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Dear Parents and Carers,
Today we were blessed with a visit from Archbishop Christopher. We attended the Chapel Mass as a whole school and then enjoyed some time with the Archbishop.
Semester Reporting - Last week Mrs Grant wrote extensively about some specific aspects of semester reporting, especially for students who have personal plans for their learning. If you didn't read this you may like to go back to that newsletter.
At St Patrick's, assessment of learning is an ongoing process. Students complete assessments regularly within the direct instruction programs of Reading Mastery, Spelling Mastery and Connecting Maths Concepts. Based on their results students may spend time on remedies to ensure they are learning and progressing.
At the end of term, students complete further assessments across all curriculum areas, to demonstrate what they have learned. Teachers use all the available data to make judgements about each students learning throughout the semester. This is translated into an A-E grade on their semester report. Please note that a grade of C indicates a student is reaching the standard for their year level / stage.
Do your children say that their learning is repetitive? That they go over some learning each day? This is a very important part of the design of the learning programs being implemented at St Pat's, they are based on an understanding of the brain and how we learn.
Cognitive Load Theory suggests that the human brain can only process a limited amount of information at one time. When students are exposed to too much information or complex tasks beyond their current level of understanding, their cognitive load can become overwhelming, hindering their ability to learn effectively.
As educators, our goal is to manage this load by presenting information in a way that matches the cognitive abilities of our students, ensuring they can process and retain new knowledge more efficiently. By applying CLT principles in our classrooms, we aim to optimize learning experiences and support the academic growth of every student.
Thank you for your continued support as we integrate evidence-based practices like Cognitive Load Theory into our teaching strategies.
Blessings,
Jo
Maths & English Intervention
At St Patrick's we used a multi-tiered system. A multi-tiered system of supports is a tiered model of instruction that includes:
- a school-wide, multi-level system of instruction
- high-quality classroom instruction
- universal student screening
- evidence-based interventions provided on a sliding scale of intensity
- continuous, data-based progress monitoring.
High quality, evidence-based Tier 1 instruction is the foundation of MTSS. Tier 1 refers to the instruction that the whole class receives.
In an MTSS model, all students are screened to determine their capability in reading, spelling, writing and mathematics. The resulting data is used to inform whether students require intervention and for those that do, to tailor the intervention offered.
Tier 2 intervention involves intensifying support for students with knowledge or skill gaps that prevent them from responding to quality Tier 1 instruction. This involves the use of evidence-based instructional practices and empirically validated interventions in a small group setting.
At St Patrick's this includes InitiaLit, Language Lift, MinLit Sage, MacqLit, Story Champs, CMC and Reading Mastery small group intervention. The programs are facilitated for 60 minutes per day 5 days per week and replace some or all of the whole class direct instruction for English or Maths. The programs are facilitated by our trained Classroom Support Assistants, Curriculum leaders or myself.
Emma Grant
Dates for your calendar
Week nine Chapel Mass- 3/4 Green (9.15am Families Welcome)
Grandparent's Day Morning Tea- Thursday 4th July, 9:45 am start
Some exciting news from the NSWPSSA U11's Rugby League Championships.
Yesterday in Wagga, William Nicholson and the MacKillop Team qualified for the State Championships medal and Title for 2024.
The MacKillop Team won the Silver medal. Well done William and Team!
BVSC RECREATION STRATEGY PROJECT Over the coming days you might hear and see information about the Bega Valley Shire Council Recreation Strategy that council is working on. Council is developing the strategy to help guide the future management, renewal and provision of council managed recreational assets and facilities which include:
- Sports fields and Courts
- Marine and Boating Infrastructure
- Swimming Pools and Ocean Pools
- Beach and Foreshore areas
- Parks, Natural areas, and Open Spaces
- Playgrounds and Skateparks
There is information about the Recreation Strategy Project on council’s website BVSC Recreation Strategy Project Page
The BVSC Recreation Strategy ‘HAVE YOUR SAY’ page provides some background and information and a link to a survey. You may like to have your say.
SECCA is offering eight Winter school holiday art workshops.
Below is a summary of the workshops:
Calling all budding artists! Join SECCA this Winter school holidays for our jam-packed series of art workshops. Learn to make a shell wall hanging, get sculpting with fun pen toppers, or be inspired by our current exhibition and go on an exciting journey into abstract art. There’s plenty to explore for your artist at SECCA!
Make Ochre Paint! Naidoc Week Event
Ages 5-12, Mon 8 July 10-12pm
Shell Wall Hangings, Naidoc Week Event
Ages 5-12, Mon 8 July 1-3pm
Marble Paper Landscapes
Ages 5-8, Wed 10 July 10-12pm
Make a Clay Coral Reef
Ages 5-8, Wed 10 July 1-3pm
Blurred Abstract Art
Ages 5-8, Mon 15 July 10-12pm
Newspaper Sea Creatures
Ages 5-8, Mon 15 July 1-3pm
Learn to draw KAWAII characters
Ages 8-12, Thurs 18 July 10-12pm
Pen Topper Sculpting
Ages 8-12, Thurs 18 July 1-3pm
Book a two-hour class or book two workshops and stay for the day (not available with Naidoc Week workshops).
Info & bookings see the SECCA website: https://secca.com.au/event/winter-school-holidays-at-secca/
Creative Kids vouchers accepted.