News from our
Assistant Principal
Louise Gordon
NAPLAN Online 2023
Students in Years 3 and 5 will participate in the Naplan Online Tests commencing from Wednesday 15th March. The online testing period will conclude on Friday 24th March . The NAPLAN tests are designed to provide a summative, nationally comparable understanding of student performance in writing, reading, conventions of language and numeracy.
NAPLAN Online provides better assessment, more precise results and a faster turnaround of information. NAPLAN Online is a tailored test that adapts to student responses, presenting students with questions that may be more or less difficult depending on their ability – resulting in better assessment and more precise results. Students will have the opportunity to participate in a series of online practice tests prior to the testing date.
Students will require a set of working headphones for test participation.The student reports for parents will be distributed once they have been received by the school.
If you have any further questions please contact your child’s class teacher.
Parents please view the following information which is available as a downloadable NAPLAN information for parents and carers brochure (PDF 141 KB) and a Simple English NAPLAN information for parents and carers brochure (PDF 125 KB).
Implementation of the New K- 2 English and Mathematics Syllabus
This year the new K- 2 English and Mathematics Syllabuses have been implemented in Years K- 2.
The new syllabuses emphasise key concepts, identify essential knowledge and skills, and include new outcomes to clearly show what is essential for students to learn as global citizens in a changing world. This year teachers will be participating in professional learning to implement the new English and Mathematics 3-6 Syllabus in 2024.
K- 2 English Syllabus
The new K- 2 English Syllabus recognises that for most students, oral language comes before written language. Oral language outcomes and content are inclusive of students whose primary communication is not through speaking and listening.
A focus on reading ‘fluency’ is a key component of building strong foundations in literacy. There is an emphasis on writing and ensuring that students have a clear understanding of how to create sentences using an extensive vocabulary. Literature’ is highlighted as essential in the development of core knowledge for the subject English. Listening to and using literature can foster an understanding, appreciation and love of reading.
K- 2 Mathematics Syllabus
The K- 2 Mathematics Syllabus has a focus on developing reasoning skills to support a deeper understanding of mathematical skills and strategies.
Content is structured to highlight the parallel connections across Number and Algebra, Measurement and Space, and Statistics and Probability, underpinned by the latest research.The new syllabus affirms the strong evidence base of outcomes and content, with an increased emphasis on place value.
Further information for parents can be found at:
Amadeus Music Program
Last week the students in Years 3-6 were allocated their musical instruments with much excitement. The Amadeus Program commenced this week and the tutorials began to take place. Thank you for your understanding and patience as details and organisational aspects of the program are addressed and implemented. It promises to be an exciting experience for the students and evoke "curiosity" as they learn a new skill.
Learning Books
Student Learning books will be sent home at the end of Week 6 and Mathematics books at the end of Week 8 to assist parents to celebrate their child’s engagement in learning. Student work samples across the Curriculum Areas serve as a form of formative assessment identifying student strengths and areas for growth.
Parents are encouraged to view their child’s work and have conversations to praise and support them in planning future learning goals.
After School Dismissal
Parents, if you or your child uses the crossing on Port Hacking Road in the morning or afternoon, please do nottrespass across the property of the units opposite the crossing. We have had several complaints from the occupants of these units that students are walking through their property on their way to or from school.
Yesterday a number of students crossed through the property and were playing their new instruments outside some of the resident's windows.
Please remind your children that:
1. Instruments need to remain in the cases and NOT to be taken out before they get home. 2. To NOT trespass through the grounds of the unit block.
Louise Gordon | Assistant Principal