Included this week:-
- Student Led Conversation
- Playground after school
- Food & Snacks
- Term 3 Closure Day
- Congratulations
On Tuesday this week we had a closure day looking at how we work in partnership with one another within our shared learning spaces. This day built on the work we have been doing over the previous couple of years looking at effective ways we can make creative use of our time, people and spaces to further enhance student learning.
One part of the day saw us sharing a clip from Ma Yun (Jack Ma) co-founder of Alibaba. One of his big messages was the importance of teaching our students skills that cannot be replicated by machines, the ability to collaborate, create, design, The Arts. This message aligned well with the goals we have for our students when they graduate, to be independent, creative learners with the ability to collaborate and apply critical and problem solving skills. Throughout the day staff explored ways we are currently developing these skills alongside the core knowledge needed to be a successful learner. One of the clear messages that came from the day was the number of great things already in place, as well as the opportunities to continue growing what we already do at St Columba’s.
As part of their focus on creative use of time, space and people, teams explored ways in which they can make use of our open learning spaces to be more flexible in their design and delivery of outcomes. By opening up some of these possibilities there is greater opportunity to focus on small group instruction and explicit support and enrichment for all students. It also helps to ensure teachers are able to spend their limited time on the things that truly matter to learning. Alongside our work this year on feedback and writing, the work of the day has the school in a strong position in relation to our Annual Action Plan and recommendations from the 2017 School Review. One of the things I personally value so strongly working at St Columba’s is the reflective nature of our staff and the desire to always improve in order to create the best learning experiences we can.
Student Led Conversations (repeat from previous newsletter)
After meeting with the School Advisory Council and staff we are moving ahead with the changes to our reporting process. Thank you to the additional parents who have provided feedback and suggestions as well. Reports for this year will reflect the new Australian curriculum under the AusVELS (Victoria’s version) standards. The report will be made available digitally to families via the Parent Access Module(PAM) that you received login details for earlier this term, should you require a printed copy please see the office.
The report will include assessment against the standards for key curriculum areas in the form of ‘dots’ as well as a general comment that will highlight work habits, behaviours and effort. Prior to the reports becoming available Student Led Conversations (3 way conversations) will take place next week, this is an opportunity for students to showcase their current achievements and areas they are setting goals on working towards. As a school we would consider these to be the major reporting element and the best way to learn where your child is at and what they are currently working on. The formal report coming in week 11 will act as a confirmation of the meeting to be read in conjunction with the conversation.
We had a lot of discussion around the timing of these meetings. Should they be prior to, or after written reports? This term or next. We believe the greatest benefit to student learning is to have the conversations prior; providing parents a clear picture of what is taking place in the classrooms before the written report is made available. One of the pieces of feedback we continue to receive is that the written reports and comments don’t help parents to understand how their child is going. Without a context to place them in knowing that your child can skip count by 3’s from a non zero starting point really doesn’t tell you how they’re going or what they are working on. More importantly it also provides no information about what you can do to support them as learners. The aim of having interviews prior is to provide that context for parents, to better enable them to make meaning of the written report.
As always if there are things you would like to discuss with your child’s teacher outside of this meeting please arrange a suitable time.
Reminder: Please follow this link to book your time for a student led conversation (3 Way Conversation) as soon as possible https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au/code?code=yu5qr
Bookings close Monday 18th June.
Playground Area After School
Thank you to those parents now actively supervising their children after school, over the last two weeks we have seen injuries and incidents drop dramatically in this area and we appreciate your support and understanding.
Food & Snacks
We have a growing number of students looking for additional snacks and food at the moment. Can parents please check in with their children and ensure they are providing enough fruit, snack and lunch to get them through the day.
Term 3 Closure Day
Monday August 13th will be a closure day looking at Religious Education and the New Awakenings curriculum
Congratulations
Last week we were notified that Darcy Callanan was the best entry for St. Columba’s School in the Breaze- World Environment Day Children's Writing Competition.
Darcy along with her family attended the award Ceremony at the Ballarat Library on Tuesday 5th June. Darcy was presented her award by the Mayor of Ballarat Cr Samatha Macintosh. Congratulations Darcy!
One part of the day saw us sharing a clip from Ma Yun (Jack Ma) co-founder of Alibaba. One of his big messages was the importance of teaching our students skills that cannot be replicated by machines, the ability to collaborate, create, design, The Arts. This message aligned well with the goals we have for our students when they graduate, to be independent, creative learners with the ability to collaborate and apply critical and problem solving skills. Throughout the day staff explored ways we are currently developing these skills alongside the core knowledge needed to be a successful learner. One of the clear messages that came from the day was the number of great things already in place, as well as the opportunities to continue growing what we already do at St Columba’s.
As part of their focus on creative use of time, space and people, teams explored ways in which they can make use of our open learning spaces to be more flexible in their design and delivery of outcomes. By opening up some of these possibilities there is greater opportunity to focus on small group instruction and explicit support and enrichment for all students. It also helps to ensure teachers are able to spend their limited time on the things that truly matter to learning. Alongside our work this year on feedback and writing, the work of the day has the school in a strong position in relation to our Annual Action Plan and recommendations from the 2017 School Review. One of the things I personally value so strongly working at St Columba’s is the reflective nature of our staff and the desire to always improve in order to create the best learning experiences we can.
Student Led Conversations (repeat from previous newsletter)
After meeting with the School Advisory Council and staff we are moving ahead with the changes to our reporting process. Thank you to the additional parents who have provided feedback and suggestions as well. Reports for this year will reflect the new Australian curriculum under the AusVELS (Victoria’s version) standards. The report will be made available digitally to families via the Parent Access Module(PAM) that you received login details for earlier this term, should you require a printed copy please see the office.
The report will include assessment against the standards for key curriculum areas in the form of ‘dots’ as well as a general comment that will highlight work habits, behaviours and effort. Prior to the reports becoming available Student Led Conversations (3 way conversations) will take place next week, this is an opportunity for students to showcase their current achievements and areas they are setting goals on working towards. As a school we would consider these to be the major reporting element and the best way to learn where your child is at and what they are currently working on. The formal report coming in week 11 will act as a confirmation of the meeting to be read in conjunction with the conversation.
We had a lot of discussion around the timing of these meetings. Should they be prior to, or after written reports? This term or next. We believe the greatest benefit to student learning is to have the conversations prior; providing parents a clear picture of what is taking place in the classrooms before the written report is made available. One of the pieces of feedback we continue to receive is that the written reports and comments don’t help parents to understand how their child is going. Without a context to place them in knowing that your child can skip count by 3’s from a non zero starting point really doesn’t tell you how they’re going or what they are working on. More importantly it also provides no information about what you can do to support them as learners. The aim of having interviews prior is to provide that context for parents, to better enable them to make meaning of the written report.
As always if there are things you would like to discuss with your child’s teacher outside of this meeting please arrange a suitable time.
Reminder: Please follow this link to book your time for a student led conversation (3 Way Conversation) as soon as possible https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au/code?code=yu5qr
Bookings close Monday 18th June.
Playground Area After School
Thank you to those parents now actively supervising their children after school, over the last two weeks we have seen injuries and incidents drop dramatically in this area and we appreciate your support and understanding.
Food & Snacks
We have a growing number of students looking for additional snacks and food at the moment. Can parents please check in with their children and ensure they are providing enough fruit, snack and lunch to get them through the day.
Term 3 Closure Day
Monday August 13th will be a closure day looking at Religious Education and the New Awakenings curriculum
Congratulations
Last week we were notified that Darcy Callanan was the best entry for St. Columba’s School in the Breaze- World Environment Day Children's Writing Competition.
Darcy along with her family attended the award Ceremony at the Ballarat Library on Tuesday 5th June. Darcy was presented her award by the Mayor of Ballarat Cr Samatha Macintosh. Congratulations Darcy!
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