SPB4L: 

          Responsibility

     We can do this by:

• Caring for the school environment
• Caring for personal belongings
• Being accountable for one’s own actions

Teacher Professional Learning - Its importance based on world wide studies

Education is an ever changing field. The knowledge that we now possess about how children learn and what they need to be successful learners is far greater than that of 10 or 15 years ago. For students to be successful, schools must have a clear strategic intent of ensuring that teachers are highly skilled and knowledgeable in their craft. At Good Samaritan we are committed to the professional learning of our teachers.

Finnish schools have now humbly led the PISA (Program for International Student Assessment) since the year 2000. A strong element to their success is their commitment to sustained improvement of their school systems which includes the professional learning of teachers.

If you were to think about any type of professional field eg: doctors, radiologists, dentists etc you would expect that they would have to keep up to date with the latest trends, methods and technical advice possible in order to maintain the demands of their profession successfully. In education, teachers also need to do the same.

A significant part of a teacher’s work is to maintain his/her accreditation to teach and also his/her understanding of what each student in the class needs in order to be a successful learner. Much of this has to be done during the school week, with teachers following up in their own time and does mean that teachers will be out of class in order to participate in such learning.

If our students are going to succeed we need to make sure that our teachers are highly trained to enable the appropriate learning environment within our school.

What do I need to know about the reports?

Semester One reports will be sent to parents on Monday 24 June. Reports are written in line with the requirements of the NSW K-10 syllabuses for the Australian Curriculum in English, Mathematics and Science. Grades are awarded to students following the Common Grade Scale. At the Parent Teacher Interview your child’s class teacher will be able to explain how the grade awarded reflects the level of work your child is currently achieving.

Further explanation of the reports is provided with the following:

It has now been a requirement of national legislation for Primary schools to provide twice-yearly written reports for students in Years 1 - 6 to parents for twelve years. These reports are to be standards-referenced which in NSW means reporting based on the Common Grade Scale. Standards-referenced reporting requires teachers to consider the performance of each student according to the standard detailed at each level (A-E) of the Common Grade Scale for each Key Learning Area (KLA).  Students are then awarded a grade based on the evidence teachers have of their learning in that particular KLA and the standard it reflects. According to the Common Grade Scale a ‘C’ grade is considered sound. That is, if awarded a C in a particular KLA the student has demonstrated that they have gained the knowledge, skills and understanding expected of them at that point in time.

Some features of the report include:

Overall grades

Each KLA has an overall grade that is determined by the teacher by considering the evidence of each student’s learning and the standard on the Common Grade Scale it reflects. Overall grades are not determined by averaging performance on strands within a KLA. In many cases more time has been dedicated to learning in one strand over others and this contributes significantly to the balanced judgement a teacher is required to make in order to award an overall grade. It is not unusual for a student’s overall grade to change from one reporting period to the next as the knowledge, skills and understanding they encounter in each KLA will vary from one reporting period to the next. The Common Grade Scale is outlined below and is also included on the front of the report.

Commitment to Learning:

This section of the report captures the student’s attitude to the particular KLA and their skills in managing their work, persisting when challenged and working to their potential. A scale explaining the three standards used in Commitment to Learning is included on the front of the report.

Strands:

The term ‘strands’ refers to the breakdown of learning within each Key Learning Area (KLA) that is presented in a grid with the options Extensive, Thorough, Sound, Limited and Basic for teachers to indicate the performance of the student within each strand. Over a reporting period some strands will have a greater focus than others, which will impact the overall grade for the KLA. In some KLAs not every strand will be covered each reporting period; those that are not covered will not appear on the report.

Comments:

There are three kinds of comments on the report:

Learning Gains – These comments use syllabus text to capture the new learning the student has demonstrated in the reporting period

Areas for Growth – These comments use syllabus text to capture the new learning the student will encounter as the ‘next step’ or ‘targeted area for growth’ on their learning path

Final Comment – The longer, final comment is written by the teacher and may cover a range of academic and non-academic areas

Positive Behaviours for Learning:

This section of the report focuses on the non-academic behaviour of the student, addressing respect, responsibility and safety. A scale is included to detail the three standards that are used to report on this aspect of the student’s behaviour.

Absences for the Semester:

This section of the report indicates the whole and partial days absent throughout the semester as recorded in the class rolls. Regular and consistent attendance at school increases the likelihood of academic and social success for children each year.

Playground Shade Structure:

During the inclement weather yesterday the school was placed in lockdown due to the shade sail coming loose and creating a safety hazard on the playground. The SES secured the sail and the playground is now safe for school use.

We will be having the sail structure repaired or replaced as soon as possible.

To ensure consistency of processes and practices across the school community, aspects of the Parent Handbook (currently under revision) will be published in each week’s newsletter.

Working With Children Check (WWCC)

In order for the school to ensure that all staff and volunteers have the necessary WWCC, all parents who wish to volunteer are asked to click here and follow the links to complete the necessary paperwork in order to remain as a volunteer within the school. Once completed the school will maintain a register of parents who are able to volunteer within the school. This includes classroom assistance, excursions, camps, canteen, Library assistance and helping at carnivals.

The declaration will also be available in hard copy at the school office but parents are encouraged to visit the CEDoW site and follow the correct ‘tree’ after answering some simple questions.

Adjustments to Staffing: Drama Lessons

For the remainder of Term 2 Mrs Rachael Hobbs will take Drama lessons as timetabled each week.

Congratulations to Gabriella G, Axel A, Hayden H, Noah S and Zane T who trialled with distinction, at the Touch Trials at St Mary's last Friday. The quality of touch was very high from all competitors. Zane T was successful in being selected into the MacKillop team. Well done Zane!

Good Samaritan is beginning to establish an active social media presence that will record the participation of students within class, school and inter-school events/activities whilst also celebrating student effort and achievement.

Please know that:

1. You have consented to the official school Facebook and Instagram sites if you have previously given consent with the completion of the Consent Form for Use of Student’s Image and/or Work
2. You are required to inform the school if you want to amend the above consent
3. If you receive a the Consent Form on Friday please return it as a priority
4. If you do not consent please ensure that your child is aware so they are not confused when asked to sit out of a photograph
5. The sites are school managed and moderated and are also official sites in accordance with the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong Social Media Policy

Thank you for your support in us establishing our social media presence within the wider community.

Year 1 experimented with Monoprinting fish and used these fish in their collaged fish tanks. Well done Keanu, Sam, Gabriella, Claudia and Sienna.

Year 6 Scratch board printing by Natasha, Molly and Dakota.

Year 3 were inspired by Micky McCrae a 19th century Aboriginal artist. Well done Marcus, Dia, Chloe, Calli, Bede and Dylan.

Mrs Susan McAlister

Art Teacher

Good Samaritan are introducing girls winter long pants. They are available in the uniform shop from Thursday 30 May 2019.

The sizes available are size 4 to 14, limited stock this winter.

The cost is $41.00.

Uniform Shop normal opening hours are:

Monday 8.30am - 9.30am

Thursday 2.15pm - 3.15pm

Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 students should continue wearing sports uniform on Tuesdays and Fridays.

If however any Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 students are participating in the AFL Auskick they may wear their sports uniform on Wednesdays as well, starting this week.