Term 1 Week 4 Newsletter 15 February 2024
From the Principal
Goodness, another week of teaching and learning has flown by! Routines are nailed. Learning is happening. I am very proud of our students – your children – and staff for their efforts and ‘I can’ attitudes. We are already nearly half way through the first term!
Have an awesome week everyone!
Fiona
School Mission Statement/Capable Learner
Our school mission statement forms the basis of all decisions made by the school. Our first question in all we do is always “what impact does this have on our students?”
Feedback- We provide feedback using the words Good, better and how? I encourage you to use this of an afternoon with your child when asking about their day. What was good about the day? What could have been better? How can you make that happen? This is a great way to focus on the good things in the day, hear about the challenges but also to support your child in having an action for how to address it.
Student Absences - Every Day Counts
As we start the new school year, parents are reminded of the importance of sending children to school every day. Being at school every day counts, with one day absent each week quickly adding up to two months of missed lessons in a year. Research shows that students who have a good attendance record are more likely to achieve high results and it supports with friendships. Unless your child is ill, it is expected that your child will be at school learning every day of the school year.
Medication
All staff and teachers must follow the Departmental Policy on the issue of medication to children at school. ANY medication supplied for the school to administer MUST be prescribed by a doctor, be in its original container and have an attached pharmacy label.
HOC News
HOMEWORK
Our school has evaluated the effectiveness of some long-established teaching practices and this includes homework. 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 following a trial and feedback from our Thangool families, students, teachers and the community our focus is on implementing activities with higher effect sizes. These activities 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 high school, 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
SEL News
Parent information sessions – DATE CLAIMER Monday 18th March
This year we are excited to announce we will be offering a series of parent information sessions to support understanding your child as they navigate the complexities of school life. This is an opportunity to support your child through challenges such as friendship concerns, self-esteem, building resilience and ensuring a safe place for your child to stay connected with you.
Part 1 - Foundations of connected families
· Date: Monday 18th March
· Options 9-10am or 6-7pm
Register your interest at 49900333
Sports News
Project Club News - Meal Deal
Project Club will be holding a Meal Deal on Wednesday 21st February 2024. Orders can be placed via the QKr App.
School Photos
Go for Gold Funding - Successful
Our school has purchased $5000.00 of sporting equipment for use with our Health and Physical Education programs,
Community Flyers
