Teaching and Learning
FINISHING OFF NAPLAN
This week sees the NAPLAN assessment period come to a close with a number of catch-up sessions being conducted.
Well done to all students in Grades 3 and 5 for their efforts in having a go at the tasks and working through periods of challenge. It is credit to the students and their teachers for building the resilience and necessary strategies to take on these activities with a growth mindset…. Well done. A big thankyou to the parents who have assisted in providing support at home in the lead up to each day.
In terms of what happens next, reports will be back with schools later in Term 2 and official reports will be provided for all students in Term 3. This year there is a new report for students who sit NAPLAN which will arrive earlier and be easier to read indicating the level of proficiency for students at each level; Exceeding, Strong, Developing and Needs Attention. We look forward to sharing these with parents when they arrive.
PLANNING WEEK
Next week (27/3 - 31/3) we have a modified timetable for all students across both campuses. This time has been organised to assist each year level team to spend time together reflecting student progress during Term 1 and getting some much-needed planning completed for the term that lies ahead. This is valuable time for staff to make sure our learning programs are having the desired impact.
As such, the specialist program will look different than usual. Each year level will have their specialist sessions on a dedicated day and will spend time rotating around Music, PE, Art, Japanese and STEM. It is always a very exciting time for the students. On the other days of the week, it will be business as usual.
The timetable is:
Monday: Grade 5/6 and SC3
Tuesday: Grade 3/4 and SC2
Thursday: Grade Prep
Friday: Grade 1/2 and SC1
Individual Education Plans
During first term, staff have been busy gathering information about students to assist in building effective learning plans for the year ahead. This has included some testing, lots of observations, meeting with previous teachers, discussing needs with parents at our Meet and Greet, scrolling through specialist reports and transition details and the myriad of other actions that enable a clear picture to be created.
This has led to Individual Education Plans (IEPs) being developed for students who require extra assistance or challenge, or those who meet certain departmental requirements. (Out of Home Care etc).
These IEPs are basically a plan that is put in place so that parents and the school are clear as to what the plan is moving forward for those students who require them. They will appear on your Compass parental portal.
The IEPs include:
- Strengths of the student
- Challenges the student faces
- Long term goals
- Short term goals
- Strategies and adjustments that will be put in place to support the student
- Goal reflection and review
If your child has had an IEP developed for them, your classroom teacher will be in touch by the end of term to talk you through it.
COMPASS - DID YOU KNOW?
It is fabulous that we have the vast majority of parents engaged with our Compass portal. It is the main communication tool used by the school. As a way of continuing to promote this platform and support everyone’s understanding of how Compass can be used, we will have articles in the newsletter on a regular basis.
If you ever need assistance with accessing your Compass parent portal, please feel free to contact our friendly office staff.
This website link is a great source of information to assist with the functionality of the Compass platform for parents. https://www.compass.education/guide#section-02
This week’s focus is on helping explain the homescreen on the Parent portal. Below are some details that will assist.
