Student Learning
Annabelle Marinelli - Deputy Principal & Learning and Teaching Leader
Writers Festival
Last week some of our Year 5/6 students attended the Writers Festival. This was a wonderful opportunity for our senior students to listen to a variety of talented and well known authors in a spectacular setting. It was a full day at the State Library and the students were privileged to listen to children's authors and illustrators Lev Grossman, Sofie Laguna and Marc McBride, Brenton McKenna, and Zana Fraillon, who presented and shared their stories, backgrounds and passion for writing and/or art.
Here are some pictures from the day:
Here is a reflection from Jax S in Year 5:
"The Melbourne Writers Festival was the best! I got to meet 5 authors whose books were amazing! I got to learn all about the four authors and their stories. One of the books is The Glow made by Sofie Laguna And Marc McBride. During their presentation of their book, Marc McBride was painting an amazing dragon picture that we won! Overall, the Melbourne Writers Festival was amazing and I wish to go there again next year!"
We look forward to seeing the enthusiasm from this day result in some great joy in reading and students producing some inspirational writing pieces of their own.
Showcasing Student Writing
It is always a pleasure and privilege to read creative and well structured student writing across the school.
Here is a piece from Douglas in Year 6 that he wrote this week:
The Midnight Terror
I dug my head into the pillow and let out a groan. All around me was pitch black, except for the streak of light on my pillow from the moon’s light shining through the window. No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t get my eyes to slam shut and my mind to shut down. The sound of my brother, Bob’s snoring, was like a groaning dog that just wouldn’t stop. I felt restless and tired at the same time. I just couldn’t deal with this all night.
As I stepped out of bed, the floorboards creaked beneath me. My feet felt like they were stepping on solid ice as I headed to the bathroom. I twisted the tap letting the water run freely. Then I cupped my hands under the running water and brought it to my face. The feeling of the cold water hitting my face felt refreshing. As I turned the tap off, I heard something strange. The hairs on my neck stood up straight.
The sound was loud and frightening. It sounded like Bob’s snoring, but quieter and more inconsistent. Gradually, I pulled the sliding-door to the bathroom open creating a long, slow creaking sound. Instantly, as I looked up, I let out a loud, high-pitched screech! My heart was like a band of drummers and my throat was as dry as a desert. Without thinking, I leapt onto my bed and threw my blanket over me.
Under my blanket, I could hear my heavy breathing, and still see the creature in my mind. It was like a white blob with deep dark eyes and a deep dark mouth. Both the eyes and mouth seemed like black-holes, swallowing anything, everything yet still had space for more. It was a ghost! The hairs on my neck were still tingling; and I shivered viciously at the thought of the terrifying creature.
Suddenly, I let out another heart-trembling scream! Cold air suddenly rushed past my body as my blanket was ripped from my body. I looked up and let out yet another screech. The sight of the ghost was too much for me to bear. The sheer terror of the sight made me want to leap from my bed and hide in the cupboard. But I didn’t.
I had finally calmed myself down when I was hit with another surprise. A voice came from the ghost! It sounded somewhat familiar. It said, ”Praise me, the God of Ghosts, or you will have to fear the worst.” I was just about to let out my fourth scream when I realised the truth. My face turned tomato red with embarrassment.
The ‘ghost’ let out barks of laughter as I sat on my bed like an out-of-place rock. It was Bob the whole time! “I can’t believe you fell for it!” he exclaimed, as tears of laughter streamed from his eyes as he slowly took off his costume. I felt like ripping his head from his body for what he had done to me. Luckily for him, I resisted the urge.
Douglas
Year 6BOC
Parent Helpers
Thank you to our wonderful parent helpers who have been helping with our swimming program and commenced working with students in classes to support with reading across the school. If you have a Working With Children Check and you would like to help too, please email or come and see me, or your child's Class Teacher.
Grandparents/Special Person Day
Yesteday we welcomed our Grandparents and Special People into our classooms. Thank you for joining us and spending your valuable time with us. Have a look at the Religious Education page in this week's newsletter for some lovely photos from the morning.
NAPLAN Update
Some new changes to NAPLAN:
We have had an update from the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) in regards to NAPLAN (National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy) and the reporting of results for 2023.
There are some new revisions which aim to improve the accuracy of results. In addition, a set of four achievement levels (proficiency standards) will be introduced to replace the existing 10 bands and the National Minimum Standard used for NAPLAN reporting between 2008 and 2022.
This change will provide schools, parents, and carers with clearer information that details student achievement against new proficiency standards. The standards for NAPLAN 2023 and for all testing moving forward are as follows:
· Exceeding
· Strong
· Developing
· Needs additional support.
These standards will represent a reasonable expectation of what students at each year level know and can do at the time of NAPLAN testing.
From 2023, NAPLAN reports will more accurately reflect the personalised (adaptive) online tests that students undertake, and will facilitate the provision of timely, more precise reporting on the foundational skills of literacy and numeracy.
The new standards will provide simple and clear information for parents and carers about whether their child is where they need to be in relation to the development of their literacy and numeracy skills.
When are NAPLAN results expected to be released?
In Victoria, NAPLAN 2023 school and individual student results are expected to be released by mid-late July 2023.
How will NAPLAN results be provided to students, parents, and carers?
Hard copies of student reports will continue to be distributed to all students who completed the NAPLAN 2023 tests. The individual reports will incorporate the four new proficiency standards, along with information on interpreting the new scale and student performance.
National Simultaneous Storytime
On Wednesday 24th May, all students from Prep to Year 6 will be involved in National Simultaneous Storytime. For more information please access the link: https://www.alia.org.au/Web/Web/Events/Event_Display.aspx?EventKey=NSS2023
Learning Events in Term 2
- Careers Week in Week 4 with a special Dress Up Day on Wednesday 17th May
- National Simultaneous Storytime Wednesday 24th May
- Reports sent home Monday 19th June
- Student Led Conversations Thursday 22nd June
If at any time you have any questions or concerns about your child's learning, I encourage you to make a time to chat with your child's class teacher, or to come and see me if you would like to chat about any aspect of learning at Trinity.
Kind Regards,
Annabelle Marinelli
Deputy Principal - Learning & Teaching Leader