Term 2, Week 1 - 21st April, 2022
From the Principal
Dear families,
Welcome to Term 2! Wishing you a happy and blessed Easter. Pope Francis' message for Easter 2022 is the need for peace in our world, “We need the crucified and risen Lord so that we can believe in the victory of love and hope for reconciliation. Today, more than ever, we need him to stand in our midst and repeat to us: ‘Peace be with you!’”
INSPIRE Maths Professional Development Day
On Tuesday, we travelled to Toowoomba to work with other educators from the Toowoomba Diocese.
The day was split into three sections focusing on the topics of Differentiation, Problem Solving, Flipped Learning and METS (Mathematics, Engineering, Technology and Science) tasks.
We "dug deeper" into how we can continue to promote problem solving classrooms by exploring mathematical mindset practices, creating challenging & open ended maths tasks and the benefits of providing students with that time to struggle. That last point may be of interest to many and is something we have been exploring in great detail throughout our implementation of the INSPIRE Maths strategy at St Maria Goretti. Our classrooms are places where mistakes are valued (and explored), questions are encouraged (to promote a deeper conceptual understanding) and providing students that time to think and time to struggle is identified as an important part of the learning process.
At St Maria Goretti we strive for a THINKING CLASSROOM...
…problem-solving was treated as an isolated practice that occurred after concepts have been taught; often focusing on teaching particular problem-solving strategies. (Dooley et al., 2014)
(Mimicking)
… Allowing the subject to be problematic means allowing students to wonder why things are, to inquire, to search for solutions, and to resolve incongruities. It means that both curriculum and instruction should begin with problems, dilemmas, and questions for students. (Hiebert, et al, 1996, p. 12)
(THINKING!)
Source: Youcubed.org
NAPLAN Online 2022
Below you will find a link with some information for parents and carers regarding the upcoming NAPLAN Online assessments for students in Year 3 and Year 5.
This year we will be running NAPLAN in Week 4 of Term 2 (starting the 10th of May). Students have started practice tests so that they become familiar with the online platform.
Students, teachers, parents and carers are invited to use the public demonstration tests to familiarise themselves with the types of questions and related functionalities available in the online NAPLAN assessment.
Public demonstration site (nap.edu.au)
ANZAC DAY March - Monday April 25th
Please join us for our whole school march this ANZAC Day. All the details for the march including times are below. The ANZAC Day march is a wonderful way to demonstrate community involvement and pride and I strongly encourage everyone to attend to represent our school this ANZAC Day.
Recent School Updates
- COVID update: We currently have no staff members in isolation. One student is currently in isolation as a close contact.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Yours in education,
Casey Robinson
Principal
“Put kind constructions where you can, and where you cannot, be silent.” (Mary MacKillop, 1878).
Term 2 in the Library
We are excited to be back to our Thursday browse and borrow sessions! Today we shared some great picture books which broke open information about the Gallipoli campaign and how those left at home thought of their loved ones when baking biscuits to send overseas.
This term we will;
* celebrate National Simultaneous Storytime in May
* enjoy student led book talks
* work on information skills
Thanks for supporting your students with their free choice reading at home by; reading aloud, chatting about their reading and library choices and making time for them to simply read.
Anne Anderson
Teacher Librarian
Students of the Week - Week 10 of Term 1
Congratulations to Will (Year 1) and Maddie (Year 4)!
Students of the Week - Week 1 of Term 2
Congratulations to Tayla (Prep) and Jaxon (Year 6)!
Term 1 Homework Awards
Well done to the 3-6 students who committed to their learning by completing their homework in Term 1!
Term 1 Reading Awards
Well done to these READING ROCKSTARS who all showed positive growth in their reading results.
Letters and Sounds Award
Congratulations to Sophia (Prep) on her wonderful sound letter knowledge!
Happy Birthday
Parent Partnership Forum
Chairperson: Christine Apted
Secretary: Corinne McPherson
Next meeting: Thursday 28th April, 3:30pm in the P-2 classroom
Please see Christine, Corinne or Casey if you would like anything added to the agenda.
Notices
Our Lady of the Southern Cross Parish - Mass Times
Sunday 24th April - 10am - Mass
Sunday 1st May - 9am - Lay lead liturgy
Saturday 7th May - 5:30pm Mass
Sunday 15th May - 9am - Lay Lead Liturgy
Sunday 22nd May - 9am - Mass