A WORD FROM OUR PRINCIPAL
Hello Everyone
As we approach the end of the semester, we want to thank you for your continued support throughout, not only this term, but the year to date. It’s been a busy and productive time, and we’re proud of the progress our students have made both in and out of the classroom.
Semester One Report Cards will be sent home at the end of this term. Report cards communicate information to parents, carers and students about student achievement and progress for each learning area/subject undertaken and include:
- The student’s achievement against expected standards
- How well the student is engaging with the expected learning
- How the student may be able to improve
Report cards will be emailed - please ensure your email details are up to date with the school office. Alternatively, reports can be accessed through the QParents app, if you are registered.
As stated in my previous newsletter, we are transitioning out of Reading to Learn, into reading across the Australian Curriculum Version 9. Reading is an important ingredient to the success of every child across all curriculum areas. I am often asked, what should be the main homework item to be done – my answer is always, read. I am including a diagram that outlines the importance of reading not only at school but also at home. Reading underpins everything that is completed at school. Reading is one of the most important things that you can do at home with your children. It not only improves their connections between different texts but also between real life experiences and the text that they read as well as their vocabulary! Children should aim to read a minimum of 20 mins per day at home to increase their reading ability.
Parents as Partners in Learning
(Tips from Steve Francis- Happy Schools website)
Do You Give Your Children 8 Minutes of Attention per day?
"Parents are a child’s first and most important teacher. Investing uninterrupted time in your child AND partnering with your child’s school are two of the most important things you can do"
Small emotional investments like one-on-one, quality time now will help ensure your kids grow up feeling safe, valued and listened to. Time is precious…but not as precious as your children. That’s why it’s so important to set aside at least 8 minutes every day of distraction-free time to engage with each of your kids, one on one, without interruptions. Put down your phone, iPad or laptop and take the time to really BE with them - exchanging stories, asking and answering questions, sharing a laugh…whatever works best! Your child will feel more listened to, valued, safer and happier. Studies show that kids who receive this kind of attention do better at school, with greater language skills and higher self-confidence. With benefits like these, there’s no better way to spend 8 minutes a day!”
As a Positive Behaviour for Learning school, we are committed to proactively teaching all students appropriate behavioural skills to support their social/emotional learning. The PBL team meet fortnightly to review data and design specific foci for each sector, concentrating on the areas of need at that time. This is communicated to our students via classrooms and on assembly. An important factor that allows for student success is the connection with home: communication between parents and the school is the key to student success. If you have concerns, please contact the classroom teacher or alternatively email the Principal email and it will be passed onto the appropriate person. Let’s finish the term strong as a united team!
School Uniform
Firstly, I would like to thank you for the outstanding manner in which children present themselves for school each day. Children wear their school uniform daily and take visible pride in their appearance. I often have discussions with students on what the uniform means on assembly and at a class level – I ask students to point to our crest on their shirt – this is their badge of honor. This crest means that every student is a leader at Freshwater State School and each child should be proud of how they conduct themselves and the extent that they engage in learning. Throughout the year, students are afforded the opportunity to participate in free dress and dress up days for example, therefore colourful hats, socks, excessive jewellery and mix – matched uniforms should not be worn. If you require support with our school uniform, please do not hesitate to contact administration.
We are counting down to Freshwater’s Athletics Carnival. Our carnival will be held on the Friday of the week 9 of this term. We are looking forward to welcoming parents to our carnival. Students will be encouraged to remain in their house areas when they are not competing, supporting their peers during events, this is to allow appropriate supervision throughout the day.
Lastly, I would like to thank the P&C for their continued support of the school, not only supporting excursions/incursion but organising fun fundraising activities, such as the colour run. This will be held in the last week of school on Friday afternoon. We hope to see you there to support your children in their quest to be the most colourful human being by the end of the afternoon!
Have a wonderful fortnight of teaching and learning.
Yours in Learning,