A Look at Learning

Mrs Theresa Grills

SORA

As we commence a new year, please remember that all students have access to SORA, our digital library platform. Simply access your app store and download SORA. Once in the app you will need to add our Library by searching for:

ACEN Member Collection

or select

I have a setup code (at the bottom of the screen)

YOUR SETUP CODE IS: CENETAU

You will be prompted to:

Sign into your school
Select ACEN Member Collection from the drop down menu.
Log in using your own personal username and password

Username: is your school email address

Password: is the same password that you use to log into your Chromebooks every day at school!

NSW Premiers Reading Challenge

Each Year our students are given the opportunity to take part in the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge. The 2023 challenge is now open until Friday 18th August, and is used to encourage students to foster a love of reading.

The Premiers reading challenge allows students to register their books read from a set booklist online. If they read a set number of books, they receive a certificate from the NSW Premier. After four years of participation in this event the student will receive a gold certificate. The children who participate are also listed on an online honour roll each year and some names are published in the Sydney morning herald.

In order for this to happen and for your child to receive their certificate, consent needs to be provided the event in compass. Information regarding the NSW Premiers Reading Challenge and book lists can be found on the NSW Education website or by contacting Karen Faint at the school. Participants will be provided with their own personal PRC login and password - please note this will be the same as last year's login details.

For more information please visit:

www.premiersreadingchallenge.nsw.edu.au

Changes to reports.

Changes to Reporting with the New K-2 Syllabus

Since 2020 the NSW Curriculum Reform has been shaping a new K-2 Syllabus. This year, our K-2 teachers have been implementing the new English and Mathematics Syllabus. The new curriculum gives students more time to focus on key concepts so they can acquire a deeper understanding of essential knowledge and skills. It ensures students develop strong foundations for learning as they prepare for life and work in a complex and fast-changing world.

The new syllabuses emphasise key concepts, identify essential knowledge and skills and include new outcomes to clearly show what is essential. To reflect the outcomes of the new English and Mathematics syllabuses, the language of the Semester 1 reports will change. Please see the tables below which compare the outcomes and language of the old and new syllabuses. If you have a child in Kindergarten, Year 1 or Year 2, these are the areas that you will see on your child’s report.

Mathematics Language from the Older Syllabus	Mathematics Language in the New Syllabus
Working Mathematically	Representing Whole Number
Number & Algebra	Combining & Separating Quantities
Measurement & Geometry	Forming Groups
Statistics & Probability	Geometric Measure
	2D Spatial Structure
	3D Spatial Structure
	Non-spatial Measure
	Data
	Chance (only in Year 1 & 2)

English Language from the Older Syllabus	English Language in the New Syllabus
Speaking & Listening	Oral Language & Communication
Reading & Viewing	Vocabulary
Writing & Representing	Phonological Awareness (Kindergarten only)
	Print Conventions (Kindergarten only)
	Phonic Knowledge
	Reading Fluency
	Reading Comprehension
	Creating Written Texts
	Handwriting
	Spelling
	Understanding & Responding to Literature

Not all of the outcomes will have been covered in classes during Term 1 & 2. This will be reflected on your child’s report. These outcomes will be addressed during the next semester.

Student led Conferences.

You’ve heard of Parent Teacher Interviews, of course! Here at St. Mary of the Angels we are changing the format of these meetings and they will now be known as…

Student Led Conferences

So what does this mean for you, your child and the teacher?

The most obvious change is that the student will be the facilitator of the conversation with parents/carers being there to listen to student goals, reflections and hear about some goals for their future learning. The teacher will be there to assist the student to present and to keep parents on track as active listeners and participants.

You will still book a conference time using the Compass App on your phone or device with your child’s teacher, please ask for assistance if you are unable to confidently navigate Compass.

During class time, teachers will give students time and assistance to prepare for the conference and it is expected that they will be ready for the meeting. Some of the things students could discuss at the conference include:

a work sample of which they are proud
a work sample they found challenging
strengths and weaknesses in their learning behaviours
subject areas they feel confident in
subject areas in which they feel they could improve
goals they feel they have met in Semester 1
goals they will set for Semester 2
their Semester 1 report

In formatting our Parent/Teacher/Student conferences in this manner, we are aiming to foster a sense of pride, responsibility and accountability in our St. Mary of the Angels’ students whilst in an open, supportive environment. When parents are actively involved in the conversation regarding their child’s learning, the child can be supported by the many adults invested in their progress and well-being.

The student-led conference protocol will be available for viewing outside of the parochial hall and on the screen whilst conferences are being held. If a parent requires a teacher feedback meeting, they will be requested to arrange this for another time.