Revised 2023 Communicating Learning Progress to Families Department Requirements 

 

Our first samples from Prep to Gr 6 of ‘Feedback on Evidences of Learning’ were sent home to all families – this included 3 samples of learning from the curriculum areas of English and Maths and either Science or HASS.

Earlier this term, we have held our planned follow-up ‘Communicating Learning Progress to Families’ Parent/Carer – Teacher meeting appointments.  Where a family was unable to attend or did not make an appointment, teachers have endeavoured to make contact if at all possible, about each child’s progress to date. 

Our Kinder families have also had meetings to discuss their child’s first Kinder Development Check and their child’s settling-into Learning and routines at school in Kinder.

Due to excessive work demands and there needing to be more state-wide development of processes and support for staff to meet the new communicating learning progress requirements for schools, we have now received a revised guide of the minimum requirements for 2023.

For 2023, we have already meant the new/revised minimum requirements of sharing at least 3 samples of learning progress. In summary, the remaining reporting and communicating learning progress requirements for our school community will be:

• Grades 1 to 6 – Mid Year Report (assessment ratings at the end of Term 2)
• Kinder – KDC 2 and End of Year ‘Celebration of Learning’ Portfolio (Term 4)
• Prep to Grade 6 – End of Year Summary Report (assessment ratings at the end of Term 4)

 

Burnie Eisteddfod 2023

This year our Junior and Senior Choir performed at the Burnie Eisteddfod. The school has not entered the Eisteddfod since 2019, so for almost all our choir members, this was the first time they’ve had the opportunity to sing in a public space.

 

The Junior Choir sang, ‘It’s a Small World’ and ‘I Can’t Spell Hippopotamus.’ They received 80 points from the adjudicator. Some of the adjudicators comments were, “I  loved your enthusiasm as you started the chorus,” “Lovely stage presence,” “I loved the actions” and “A lovely confident sound.”                                                                                                                       

Junior Choir – taken right after our performance! Some very happy faces!

 

 

 

 

The Senior Choir sang, ‘Love of the Common People’ and ‘Walking in the Air/Whistle Down the Wind.’ They received 94 points and were awarded second place! Some of the comments from the adjudicator were, “Thanks for presenting a really lovely contrasting program,” “A very strong opening” “Pitch was accurate with good blend developing”,  “Wonderfully delicate opening”,  “Dynamic contrast very effective” and “Lovely part work.”

Senior Choir – taken right before they performed. Some very nervous and excited faces.

Both choirs are to be commended for their wonderful behaviour while at the Eisteddfod. They should be so proud of their efforts and everyone achieved their personal best while performing. Our choirs represented the school so beautifully. Well done everyone!!

And we recognise that is takes great talent, effort, motivation and inspiration so we do extend a huge thankyou to the outstanding efforts of our Music teacher, Ms Sharon Neilson …. and thanks also to all of the help from our accompanying staff and adults.

Student Council Updates:

1. 2023 LEGO Competition Results & LEGO Pick-Up Information for families
   
   Thank you to the 82 entrants (and families) for supporting this key Student Council led annual event in our school!
   
   A huge thanks also to our 5 Student Leaders... who took on the independent responsibility of daily tallying duties and finalising the event and results - as well as... assisting with announcing and presenting our category winners at today's assembly.
   
   Student Council Class and Buddy Reps have also awarded participation certificates to our LEGO entrants.
   
   Congratulations to our 4 Category winners:
   Kinder /Prep - Lucas
   Gr 1 / 2 - Sawyer
   Gr 3 / 4 - Max
   Gr 5 /6 - Bradley
   
   Our overall SCHOOL LEGO winner this year was Sawyer - he will now have a chance to enter his original design into the annual NW Regional July Brixhibition Event (held in Ulverstone).
   
   
   
2. Out of Uniform Gold Coin Donation Day

Students Councillors have shared with K to 5/6 classes and left each with a poster to remind and encourage students to support their planned end of Term 2 Fundraising Day… on Thursday 6 July – come out dressed in casual clothes (out of school uniform special day)  and donate a Gold Coin

NAIDOC Week: 2 – 9 July 2023

We celebrate NAIDOC Week across Australia in the first week of July. Recognising the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. In Tasmanian schools, we are encouraged to teach, learn and celebrate all year round.

This year’s theme FOR OUR ELDERS is being explored in a range of meaningful ways in class learning programs.
 
“ Across every generation, our Elders have played, and continue to play, an important role and hold a prominent place in our communities and families. 

 
They are cultural knowledge holders, trailblazers, nurturers, advocates, teachers, survivors, leaders, hard workers and our loved ones. 
 
Our loved ones who pick us up in our low moments and celebrate us in our high ones. Who cook us a feed to comfort us and pull us into line, when we need them too.
 
They guide our generations and pave the way for us to take the paths we can take today. Guidance, not only through generations of advocacy and activism, but in everyday life and how to place ourselves in the world.

We draw strength from their knowledge and experience, in everything from land management, cultural knowledge to justice and human rights. Across multiple sectors like health, education, the arts, politics and everything in between, they have set the many courses we follow. 
 
The struggles of our Elders help to move us forward today. The equality we continue to fight for is found in their fight. Their tenacity and strength has carried the survival of our people. 

It is their influence and through their learnings that we must ensure that when it comes to future decision making for our people, there is nothing about us - without us. 

We pay our respects to the Elders we’ve lost and to those who continue fighting for us across all our Nations and we pay homage to them.” 
 
In 2023, how will you celebrate For Our Elders? Have some conversations at home about: How can we show respect to Elders? Why are we grateful for the wisdom of Elders?

Such Sad News to share with members of our School Community

Recently, we had some really sad news that Mr Glenn Stitz (a member of our Education Facility Attendants team) had unexpectantly passed away. We are all really saddened at the loss of a staff member; Glenn has worked in our school for over 22 years(both at the Bowick and then Gibbons Street campuses), starting in a volunteer capacity and later moving to an EFA relief position and was more recently working with us in a  part-time contracted EFA position. Our sincerest sympathies to Glenn’s family, and to our close members of staff and friends of Glenn – we will really miss his quiet and caring presence with us.

Over the past month, many members of our school community, in fact, even broader into the local community, have also been deeply saddened by the losses of a number of people with connections to our school (past students, colleagues and parents). Whilst it is not appropriate for me to share more details, my reason for briefly referring to this difficult past month for so many of us, is to remind everyone to please look after each other and reach out to those closest for support if needed.

Please take time during the upcoming holiday break to spend quality time with loved ones.

A reminder too… that School finishes for Term 2 on Friday 7 July and Term 3 commences for all students on Tuesday 25 July (Monday 24 is a Staff only day).