Dr Carmel McGrath

NFSS Principal

Achieving and Growing

Over this fortnight teachers will meet with their year level coaches and the Curriculum Coordinator to review student reading results and analyse the relative ‘growth and achievement’ comparative to Students’ 2018 Semester 2 results. Year level teams meet to discuss student progress and areas of need. Following the data discussions, teachers plan their next term’s curriculum with adjustments for particular student needs. For reading improvement, teachers will make adjustments to their reading strategies and student learning goals. In every classroom students are learning through a balanced reading program which incorporates the elements of:  guided, shared, modelled and independent reading.

Guided reading is a teacher-directed activity involving small groups of students working with individual copies of the same text. Teachers can focus on an identified need of the students in the group, such as comprehension skills.

Shared reading is a teacher-led activity that can be conducted with the whole class or a small group. Through shared reading teachers can encourage enjoyment of text and support students in successfully accessing a range of text types.

Modelled reading involves a clear demonstration of reading behaviours or strategies accompanied by teacher verbalization (think-aloud statements) of the thinking processes used in reading.

Independent reading involves students selecting and independently engaging with texts without interruption. Independent reading provides an opportunity for students to appreciate a text and apply the reading strategies they are learning. In addition to this, students may use independent reading time to research assignments and tasks or to deepen their understanding of a learning area topic.

Cross Country

Students from P-6 will participate in our annual Cross Country this Wednesday.  Parents are very welcome to attend and support the students in their events. Thank you to Mr Rainbow, staff and volunteers for helping prepare and organise the day.

After School Activities

Thank you to parents and students for being so cooperative with our afternoon process. Once the 3:20pm bell sounds or the teacher’s whistle is blown, it signals it is time to head home. 

Parents and students, who are remaining or returning to the school for CEP or Swimming activities, are reminded to stay with or near that activity and not join in with our Jabiru group. This allows the Jabiru staff to concentrate on the supervision of the children in their care.

Students are reminded to be cautious when riding scooters or bikes to and from school, paying attention to traffic particularly when crossing driveways and roads.