What a Week!

It’s been a jam-packed week full of hard work, a new prep student starting , a number of school tours, student assessments, new prep orientation #3, excursions, Catholic Education ‘Prayer for Creation’ staff meeting, Education Advisory Board meeting, a visit from the leadership team from St Brendan’s, Annual Review Meetings for staff, ride to school day, Dr Maithili science sessions and of course, we end on a high note with our school disco this afternoon.

Phew! The long weekend has come just at the right time!

Thanks Miss Kempton for organising the ride to school day and for encouraging the disco dress up for 'vehicles'. Thanks also to Laura and Jade for organising this afternoon's disco- how exciting!

Prep Excursion to Fruit Nest

Miss M, Mr Earl and Miss Nancy had a great time with our beautiful preps earlier this week, as they went on a shopping expedition to Fruit Nest on Glenferrie Road. Each student took along $2 spends, and each purchased a piece of fruit for recess snack. They thoroughly enjoyed counting their change and using their own money to make purchases. Thanks to Czes and Christine for being so accommodating and patient with our preps!

It's That Time of Year...

The long weekend for Melbourne Cup traditionally marks the report writing period for our teachers, and they are all well underway preparing end of year reports for their students. We have spent much of our professional development time this year analysing various data sets, from standardised ACER testing and also teacher assessments in English and Mathematics.

Yesterday our teachers gathered after school with a writing piece from each student in their grade, in order for us to level writing according to the Victorian Curriculum. It was amazing to see the range of work produced by our talented children, with many working at least a year above the curriculum standard for their age group. The process of moderation is the practice of teachers sharing and developing their understanding of what learning looks like by examining examples of different types and quality of students’ work and comparing these with formal standards and success criteria (the Victorian Curriculum F-10 Achievement Standards). Moderation enables discussion about:

• How to interpret the Victorian Curriculum F-10 Achievement Standards

• What students need to learn to meet Standards

• What success looks like at each level

During the next two weeks, we will also be conducting our end of year testing which primarily consists of ACER PAT testing (Progressive Achievement Tests). At St. Joseph’s, a high priority is given to the school-wide analysis and discussion of systematically collected data on student outcomes from these tests. Progressive Achievement Tests are a series of tests designed to provide objective, norm-referenced information to teachers about their students’ skills and understandings in a range of key areas; our analysis focuses on assessing and monitoring student growth over time and is underpinned by an understanding that students of the same age and in the same year of school can be at very different points in their learning and development.

Our teachers use all of this data to make an informed decision about where to place a child on the learning continuum associated with each subject in the Victorian Curriculum, therefor a range of data is always used. Once again our early analysis shows that our children are, on average, working above (and well above) the average for each year level in the curriculum. I do hope the staff manage to get some rest over the 'long weekend', with Monday an official report writing day for teachers.

Meet the Staff #2

Marta Cummings- Art Specialist

Qualifications: Bachelor of Education (Primary) University of Melbourne

A bit about Marta: I have two daughters Olympia (5 years old) and Zara (3 years old). Olympia started school this year and Zara is in 3 year old kinder with Miss Stacey at MMK. My husband Patrick runs a window furnishing company. I did 10 years of intense classical ballet at a Russian ballet school throughout my years at Primary and Secondary school. It was every night after school and all day on a Saturday. My family is from Lithuania and was also a part of the Lithuanian scouts from about 3 years old. Scouts included a 2-week scout camp every year where we would do overnight hikes, swim in rivers, learn how to build things and how to survive in the wild. I love anything adventurous. I love skiing and I love to go hiking. My biggest hiking achievement was climbing Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Last year I walked the overland trail with my husband. The wilderness and landscape was incredible! I have played basketball my whole life, I love running and for the last 5 years I have been very into yoga. In 2018 I completed a yoga 30-day challenge.

What do you love about St Joseph’s? St Joseph's is like a big family. It does take a village to raise a child and our village is awesome!

Tim Lappin- Sport Specialist

Qualifications: Monash University- Bachelor in Primary Education and Bachelor in Sport and Outdoor Recreation

A bit about Tim: I grew up in country Victoria (Wangaratta) and moved to Melbourne after finishing high school. I've previously played football and still continue to play cricket on weekends. Other hobbies I enjoy are spending time with my 2 year old daughter, travelling, fishing and catching up with friends.

What do you love about St Joseph’s? With being new to the school this year, everyone has been super friendly and very welcoming.

Kathryn Sinker- Music Specialist

Qualifications: BMus(Hons) Welsh College of Music and Drama; PGSE(Secondary) Cardiff University

A bit about Kathryn: I am a flautist/singer who has taught music to students in both Primary and Secondary schools for over 10 ten years. I played as a professional musician before realising I enjoyed sharing my passion for music with young people. I have taught in the UK, Dubai, Vietnam and now Australia!

What do you love about St Joseph’s? As soon as a walked through the gates on my first day of teaching I felt welcomed into the St Joseph's family. It really is a wonderful community!

Josie Gleeson- Italian Specialist

Qualifications: Bachelor of Education

A bit about Josie: Italian parents. English was my second language.I love painting, gardening and swimming.

What do you love about St Joseph’s? Staff, children and parents!

"The Global Kitchen"...(take two)

Fresh from the printers and hot off the press is the updated version of "The Global Kitchen". Thanks Sarah...it's amazing!

Wishing you all a wonderful long weekend ahead. Can you believe we only have 29 and a bit days left until the Christmas holidays?!! Let's make the most of the last few weeks with our wonderful Grade 6 students!

See you all next Wednesday,

Michelle

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