Term 3 Week 10 Newsletter 16 September 2022
From our Principal
We have made it to the end of another successful Term at Thangool SS. Make the most of the break, spend time with your loved ones, and help the kids to recharge their batteries for the last 10 weeks! Have a safe and restful break - we will see you back on Tuesday 4th October 2022.
Parent Teacher Interviews
Thanks to those parents who are able to meet with their children’s teacher this week. It’s lovely to have this open communication forum to discuss your child’s learning goals and progress in Term 3.
Keep a watch out these School Holidays
Parents and students can help take care of our school by reporting any suspicious after-hours activity to School Watch on 13 17 88. By keeping an eye out, we can work together to create a safer school community and help to reduce vandalism, theft and arson in our school. If you see something suspicious, please don’t intervene. Call the School Watch number and let the local Police or State Government Security Service deal with the matter.
Have a wonderful break.
Fiona
From our HOC
Homework Changes
As part of our inquiry project into the Science of Reading and Visible Learning, our staff have evaluated the effectiveness of some long-established teaching practices. Using the research of John Hattie, we have examined our homework policy and the impact it has on improving student outcomes. John Hattie states that homework has an effect size of 0.29, (0.15 in primary schools).
An effect size is a measure of impact. The higher the number, the greater the impact, with the best teaching practices having effect sizes greater than 0.4.
John Hattie states in regards to homework, “The key is that this highlights the importance for schools to now evaluate the effectiveness of its primary homework practice… there is an invitation (indeed an imperative) to try an alternative set of practices re. homework – and evaluate their impact on learning, involvement in learning, and increasing the students (and parents) understanding about the language of learning.”
Therefore, based on this research, we have re-evaluated our approach to homework, and for the next ten weeks, we are trialling a ‘No Homework’ term, with our focus on implementing activities with higher effect sizes. These activities may include across the school:
Reading
- Exposure to reading – 0.43
- Re-reading – 0.53
- Reading comprehension – 0.54
- Phonics 0.57
It is important to note that reading is not classed as homework and given how critical reading is to all aspects of a successful life, every child will still be involved in reading activities every night.
While in the upper years, in preparation for Highschool, students may be exposed to projects that relate to extra curricula activities that focus on:
- Note-taking 0.51
- Self-regulated learning 0.59
- Outlining and Summarising activities 0.71
We will be seeking feedback from parents and students next term in regards to our trial. If you have any questions or would like further information regarding the changes to homework, please contact your child’s teacher.
End of Term 3 Assembly
Term 4 Date Claimers
Community Flyers
