IMPORTANT DATES!
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
It has been a busy week at RGLPS with our students focused on their learning. On Tuesday we had a lovely house athletics carnival for our Year 3 – 6 students with the Gold house celebrating victory on the day. We have also taken students to district swimming trials this week. Our students are also very excited with the announcement that our student leader badges have arrived and we will be having a special assembly on Monday to make sure we all celebrate our students’ achievements. It will be outside on the basketball court so parents are welcome to attend at 2:40 for the assembly.
Tutor Learning Initiative (TLI)
Next week marks the commencement of this program. Notices have been sent home if a student is eligible for the program. It is important to note that the funding for the TLI is specifically targeted for those who have lost learning during the COVID period. It is not earmarked for an intervention program and any such use is completely outside the scope of the funding requirements. We have been extremely thorough in our analysis of data to ascertain exactly where the need was and to identify the cohorts who would benefit from the program.
We are certain that all students will benefit from this funding boost. By engaging additional teachers to support children with intensive learning, classroom teachers will have greater capacity to ensure that all other students’ achievement, engagement and wellbeing needs are met, so that all students receive the support they need this year.
Our Year 1-2 tutor is Briony Kane. Briony has been a classroom teacher over many years at RGLPS. She is looking forward to coming back onboard to support small groups in the 1-2 area. Our Year 5-6 tutor is Maryanne Pontikis. Maryanne is an extremely experienced primary school teacher who looks forward to sharing her vast knowledge with our community. We are finalising our Year 3-4 tutor position today but do anticipate that we will have a tutor by close of business.
Current Restrictions
We all got some wonderful news today with the indoor mask wearing regulations lifted from 11:59 tonight. It will be wonderful to communicate once again using our whole face. I must say though I will miss the fun student interactions that my various Starwars and Carlton masks have elicited. All of the students are now aware of my little quirks so I am sure that the spontaneous conversations will still occur.
School Council
I would like to thank everyone for their engagement in the school council election process. I am pleased to announce that our council has been confirmed for 2021 with the current structure to be announced next week. We look forward to a very productive year with the new council.
Community Forum
We would like to invite our community to attend an online community forum on Thursday the 11th of March between 6:30pm – 7:30pm. As part of the 2020 school review we have now been guided to complete our school strategic plan. One area that is important to discuss with our whole community is the vision statement. The vision statement is co-created with, shared and owned by the school community. Please keep this time as a place holder and I will send out an invite and further information next week.
Take care everyone,
Kirrily Lamers
Principal
STUDENT OF THE WEEK
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
Meet the Teacher
Thank you to all of our parents and staff for holding such a successful week of ‘Meet the Teacher’ interviews. It was amazing to hear the wonderful stories of information sharing and connection. Building strong, respectful and meaningful relationships with your child’s teacher and the school will help us to work together and support your child’s academic progress and wellbeing.
When everyone works together we see increases in attendance, motivation, attitude towards school and learning, social relationships and progress towards further education.
Should you feel that you were not able to share all relevant information, please consider:
- – Sending a brief email with additional details
- – Booking a time to continue the discussion
As the year progresses, information sharing is important. Don’t hesitate to discuss issues with your teacher. Establishing this relationship is a two-way process we would love to hear stories of your child’s achievements outside of school, so we can celebrate them. We would also like to hear of any struggles so we can support your child.
I know it can be hard to get your child to share their experiences from school. Try to make it a nightly ritual around the dinner table. Encourage them to talk as you walk home. If you have questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to ask.
With the Covid-19 restrictions easing the school is investigating the resumption of parent helpers in our school and classrooms. We will be holding a briefing for all parent volunteers soon. I will publish a date and time in the newsletter and also via a Compass event. –
Theircare
We welcome Ashley Brasier as the new Theircare coordinator, while Katie takes extended leave.
Ashley has been apart of the TheirCare family for over a year. She is currently studying a Bachelor of Education.
Ashley is super excited to be a part of the Rosanna Golf Links community.
Please feel free to contact the service on 0408 136 169.
Luke Franklin
Assistant Principal
TEACHING AND LEARNING
Talking about our Reading
A few newsletters ago, I stressed the importance of ensuring that your child engages in home reading at least five times per week. At RGLPS, students are encouraged to leave ‘tracks in their thinking’ as they read. This helps students gain greater awareness of their thinking during reading and to understand that we must think and actively engage with a text to gain the most from it. This might involve making predictions; making connections to your own experience or other readings/viewings; posing questions; summarising; or inferring about characters, plot, setting or themes. In class, students are encouraged to record the ‘tracks in their thinking’ in their reading workbooks, to use post it notes or a template and to engage in discussion in order to explore their thinking in greater detail.
At RGLPS, we aim to work in partnership with parents and families to help each child with their learning. A valuable way that parents can help children with their reading is to engage in rich conversation about a text before, during and after reading. Here are some suggestions on ways to deepen the conversation you have with your child during reading.
Before Reading
- – Discuss/ask your child to make predictions from the title, front cover, blurb, knowledge of author or genre etc. Eg – Look at the front cover and the title. What do you think this book might be about?
- – Help your child recall any previous knowledge or experience they have of the topic. Remember when we saw the orang-utans at the Zoo. What do we know about orang-utans already?
- – Help your child read with a question in mind. I can see that this book is about elephants. What new things do we want to know about elephants? Let’s see if we can find out about what they eat and more about their habitats?
During Reading
While reading with your child, don’t be afraid to stop periodically and reflect or engage in a conversation about the text. Examples of conversation starters include:
- – What do you think might happen next? (prediction)
- – What does that remind you of? (connection)
- – What are you wondering? (questioning)
- – How do you think the character is feeling now? How do you know this? (inferring)
- – What is the character like? (inferring)
After Reading
Take a few moments after your finish a book or chapter to reflect on the reading. You might discuss…
- – What was the main idea or message in the book? (inferring)
- – What are the main things you learned from this reading? (summarising, main idea)
- – What would you still like to know about this topic? (questioning)
- – Did you like this book? Why/why not? (personal opinion)
Many children need to be shown how to tap into their thinking while reading and mistakenly think reading is just about saying the words on the page. We have to teach children that the purpose of reading is of understanding and one of the best ways we can support a deeper understanding is through rich conversation about text that explores our thinking. I encourage you to make time to discuss your child’s reading with them to help them improve their reading comprehension.
A reminder that teachers outline the reading strategy focus for each term in Term Newsletters which are available on Compass (see School Documentation -> Year Level Newsletters) . We also encourage parents/carers to speak to the classroom teacher if you would like more specific information on your child’s learning needs and goals.
Happy reading and talking about your reading!
Maths Olympiad
Students in Year 4-6 who are participating in the 2021 Maths Olympiad will begin sessions with me next week. The first practice session will be on Thursday 4th March from 2:40pm – 3:30pm. Maths Olympiad #1 will be on Wednesday 24th March.
RGLPS School Policies
A reminder that all current RGLPS policies are available to access via both Compass and the school website.
On Compass, see Community tab -> School Documentation -> School Policies.
On the RGLPS website, policies can be accessed by clicking the Community tab and scrolling down.
Have a wonderful week everyone!
Kerron Worsdell
Teaching and Learning Coach
MATHEMATICS NEWS
How Can I Help Build My Child's Numeracy?
Hello again families …
Carrying on from last week’s ‘How can I help build my child’s numeracy’, I found myself searching around for more great ideas, information or articles to help you think about maths at home.
This week I found a great 4-page pamphlet which was developed by The Australian Government’s Department of Education, Science and Training, and it’s aimed at partnering with families to improve numeracy outcomes for all students. There are some prompts in there, helping to remind you of all the ways you can incorporate mathematical concepts into your everyday lives. Please do take a look if you are interested. Here is a snippet of what’s inside. You can find the brochure at: www.dest.gov.au/schools/publications/index.htm or www.gu.edu.au/school/cls/clearinghouse/
This week’s Family Maths activity is taken from https://nrich.maths.org/strike-it-out
Have a fabulous weekend and week ahead.
Cathie
SPORTS NEWS
Athletics Carnival
This week we returned to Meadowglen International Athletics Stadium for our House Sports. It was wonderful to see all of the students in their house colours giving their best right across the day! In the end, the results were as follows: Gold House 598 points, Red House 574 points, Blue House 557 points and Green House 508 points. A huge thank you to the teachers and ES staff that helped to run the event and especially to the parents who volunteered their time. It truly was a very successful and smoothly run carnival and I couldn’t have done it without all of you.
District Swimming
On Thursday was the District Swimming Carnival at Northcote Pool. All swimmers did their very best for RGLPS and I am very proud of you. This year, we have 10 swimmers that have moved on to compete at Division: Will B, Finn G, Mae G, Jed L, Hayden P, Eva R, Emma B, Poppy P, Emily S and Maddison B. Good luck at the Division Championships next week!
Darren Peters
PE and Sports Cooordinator
SCHOOL PHOTOS
CSEF – CAMPS, SPORTS AND EXCURSIONS FUND
The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund helps eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.
If you have a valid means-tested concession card, such as a Veterans Affairs Gold Card, Centrelink Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible. There is also a special consideration category for asylum seeker and refugee families.
Payment amounts this year are $125 for eligible primary school students. Payments are made direct to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions and sporting activities for the benefit of your child.
If you applied for CSEF through our school last year, you do not need to complete an application form this year, unless there has been a change in your family circumstances.
If you would like to apply for the first time, please contact the school office on 9457 4178 and ask for an application form.
You can also download the form, and find out more about the program and eligibility, on the Department of Education and Training’s Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund web page.
Check with the school office if you are unsure, and please return completed forms to the school office as soon as possible.
CANTEEN
SPECIAL RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION (SRI)
Special Religious Instruction – Christianity sessions will be offered again this year. They will be held in the library for the first half of lunchtime (1.50 – 2.20pm) every Thursday, commencing 11th March. Permission forms for this have been put on Compass or are available from the Office. The sessions explore the beliefs and values of Christianity through stories from the Bible, with games and activities to help us think and make it fun. Our aim is to cater for all ages, Prep to Grade 6, with some time allocated for age appropriate discussion and activities. If anyone has any questions about the program, or is interested in helping, please give me a call.
Cathie Clarke
SRI – Christianity Team Leader
Ph: 9459 2278 or 0411 883 904
Thanks very much.
Have a good weekend,
Cathie
THEIRCARE – BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL CARE
COMMUNITY NOTICES
Disclaimer: Rosanna Golf Links Primary School (RGLPS) does not endorse any product or service advertised in this newsletter. RGLPS takes no responsibility for the content of advertisements or the quality and reliability of products or services offered in the advertisements