Around The Primary
Dear Parents,
Our Year 3 and 5 students completed the Writing NAPLAN assessment on Tuesday 11 May and next week the testing will continue in Reading, Convention of Language and Numeracy.
Here at school, we have continued to reinforce that assessments like these are nothing to be worried about and that as long as we give our very best effort that is all we can ask of our children. The article attached from Michael Grose outlines some good common-sense advice.
Thank you for keeping your children at home when they are sick. A child who is unwell or beginning to feel unwell is better staying at home. Being unwell at school is miserable! They don't learn well, if at all, and they spread their germs with their peers. I can assure you, a day or two at home will have no impact on their schooling, and more importantly they will recover much more quickly.
Primary Absentees Notification Reminder
The College is to be advised of absentees by 8:30am via email to primary.absentees@johnxxiii.edu.au or via the College website Online Absentee Form under the ‘For Parents’ tab. Please include – date, student’s name, student’s class, parent’s name and reason for absence from school.
I hope many students (and parents) will come along to Cross-Country training next Tuesday and Thursday morning. Our energetic students always enjoy participating in this training at this time of the year. Mr Williams and other staff have been wonderful in offering their time in leading these early morning sessions. We also look forward to seeing many Year 6 Leaders participating and taking an active role to support and motivate the younger students.
Kind regards,
Antoinette De Pinto
Head of Primary
Dates to Remember
| Monday 17 May - Thursday 20 May | NAPLAN – please refer to below schedule |
Please check the College Website to note all the important Primary school events for your family calendar. http://www.johnxxiii.edu.au/view/for-parents/calendars
2021 Primary NAPLAN Testing Schedule - Year 3 & 5
Monday 17 May | Tuesday 18 May | Wednesday 19 May | Thursday 20 May | |
| Writing | ||||
| Reading | Y3 & Y5 Reading Assessment | Reading Assessment Catch up | ||
| Conventions of Language | Y3 & Y5 Conventions of Language Assessment | Conventions of Language Assessment Catch up | ||
| Numeracy | Y3 & Y5 Numeracy Assessment | Numeracy Assessment Catch up |
Counsellor’s Corner
This term across the Primary School we are exploring Relationships which is the second Focus Area of the Keeping Safe Program.
Students explore what it means to have rights and responsibilities. Children’s rights are introduced by looking at what they need to be healthy and safe, and identifying the responsibility adults have in keeping children safe.
Children explore their personal identity and the importance of respecting diversity. They begin to understand the connections they have with their family and friends and explore these relationships. The concepts of bullying, fair and unfair, and power are all introduced. Children explore age-appropriate social issues to identify situations where there has been an abuse of power in a relationship and to demonstrate appropriate actions to take.
The language of safety is an important aspect and non-blaming language is encouraged. Children develop an understanding of trust and trusted networks to consider who will listen to them and help them when they feel unsafe. Children explore a range of people who they may not know, but who may be able to help them
Parents can support their child by helping them;
- understand that we all have rights, e.g. the right to be safe, the right to be cared for, the right to be listened to
- know the difference between things they may want such as chocolate or toys, and things they need such as food, a bed and a safe place to live
- understand relationships with their family, friends and others, and safe ways to interact (if consensual and trusted), e.g. hug, kiss, shake hands, wave
- recognise what bullying behaviour looks like and what to do if they or someone else is being bullied, e.g. tell the person to stop, walk away, talk to a trusted adult
- understand that personal power can be used positively and negatively, e.g. letting another child join in the game, not taking turns on the slippery dip
- know what to do if someone tells them to do something that feels unsafe
- identify trusted people at home, in the family, at school and in the community. Include a support service such as Kids Helpline
- practise talking to the people on their trusted network and know how to get help if they need it.
- Useful resources:
http://tiny.cc/UNCRC-Simplified
Information from KS:CPC | Parent and carer fact sheet
If you have any queries or concerns about the Keeping Safe Program, please contact me via phone: 9383 0469 or email anne.murphy@cewa.edu.au
Mrs Anne Murphy
Primary Counsellor
Parents' Association - Inspire
The John XXIII College Parents’ Association funds a program of speakers and educators who discuss a range of relevant social issues affecting young people and their families. The program at the College originated in 2013 in response to a request from the College Leadership team to promote more parent engagement and to address arising social issues affecting the students and their parents/guardians.
The current Inspire Committee is represented by parents in Secondary and we are seeking the input and support of a Primary school parent or guardian. If you have ideas about how the College Inspire program can support our Primary community and would like to be involved, please contact Jodi Mills via email bjmills@iinet.net.au. It is not a big-time commitment, but it is rewarding and a great way to be connected with the College community.
Sports Update
Cross Country Training - Years 3 to 6
Starts Week 6 (25 May), every Tuesday and Thursday morning, 7:30am to 8:00am. Runners from Years 3 to 6 are to meet outside the St Louis Sports Centre (Gym) and parents are more than welcome to join us for a run! Younger siblings are welcome to join but must be accompanied by a parent. Runners will have time to change after training and the canteen will be available for students to purchase a breakfast snack.
‘Around the Grounds’
Send in a picture of your children getting active outside of school or any sporting achievements to be displayed on our ‘Around the Grounds’ display near the Year 6 classrooms.
Mr Steve Williams
Primary Sport Coordinator
Primary Music
Our Year Two students are currently learning about instruments of the orchestra. This week, the students learnt about string instruments, such as a violin and cello.
If you have any queries regarding Primary music, please contact me via email catherine.haydon@cewa.edu.au
Mrs Catherine Haydon
Primary Music Teacher