UNDER EIGHT’S DAY 2020 STYLE
Our celebration of Under Eight’s Day looked a little different this year however, still showcased the wonderful work our Prep - Year 2 teachers, teacher aides and children accomplish.
The week began with the long-awaited return of our Year 2 children, teachers and teacher aides, all of whom had been dearly missed and we welcomed them all with open arms!
During the week the Preps, Year 1’s and 2’s captured the 2020 Under Eight’s Day focus of 'Play, Playfulness and Engaged Learners' in their own unique ways, culminating in a picnic lunch and dance on Stoltz Oval on Friday. Activities during the week included parachute play, sand sculpturing, tug-of-war, dressing up and dancing! Many opportunities were provided for children to engage in their classroom activities as well.
On Friday, the Prep-Year 2’s came together for the Hokey Pokey and Chicken Dance after lunch. It was a truly wonderful sight to see such happy children and equally happy teachers and support staff participating in a beautiful community event.
Many thanks to everyone for making this event put a sparkle in the eyes of our gorgeous little ones and their grown-ups!
Michelle Cartwright
P-2 Coordinator
ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING SEMESTER 1, 2020
After what has been a unique and disrupted semester, the below information is intended to provide some guidance on the changes to reporting. This has been done as a Question and Answer format to support many questions that often arise at this time of the year. We appreciate that the circumstances have been unprecedented, and it has forced us to reconsider some of our programs due to these circumstances, however, teachers have been able to engage students in valuable learning experiences throughout the semester. It is the learning that has resulted from these experiences that will derive a student’s standard of achievement.
Q. When can I expect to receive my child’s Semester 1 report?
A. Reports will be completed at the end of semester as per normal. Academic reports for Years 1-6 will be available on Firefly in the second week of the June-July holiday period. Reporting to our Prep families is taking a new format this year; teachers and parents will have ‘Learning Conversations’ to discuss student progress. These will occur in the three pupil free days at the end of term, with reports being delivered at this time.
Q. Will the end of Semester 1 report be the same?
A. Whilst we will still be assessing and commenting on student achievement from across the semester, given the interruption to our programs, the levels of achievement will be modified for Semester 1 with ratings now reading as 'Working Beyond', 'Demonstrating' and 'Working Towards'. These terms refer to student achievement with regards to the expected level of achievement for that Year Level, that is, working beyond Year Level standard, demonstrating Year Level standard and working towards Year Level standard. We will use the evidence of achievement from Term 1, when students attended school face to face, and from both the At Home Learning period and when students returned to school face to face in Term 2, to award these levels of achievement for the semester. The reports will also include the usual Behaviour and General Comments.
Q. What learning areas will be assessed in Term 2?
A. As always, we will be assessing all subjects across the Primary Years. That is: English, Mathematics, Christian Studies, HASS, Science, The Arts (Prep -Year 3), Visual Art (Year 4-6), German, Music, Health and Physical Education, PMP (Prep- Year 3) and Technology (Year 5&6). However, the format of this assessment may be different to previous years. Assessment in the Primary Years does not necessarily take the form of a test, there are many different techniques teachers use to find out what students understand and can do.
Q. Will the assessments be modified?
A. In the interests of student wellbeing, assessments may be modified to reduce the quantity of assessment, change the assessment technique and conditions or alter the timetabling of assessment.
Q. Will student work completed during At Home Learning be used for assessment and reporting?
A. Teachers have used the valuable information from At Home Learning to plan for face-to-face revision and consolidation. The evidence of learning gathered during this time is being used formatively to help understand student understanding and inform planning for teaching and learning.
Q. Will teachers’ moderate students’ assessment?
A. Yes. Moderation is the process of teachers sharing, comparing and examining the quality of evidence in students’ work against the Achievement Standards. This process ensures consistency of student achievement across a year level.
Q. If I have a question about my child’s assessment, who can I contact?
A. Please contact your child’s teacher or Simone Mitchell (Head of P-6 Curriculum) if you need any clarification about assessment or end of semester reporting.
ICAS COMPETITIONS AND AUSTRALIAN MATHEMATICS COMPETITION (AMC)
If your child is in Years 3-6, and you would like further information or would like to register your child in these competitions please go to the following link:
https://stpeters.fireflycloud.net.au/p-6-curriculum-ind/external-academic-competitions
If you are returning your permission slips, please ask your child to give them to the Lower or Upper Primary Administration office.
Students in Years 3-6 who wish to participate in the 2020 ICAS English, Maths or Science Competitions or the Australian Mathematics Competition can find the necessary information on Firefly.
Simone Mitchell
Head of P-6 Curriculum
ST PETERS PRE-PREP MUSIC PROGRAM
St Peters Lutheran College offers a Pre-Prep Music Program for children aged between three and five years old. Children and their parents/caregivers participate together in music classes that are designed to assist children in not only developing their music skills but also their motor skills, memory, social skills and confidence.
The program is a Kodaly based, pre-instrumental program. The focus is on the development of beat, rhythm and pitch through singing, moving to music, playing games and listening to music.
Small classes of up to 10 students run 8 weeks a term for 30 minutes per lesson. Lessons are held in the Lower Primary Music room.
The program is open to all children and parents in the community not just those enrolled to attend St Peters. For those who are planning on attending St Peters in Preparatory, there is an added advantage of meeting other children that will be in the same cohort and the Prep and Year 1 Music teacher. Historically this has greatly assisted children settling into Prep.
There are two classes running in Semester 2, 2020: the Tuesday class (8:20am – 8:50am) and the Thursday class (2:15pm – 2:45pm). Fees are $85 per term. Mrs Jacqui Stewart is the current teacher of the program.
For further information please email j.stewart@stpeters.qld.edu.au
HEALTH UPDATES
Please take the time to review the medical details of your child/ren on the following link:
myStPeters website (myStPeters > Community Portal > My details > Medical ).
Updating details such as allergies and asthma (including seasonal) will help alleviate concerns from school staff and is vital to support your child at school.
For any specific concerns or questions, please contact the nurses in the Health Centre by emailing h.centre@stpeters.qld.edu.au or on 3377 6102.
SHOP 45
Did you know you can call, order and pay by credit card for any uniform items over the telephone to Shop 45. If you know what you require please contact Shop 45 directly on 3377 6209 and the staff will be able to assist you.
Prep – Year 4 students – Parents if you use this method please email lpadministration@stpeters.qld.edu.au and advise you require an order collected from Shop 45 we will ensure we collect the items for your child from Shop 45.
Years 5 & 6 students – Students in Upper Primary are able to visit Shop 45 in breaks during the school day to collect their items purchased.
Please ensure when ordering you have your child’s ID number available, their name and class.
LOST PROPERTY
Lost property is once again overflowing in Lower Primary. There are many misplaced sports jackets currently not in the student’s possession and as winter has arrived and the cooler weather is upon we encourage your child to check the lost property for their items. Your child’s belongings should be clearly marked with their name. Easy recognition assists the children in finding their items. Your assistance to help your children find their items is appreciated.
Pam Carden
Head of Primary Years
