Teaching and Learning
Student Free Day - Friday 29th April 2022
Each year schools receive 4 student-free days (when student instruction does not occur) for professional development, school planning and administration, curriculum development and student assessment and reporting.
On Friday 29th April, our staff took part in a full day of valuable professional development.
In the first half of the day, teachers worked with consultant Glen Pearsall, a former teacher at Eltham High School and a board member of the Curriculum Assessment Authority Victoria. Glen is the author of the best-selling And Gladly Teach, Classroom Dynamics, and The Literature Toolbox and coauthor of Literature for Life and Work Right. Glen's presentation titled 'Positive Student Behaviour' discussed Functional Behaviour Analysis (determining why students may behave the way they do) and provided a range of cooperative classroom techniques to support teachers and students.
The second half of the day was presented by mathematics education consultant Pete Sanders, an experienced primary maths educator with nearly twenty years experience teaching primary age children, most of these as a Mathematics curriculum coordinator in primary schools in the UK and in Melbourne. Recently Pete has lectured in primary mathematics at La Trobe University and is currently working as a consultant for the Mathematical Association of Victoria. Pete conducted a workshop titled 'Using Games to Differentiate and Engage Students'. Staff not only looked at the various principles of student engagement in maths, but also took part in some fantastic games that students will have the opportunity to use in classrooms.
Whole School Writing
In week 2 of Term 3, all students from Foundation to Level 6 will be writing a narrative story titled 'The Strange Egg'. The story will show how each student interprets a picture shown in a writing prompt and stimulation from another fabulous visual prompt that will mysteriously appear around the school. Teachers will be working in teams to moderate the writing according to the Victorian Curriculum standards and will come together during the term to complete a whole school moderation. The completed work will be available in your child's portfolio at the end of Term 2.
NAPLAN Level 3 and Level 5
NAPLAN is fast approaching and will take place in week 3 of Term 2. NAPLAN is a series of tests that provide information on how your child is progressing against national standards. This information can be used to identify areas in which your child may benefit from additional assistance. NAPLAN does not replace, but rather complements assessments run by your child's classroom teacher throughout the year.
Adjustments can be provided for students with a disability to enable them to access the tests on an equivalent basis to students without a disability. Some students who have been attending school in Australia for less than a year before the tests may also be eligible for exemption. Your child's teacher will discuss this with you if your child is eligible.
Wherever possible, schools will organise for individual students who are absent at the time of testing to complete missed tests at another time during the test window.
Tuesday 10th May - Writing
9.00am Level 3 Paper Test 40 minutes
9.00am Level 5 Online Test 42 minutes
Wednesday 11th May - Reading
9.00am Level 3 Online Test 45 minutes
11.30am Level 5 Online Test 50 minutes
Thursday 12th May - Conventions of Language
9.00am Level 3 Online Test 45 minutes
11.30am Level 5 Online Test 45 minutes
Friday 13th May - Numeracy
9.00am Level 3 Online Test 45 minutes
11.30am Level 5 Online Test 50 minutes
Monday 16th May - Friday 20th May
Catch-up Tests for any students that were absent
Preparation
NAPLAN tests are constructed to give students an opportunity to demonstrate skills they have learned over time through the school curriculum, and NAPLAN test days should be treated as just another routine event on the school calendar. The best way you can help your child prepare for NAPLAN is to reassure them that NAPLAN tests are just one part of their school program and to advise them to simply do the best they can on the day.
ACARA does not recommend the use of commercial products, such as booklets and practice tests, to help your child prepare for NAPLAN tests. None of the commercial products currently on the market were endorsed by ACARA. The use of services by coaching providers is not recommended.
Results
Schools generally receive their students’ NAPLAN reports from mid-August to mid-September. The school will notify you when the reports are being sent to your home.
More Information
To find out more about NAPLAN Online, visit nap.edu.au .
See the types of questions and related functionalities available in the NAPLAN Online assessment at nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site .
Kate McLeod
Assistant Principal