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The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. It has been an everyday part of the school calendar since 2008.
NAPLAN tests the sorts of skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life, such as reading, writing, spelling and numeracy. The assessments are undertaken nationwide, every year.
In 2019 NAPLAN is online for all tests, except the Year 3 writing test. If you would like to get an idea of what the online assessment looks like, please visit the public demonstration site at nap.edu.au
Read LessStudents Communicating Their Learning to Parents
Our annual outdoor family movie night is on Friday 15 March 2019. The gates at senior Kiss and Ride will open at 6.15pm and the movie will commence at 7.15pm.
This year we will be screening Incredibles 2.
Tickets can be purchased via Trybooking for $5.00 each using the link below:
https://www.trybooking.com/BAZPI
Read LessGood Role Models Reducing Congestion
With the ever increasing traffic jams in our kiss n ride areas and our bulging car parks, it is great to see some of our students, including Sam R, Seth B, Josh A and Raphael V, being terrific role models by constantly riding to school.
If your child is in a position to ride to school we strongly encourage them to do so. Students who ride or walk to school contribute to their minimum physical activity level of 60 minutes per day. They are also more focused and ready to learn compared to those who are driven to school.
Wouldn’t it be great to see our bike racks full instead of our car parks?
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Congratulations on an Outstanding Achievement
Each edition of our newsletter will feature access to one or two videos containing credible advice from the ParentTV experts.
Starting school for the first time or even returning to school after the Christmas holidays can be a daunting and anxious time for our kids! 'Normal' anxiety is a healthy and typical human response to stressful situations. However, when it starts to affect everyday functioning, children can need some additional support to deal with their feelings.
It's awful having to leave your little one in a distressed state at daycare or at school. And harder still if you don't know how best to respond. Parents can start to dread goodbyes too and can feel equally anxious as drop off approaches... Join parenting expert and mother of three, Dr Kaylene Henderson - Child Psychiatrist as she shares her tips on how to tackle your child's separation anxiety so that your child can soon feel safe and settled.
We hope you find the videos helpful to transition your children into the new school year.
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As part of some strategic planning for 2020, all parents are asked to please complete a quick survey (no name required) about the set up and running of our Friends of St Simon Peter teams, moving into the future.
It will only take approximately 3 minutes to complete the survey and the results will be very helpful in our planning in building our school community and collaboration. Please click on the below link to access the survey:
Read LessOur Sport Captains for 2019 were announced at this morning's Whole School Assembly and we would like to congratulate those students and wish them all the best in their roles for the year ahead.
We also congratulate those students selected to lead in Music, Library, SPARKS and Digital Technologies. Congratulations also to our Aussies of the Month.
Read LessHouse Swimming Carnival - Thursday 14 March 2019
Just a reminder that all students in Year 4-6 are involved in the annual Swimming Carnival at HBF Arena in Joondalup on Thursday 14 March 2019.
Details about the carnival were included on the note accompanying the nomination form and an approximate timetable is included in this newsletter.
All students from Yr 4-6 will be going to the pool on the day to take part in the carnival in some way, whether that be by swimming in traditional races, noodle races, or cheering on their team mates. Please note that spectator fees apply if you wish to come along and cheer the swimmers on, but it is money well spent! If you are able to be a parent helper, even for a short time on the day, please email Mr Thompson on lee.thompson@cewa.edu.au and then meet Mr Thompson at HBF Arena on carnival day and he will explain your duties.
Unfortunately, this year HBF Arena will not allow the school to provide the parent helpers with some sandwiches and a drink for lunch, so please come prepared with either your own food or money. A reminder as well that this rule means there will be no canteen orders from our school on the day and students must bring their own lunch and drink from home.
The students have been reminded that they should not be sharing lollies or food with other students at the carnival because of allergy concerns and that HBF Arena does not allow coloured jelly type lollies, streamers, face paint or hair dye because of the damage they cause to the pool and surrounds.
Please click on the link below to access the timetable for the day:
Read LessTALK ABOUT YOUR OWN LOVE OF SCHOOL
A parent’s experience with their own education can strongly influence the way they convey the value of education to their children. Parents who have spent longer at school – or in other education environments – and have had a positive experience are more likely to speak highly of school and the value of learning. As a result, these parents are more likely to talk to their children about the value of education and about their positive experiences.
It’s not just direct conversations in which parents drum into their children the importance of school, but also other conversations children can overhear. Children can often place more value on the conversations between adults that they overhear than the ones they have directly with their parents. If children overhear their parents talking to friends about what a great time they had at school and how if it hadn’t been for their education they wouldn’t have the job they have and the friends they have, it sends a powerful message to children.
By contrast, hearing parents talking about how school was dreadful, how all of their teachers were stupid and how they left school the moment they could, sends a very different message.
GET THEM TO AIM FOR A PERSONAL BEST
You hear a lot about personal-best performances in sport, especially during the Olympics. It’s great to see the swimmer who comes fifth in the 100m freestyle overjoyed because they’ve beaten their previous personal best (PB). In the same way, research has shown that aiming for PBs is effective at motivating students to adopt a learner profile using our SSP Learner Qualities, reach higher academic levels, participate in class and to have positive educational aspirations. This research has shown that setting PB goals can lead to higher achievement at school.
Using a PB approach to motivation helps students set achievable goals for themselves and can help give struggling students a more effective and inspiring way of doing well at school. It’s a great way to encourage your child to improve by competing with themselves. In this way, they can feel good about themselves as learners because they have made great progress. These research findings are also relevant to high achievers who often outperform many other students but who might not be working to their own personal potential or capacity. If you have a high-achieving child, urging them on to a PB even at very high levels can be effective at improving their personal performance. A PB approach also helps sustain these students’ academic progress because it ensures they are always aiming for personal improvement.
Read LessBelow are some important reminders in regards to our uniform policy, which are also mentioned in our Parent Handbook on the school website. The class teacher will contact parents if the school uniform is not being correctly worn.
- Hair must be of natural colour (no tinting) and a “normal” style.
- Hair needs to be longer than a number two cut and if it is longer than shoulder length it must be tied back.
- Hats must be worn when playing outdoors.
- Children are encouraged to wear sun cream during summer months.
- Rings, bracelets, bangles and necklaces are not to be worn at school. However, religious medallions may be worn under the uniform.
- Earrings must be small and safe. There should only be one earring in each ear.
- Nail polish is not part of the school uniform.
Sustainability Centre Market Garden
Please pop along to the stall, located in the quadrangle from 8.00am before every school assembly, to purchase your fresh produce at a bargain price. All money raised will be put back into the Sustainability Centre to purchase new seedlings, etc. Please remember to bring cash as they do not have an EFTPOS facility available.