Filter Content
Dear parents and carers,
During this week, we have been focussed on classroom-based activities.
Last Friday I attended the Rural and Remote Education Conference hosted by the NSW Department of Education in Wagga. There were a large number of participants from both government and non-government sectors in attendance.
Of particular interest was the discussion during the keynote presentation about the various stages of the motivation and engagement cycle that students move through when responding to learning that is challenging. One interesting note was that for the most part when an assignment is coming close to a due date, it is often the case that a student becomes more helpful at home …sometimes students are very able to create obstacles, that may need to be removed when working on a difficult or challenging task. Successfully completing tasks that are difficult leads to greater self-belief and hence greater effort.
Writing Project – tomorrow Miss Schneider and myself will be participating in the first session of the Writing Project being led by Colleen Caddey-Murphy from CE. We will be visiting St John Vianney School in Waramanga, and participating in workshops across the day.
You may also have had the opportunity to see the drama series currently showing on SBS called The Hunting. Whilst it is pitched at an older audience, many of the issues addressed may in some way overlap with how children make use of technology.
Please be aware that it has come to my attention that some students are making use of apps such as Snapchat to message each other outside of school. Continuing the conversation with your children about appropriate use of technology is appreciated.
As the football season draws to a close, our children have continued with their games at recess and lunch times. It has been excellent to see all age groups working together to have games during the breaks.
Yesterday, the children in K/1 enjoyed using the bikes – it was fantastic to see them take the initiative and arrange to get the bikes out and then to help each other get back into the swing of bike riding, especially when starting to peddle/move.
Open Day – we will be holding an open day on Friday August 16. This is an opportunity for family and friends to visit us at school and spend some time in class with us. Feel free to bring a friend – the flyer for the day is included in this newsletter.
Sincerely,
Uniform orders – if you would like to order additional clothing for the coming spring term, please fill the attached uniform order and return to school by Friday, 23 August 2019.
Enrolments for 2020 – if you have a child beginning school in 2020, please take the time to collect an enrolment form, complete, and return to school. Completing this process early will help us with planning for 2020 and mean that there is one less job for you to worry about as the busy end of year period comes about.
Public Speaking - our public speaking topics for this year have been announced. Children in years Yr. 2/3/4 and Yr. 5/6 will prepare a speech to present to their class. These speeches will be adjudicated and winners will represent us at the inter school event with St Mary’s School, Young.
Our children will begin presenting their speeches in their classes on August 12, in preparation for the inter school event.
Book Week – Book week is coming…
The theme for 2019 is
Reading is my secret power…
Now is the time to start thinking about the Book Character parade and what characters we might be seeing on the day. Remember to bring a copy of the book that your character appears in to the parade.
Changes to routine - Thank you to those families who are keeping us informed when children are absent from school, or there are changes to the regular routine. Please be aware that we are required to keep the rolls up to date and that thorough explanation for absences enable us to do so.
On Sunday, St Joseph’s Parish in Grenfell celebrated two special sacraments- First Holy Communion and Confirmation. It was great to see so many people there to share in the special milestones of the faith journeys of all of these young people.
____________________________________________
May you always feel as close to Jesus as you do today.
May you always count on him to gently guide you on your way. May you always trust in God to answer every single prayer. May you always feel him blessing you with tender, loving care.
Acts 2:38
Year 2/3/4 In Religious Education, students have provided some wonderful answers to question about who Jesus really was. We have also explored the sacrament of Baptism and students have demonstrated a great understanding of this sacrament as a welcoming to the church family.
In English we are exploring how we can use our prior knowledge to make predictions which can help us in our reading. Students have been working hard on writing speeches for our class Public Speaking competition next week. In spelling we have completed a range of different activities with our words, including segmenting, writing upside down and turning our words into artworks.
In Mathematics we have explored fractions and decimals. Students have enjoyed the challenge of ordering and making decimals using decimats and 100 grids. We also looked at equivalent fractions and I had some very excited students who discovered patterns with equivalent fractions.
In Creative Art, we are studying Claude Monet. The students are very impressed with his paintings. Students are making a virtual visit to France to explore where Monet lived and worked. They will put together a green screen presentation of their visit. Students also participated in the local NAIDOC group ‘design and icon’ competition and we submitted some lovely designs. Feedback from Terry Carroll was positive.
In PDH, we are keeping ourselves safe while using technology by becoming a positive digital citizen. We are also involved in another program provided by the Canberra office about positive behaviour support. Miss Yeo has been working with us on this program. Students have designed a poster called ‘How does my Engine run.
Students having fun in sport with NRL coaches.
Year 5/6 students have been investigating different ways to multiply 2 digit numbers. This week students were introduced to the area model of multiplication. This way provides a visual representation of what happens during this process.
In 2/3/4 Mathematics we have explored fractions and decimals. Students have enjoyed the challenge of ordering and making decimals using decimats and 100 grids, and ordering fractions and decimals on a numberline. We also looked at equivalent fractions using a fraction wall, I had some very excited students who discovered patterns with equivalent fractions.
Ordering fractions and decimals on a number line.
Kindergarten and year 1 students have continued exploring half and quarter. This week we used collections to show these fractions by using a model and then making the fractions using coloured counters.
Students using a blank 100 chart and placing numbers using their understanding of patterns.