Curriculum

This year we have established regular weekly planning sessions for Year Level Teachers so that they are aligned in their planning, teaching and assessment.  This aims to develop collaborative teams and builds the capacity of all staff.  This week Mr Curby is supporting Year 3 and 5 teachers as they conduct the annual NAPLAN tests.  All tests are online except for Year 3 writing which remains handwritten. 

Well-being

Our 2023 well-being focus is the introduction of a peer support program, as well as the implementation of our student ‘Second Steps’ program and its alignment with our Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) program.  The well-being pillar are introducing the peer support program early next term and this will consistent of multi-year level groups which meet once per week to learn about the peer support skills and the second step strategies.  Mrs Baker and Mrs Bradley will be training staff and students early next term and sharing information about the program at P&C and through our regular communication channels – dojo, schoolzine and newsletter.

Cross Country

Thank you to Mr Lawrence and Mr Rainbow for organising this year’s Cross Country events.

Parents are very welcome to attend and cheer on the students.  Students wear their House Colours (Binkinba RED, Merthyr YELLOW and Teneriffe GREEN) on the days. Dates are as follows:

Tuesday 28 March – Year 3-6 at New Farm Park.

Thursday 30 March – Prep – 2 on the school oval.

Further details will be sent home to parents prior to the event.

Year 6 Outdoor Camp

In the last week of term our year 6 students and staff will attend Moreton Island camp.  This is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about our local marine environment and build their leadership skills.  The outdoor experiences are both fun and challenging and staff will encourage everyone’s full participation to make the most of this opportunity for learning and personal growth. Thank you to supervising staff Ms Zayn Al-Abidin, Mr Jones, Mrs Blackadder and Mr Lawrence for giving us their time to ensure the camp is possible. 

Upcoming Events:

Monday 27 March – Dance Finale Year 3-6

Tuesday 28 March – Year 3-6 Cross Country at New Farm Park

Wed 29-Friday 31 – Year 6 Moreton Island Environmental Camp

Thursday 30 March – Prep – Year 2 Cross Country on School Oval

Friday 31 March – Last Day Term 1

Saturday 01 April – Sunday 16 April – EASTER HOLIDAYS

Monday 17 April – First Day Term 2

Emotional Wellbeing at School 

We are pleased that our Second Step Social and Emotional Wellbeing Program is in its second year. Over the course of the year all our students are explicitly taught, age appropriate, skills in the following areas: 

1. Skills for Learning – skills to help you learn.  

1. Empathy – identifying and understanding your own and others’ feelings. 

1. Emotion Management – learning specific skills for calming down when experiencing strong feelings. 

1. Problem Solving – learning processes for solving problems with others in a positive way. 

1. Bullying Prevention – Recognise, report and refuse. 

These skills help with the normal emotional ups and downs of school life. When students are learning new skills Home Links will be sent home so that you can be aware of the content and use the same language with your child.  

Some children may experience bigger emotional problems that are impacting their learning. Talk and reassure your child that these feelings are real but will also pass.  

Acknowledge them with perspective.   

Discuss concerns with your teacher so that he/she can be aware. They may be able to put your mind at rest or offer some additional observations from the school day. e.g. a year one student reporting that he/she has no friends and no one to play with, may only be a 5-minute period he/she remembers within a busy, very social day. 

If your child’s learning is being impacted at school, your teacher may refer your child, with your consent, to our Student Support Services Team. This team consists of myself, our Inclusion coach, Literacy and Numeracy Coach and our Guidance Officer.  

The SSS team may offer strategies for the classroom teacher, complete further observations or suggest referrals to Health Professionals. In rare cases, our Guidance Officer may work with yourself and the classroom teacher to support your child in conjunction with other health professionals but does not offer in-school counselling.  

In addition, our Guidance Officer and I will be holding a Parent workshop on Emotional Wellbeing at school, in the coming weeks.  

Akshara, Alexa, Henry, Jackson, Declan, Mia, Guinevere, Margo, Bodie, Kareena, Amira, Felix, Amelie, Ellie, Charlie, Azalea.