26 September 2019

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPALS REPORT

NAPLAN

Recently we received our 2019 NAPLAN data. Families of students in years 3, 5, 7 and 9 should have also received their children’s individual results. Teachers are beginning the process of analysing our data and identifying areas of strength and areas requiring an increased focus.

Overall there are many areas where students’ growth has exceeded expectations with performance in most test domains trending up. A snapshot of student performance, measured by mean scores is below.

In NAPLAN tests, our Grades 3, 5, 7 and 9 students outperformed similar schools in reading, which is a testament to the work of students and teachers over the past years in this priority area. Along with this outstanding result, Grade 3 students also outperformed similar schools in writing and spelling, Grade 5 students outperformed similar schools in spelling, grammar and punctuation and numeracy and Grade 7 students performed particularly well in the grammar and punctuation test, also outperforming similar schools.

Once again, I congratulate every student for their positive participation in the NAPLAN testing and I encourage any parents who would like to discuss their child’s individual results in more detail to make an appointment through the school office to meet with your child’s teacher or a member of the school leadership team.

Country Gold Carnivals

Congratulations to the following students for their selection in the 2019 Country Gold teams.

Football - Ashton Gillies (Captain), Byron Woods, Henry Legge, Tysen Gamble, Daniel Cook, Jaxon Harrison and Connor French.
Netball – Ava Howorka, Helayna McGiveron and Angus Lockwood-Roden.
Soccer – Fletcher Mason, Bo Bryant, Cortney Smith and Alex Syka.

These students recently participated successfully in the Country Gold Carnival held in Launceston, they all demonstrated their teamwork, cooperation and leadership through their participation.

East Coast Combined Choir

Please follow the link below to share the experience that was the 2019 East Coast Combined Choir. Many thanks to Ms Bramich and Mr Wardlaw as well as the staff from all the other schools for shaping this event into a wonderful and highly rewarding experience for all.

PAT Testing

During October students from Grades 2 to 10 will be participating in online PAT Testing for reading and mathematics. The Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT) give us valuable information about progress in student learning over the past year. The data we collect helps us to know what is working really well for student learning and in what areas we need to change or improve upon.

This is really important information for our teaching and learning and we encourage students to participate in a positive way and to do their best.

If you have any questions about PAT testing, please don’t hesitate to contact the school.

Student Recognition

Last week we had the Principal, Assistant Principal and School Business Manager from Exeter High School visit our school to have a look at the results of the capital works project. As part of their visit this group spent time in secondary classrooms, the Performing Arts Centre and the student common room. As well as being very impressed with the buildings and set up of both the classrooms and the student common room they also had some words of praise to share with us about our students. The following quote sums up the thoughts they shared:

“Your students are just wonderful. You should be extremely proud of all of them and the way they have made us feel so welcome.”

Well done to all our students for their positive presentation and behaviour while at school.

Finally, I would like to wish all members of our school community a happy and safe holiday.

Kind regards,
Carolyn Watson

EAST NORTH EAST CARNIVAL

On Thursday 19th and Friday 20th September, the ENE South squad of eighteen students participated in the Country Gold Carnival at the Silverdome in Launceston. From the eighteen members, the squad was split into a Division 1 and Division 2 competition. Our Division 1 team won two out of their five games, finishing equal third on the ladder. Our Division 2 team had one win from five games, finishing fifth.

Congratulations to all members who participated. They represented our ENE Association with courage and respect. It was a tough two days of competition and the squad maintained as strong competitors. A big thank you to all families for their support throughout the training period and at the carnival.

EC1 FINGAL

Prep-Year 2 students explored different bridge designs as part of our Technology unit. We read a book about famous bridges around the world. Students worked in small groups and had to come up with their own designs which included labelling the materials and tools they were planning to use. A lot of thought and effort was invested in each construction. Through collaborative discussions, numerous tests and alterations, students were able to communicate some great ideas to each other and as a result, they created quite strong, stable and aesthetically pleasing bridges.

Asha and Illeyna

How we came up with the idea: I thought about some stools and some blocks for the stairs and we asked Miss H if we had some food for the bridge in the middle. We put some blocks on the blocks that we put around it for safety just in case someone thinks they are going to fall. We tried to make an easy one, then it collapsed. We tried to do the hard one again and it worked. We put the stools on each end of the wood so the wood doesn’t fall down. Asha walked on it first because she was the lightest and then we tried Illeyna to see if it will hold the heaviness (weight). It didn’t collapse. We named it ice-cream step bridge because we used egg cartons and cut out the pointy bits to make ice cream cones. Then we painted them all different colours. We will attach them on the side of the bridge with tape.

Layla, Lily and Elyas

Elyas came up with the idea for making this bridge. But first we thought four sandpit buckets and two blocks. But we were all too squashed up on these two blocks, so we extended it. Now it is looking great.

We put two blocks together. One long block and one block half the size of it. We attached them with sticky tape and masking tape. Then we repeated in on the other side. Then we made four different poles using one long blocks. The block is three quarters of the size. We read book about famous bridges and in the book there was a bridge with strings, so we copied the idea.

Tayah and Lexie

We got some paper rolls and we put them on cones. We sticky taped them. Then we put some string on it. Then we had another roll in the middle to attach the string to. Then we had three – one clear boxes and two blue plastic boxes. We put blocks under the clear box to hold it up, because it was going down (sagging). We used the poles so we can hold on to the string like a railing, when someone steps on the bridge they can hold on to them. Lexie put horn on top of the white middle tube because it is a Rainbow Butterfly Unicorn Kitty bridge.

EC1

GRADE PREP, ONE AND TWO MATHEMATICS IN COOKING.

We have been learning division strategies and we made truffles and had lots of fun making them and sharing them in our groups so that we all got the same.

Cooking

EARLY CHILDHOOD HPE WITH MISS BRAMICH

Through challenging and engaging activities our students have been identifying ways to coordinate their eyes, hands and body parts. Using pucks, bean bags and different sized balls, students have been developing their “eye tracking” skills. This is most important in the development of fine motor manipulative skills such as catching and holding different equipment. Adding a healthy dose of competition also makes for a motivating and fun experience. Our students are also learning about how to use the space around them with a focus on direction – left, right, forward, backward, beside, under, over and in-between. This has allowed our students to engage in circular, angular, free space and linear relay activities. What a joy to see our little ones shrieking with laughter, excited at achieving success, having the confidence to ask for help or wanting to demonstrate their learning to others.

Early Childhood HPE

FINGAL CAMPUS MUSIC WITH MISS BRAMICH

The Grade 3 – 6 class have been further deepening their music knowledge about notation. The students have been learning to explain what a “time signature” is and how to use their understanding of notes to describe 3/4 and 4/4 time. The students also learned and engaged in the dance style of ‘waltzing’. This dance style clarified the 3/4 time signature. This was lots of fun and cause for many giggles. They have also been following their method books for their chosen instrument. The students have also been working very hard to identify different pitches enabling them to tune their string instruments independently. The keyboard students are learning how to manoeuvre their correct fingers from one key to another. They are also applying their notation skills to play cords using the white and black keys. Miss Bramich has also opened the stone building at lunch times for students to have extra practice with their instrument of choice. Well done to Fingal Grade 3 – 6 students for the happy vibes, great energy, wonderful work habits and engaging conversations in Wednesday music lessons. I very much look forward to my Wednesday lessons at Fingal.

Fingal Campus music

CELEBRATING SNAPSHOTS OF LEARNING

During Term 3, teachers and students have been focussing on sharing snapshots of their learning at our Primary assemblies. Please enjoy these pictures from our recent assembly which demonstrates learning experiences across all subject areas.

Primary Assembly

LIFT

All Make a Boat that Floats entries are now available to see in our photo gallery. In the next newsletter we will share Egg Parachute entries. It is not too late to enter the challenge!

Complete our family LIFT challenge to go in the draw to win a prize from our new school prize box. Show your teacher a photo of your challenge participation (or via your class dojo) or email a photo to Mrs Mason with your name and class. rebecca.mason@education.tas.gov.au

Family members are encouraged to assist and help out where they can!

Egg Parachute

Can you design and build a parachute that can deliver your passengers safely to the ground from a height?

Boat Challenge

SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS

These notices have been sent home to parents in the last fortnight. If you did not receive one and would like to receive a copy of the notice, please contact the school office on 63 723 900.

PRIMARY

SECONDARY

Secondary Sports Exchange to St.Helens on Thursday 26th September

WHOLE SCHOOL