Term 2 Week 10 Newsletter
From the Principal
Dear Families,
Welcome to our Week 10 newsletter. Congratulations to our whole school community for another successful term of learning at Calwell Primary School. So much has been achieved both in and out of the classrooms. Last Friday our 3/4 classes presented a positive assembly showcasing their learning over the term. Congratulations to those students and teachers who put this assembly together for us. Thanks also to all the parent community who came along to support.
Introducing Strong Foundations
Last week the ACT Government announced a $24.9 million investment over the next four years to improve literacy and numeracy outcomes for students in ACT Public Schools.
This means a new suite of system-wide initiatives, called Strong Foundations, that will support all students at ACT public schools to have access to consistent, high quality literacy and numeracy education.
Under Strong Foundations, your family will have access to:
- evidence-informed and consistent teaching practices in every classroom
- common assessments, including a year 1 phonics test
- advice and resources for parents, to support their children with literacy and numeracy, and
- multi-tiered systems of support for students in every school
From the start of 2025, our Kindergarten to Year 2 classes will receive additional funding to purchase new literacy and numeracy teaching materials and equipment, including decodable readers and mathematical resources.
The Education Directorate is currently planning supports for every ACT public school to adopt a more consistent approach to literacy and numeracy education.
To read more about the recent independent inquiry into literacy and numeracy in ACT public schools visit the Education Directorate website: Inquiry into literacy and numeracy in ACT public schools-Education.
You will be kept updated as this important program is designed and rolled out.
Our Kindergarten reading program that we have introduced this year is an example of an evidence informed and consistent teaching practice mentioned in the recommendations. The program is designed by Macquarie University and our data is telling us our Kindergarten students are developing strong reading foundations to support their learning going forward.
We have also introduced systematic reading intervention programs to support our students who need some extra help and a different approach. Student achievement data in reading is collected regularly and we are able to develop a clear profile of the students’ learning needs. This is an example of the multi-tiered systems of support recommended through the Strong Foundations framework. The reading intervention program for Year 1 and 2 is called Minilit and the program for older students is Macqlit.
Term 2 Highlights
We have had another busy term where our students have been offered the opportunity to be involved in many extracurricular activities as well as core learning.
Wellbeing
Menslink Tribe Program for Year 6 Boys
Fearless Future Program for Year 6 Girls
Kenny Koala Visit
Community
Year 5/6 Personal Development Day
NAIDOC Week Incursion
Community Movie Night
Mother’s Day Breakfast and Stall
Preschool Playgroup
Assemblies
Year 5 and 6 Combined Band Practice
Student Leaders-Hot Food Friday
School photos
PE and Sport
Tuggeranong Region Cross Country
AIS Good Village Program and visiting athlete
Team Colours Day
Pupil Free Day Reminder
The first day of Term 3 is a pupil free day. Our teachers will be using this day to plan for the upcoming term, working together to design teaching and learning and discussing student learning data. The first day of Term 3 for all students is Tuesday 23rd July.
We hope you all have a restful winter break. We are looking forward to our Parent/teacher interviews which will be held in Week 2 of next term. See you all in Term 3.
Kind Regards
Ben Roberts
Principal
Parent Portal
Parent Portal reminders
Parent Portal is now available. It is a secure online platform used to share student information between you and your child’s teachers.
Some reminders about Parent Portal:
- If you already have a Parent Portal account, use this Parent Portal access link to start using the great features.
- You can’t access Parent Portal directly through the ACT Digital Account website, you need to use the link above.
- When you are logged into Parent Portal, we recommend saving the browser as a favourite or to the homepage on your mobile phone for quick access in the future.
- The website can only be viewed using a web browser on your computer, mobile phone or tablet. An app is not available at this time.
- If you still need to register, you will need an access key and a Parent Portal registration link via email to link your existing account to your child’s records. If you haven’t received this, please contact the school’s front office team for assistance.
CARES
Gold Awards
Notes Home/Due & Dates to Remember
A reminder for parent's to please download the SZapp to view our Newsletters and upcoming events. If you access the calendar and click on the date on an excursion/incursion permission notes are attached to re-print if needed.
- Principals Afternoon Tea (selected students) Thursday 4th July
- Last Day of Term 2 Friday 5th July
- Pupil Free Day Monday 22nd July
- First Day of Term 3 Tuesday 23rd July
- 100 Days of Kindy Wednesday 24th July
Digital Technologies
Students in Kindergarten have been discussing how to use devices safely, and to check with an adult when using their device. There is lots of information on the esafety website Online safety | eSafety Commissioner, as well as the song they learned about being safe online, Swoosh, Glide and Rule Number 5.
Students in Senior school have been using the information they learnt about staying safe online to create posters or slideshows to inform others. This includes making sure they don’t share personal information, such as date of birth, address, full name, and where you go to school. They know to keep their passwords secure and not click on pop ups and to always check with a trusted adult if they are unsure about something.
Corin
Circle Time
In 1/2 we have been nurturing not just academic skills but also emotional wellbeing. Circle Time has become a cherished part of our routine, where students gather to share and listen in a supportive environment. This practice fosters empathy, communication, and understanding among peers. During Circle Time, our focus extends to teaching valuable tools for emotional regulation. By exploring feelings and discussing strategies like deep breathing and mindful listening, students learn to manage their emotions effectively. These skills are crucial for navigating challenges both in and out of the classroom, promoting a positive school experience. Through Circle Time we aim to empower our students to become resilient, compassionate individuals ready to face the world with confidence.
English
We have been delving deep into the art of reading, with a special focus on inference. Inferring, or reading between the lines, allows our readers to go beyond the literal text and uncover deeper meanings. By connecting clues within the text with their own knowledge and experiences, students are developing critical thinking skills and enhancing their comprehension abilities. Through guided activities and discussions, they're learning to make educated guesses, draw conclusions, and analyse characters and plot developments more profoundly.
Maths
Our students have been sharpening their mental maths skills through engaging strategies like doubles, near doubles and bridging to 10. By recognizing patterns and relationships in numbers our mathematicians are becoming proficient in calculating quickly and accurately. Doubles (such as 6 + 6 = 12) and near doubles (like 7 + 8 = 15 by recognizing 7 + 7 = 14) are empowering them to solve problems efficiently. Additionally, bridging to 10 (e.g., 8 + 4 = 8 + 2 + 2 = 12) is teaching them how to break down and simplify calculations. These strategies not only build mathematical fluency but also boost confidence in tackling more complex equations.
Integrated Unit
We have recently begun a new Integrated Unit called “Our Land, Our Connections”. In this unit of work we are learning about where we live according to our street address, city, state or territory and country. We have used Google Earth to find where we are in the world and zoom in on our address here at school. Through this innovative tool, students have been able to virtually travel to different continents, countries, and even zoom into their own neighbourhoods. We have also created passports and luggage tags so we can identify where we are from.
Arts
This term our budding musicians have been diving into the wonderful world of rhythm. From the playful "ta" and the lively "ti-ti" to the intriguing "zah," students are discovering how these rhythmic patterns create the heartbeat of music. Through interactive activities and creative exercises, our learners are not only clapping and tapping but also composing their own rhythmic masterpieces.
Congratulations Eloise
Eloise proudly represented Calwell Primary School at the semi-finals of Rostrum in week 9 this term. She did an outstanding job against tough competition. Congratulations Eloise on your amazing effort for public speaking!
