There are now a range of assorted building materials and toys for the students to choose from in 2A including; wooden blocks, plastic MAB (maths) blocks, Lego, Zoobs, dominoes, Jenga blocks, animals, fake grass and mini food items in the chill out zone. This is an area that students can utilise as a reward when they have completed their work. It also encourages student choice, experimentation, design and collaboration. It is always interesting seeing what the students come up with.

Piper, Sienna and Indee made a stage for Uniqua our class Unicorn with a large set of steps and places for all the other animals to sit.

Myles and Abby made a fabulous shopping mall together with a sign out the front.

LUNCH BREAKS

I wanted to let you know that we are currently reviewing the structure of our lunch breaks here at Calliope SS. During the review phase we will be seeking feedback, via a survey, from staff, students and parents. We are also investigating evidence-based research to assist the school to make informed decisions about how best to provide both eating time and play time during our breaks. As we progress forward, I will keep you updated via the newsletter.

BIKE RACKS

If your child/children use the bike racks, I would highly encourage you to ensure that they lock their equipment such as bikes/scooters. The bike racks are provided for the convenience of students to place their bikes/scooters whilst they attend school; however, we are unable to provide resources to supervise the bike rack area.

POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR FOR LEARNING – RESPONSIBLE

At Parade on Friday I spoke to the students about seeking adult support when they are feeling unsafe, frustrated or need of help in any way. At school, student’s often say they do not talk to an adult until issues have escalated and often not until they themselves are at the point of making the wrong decision, potentially reacting or retaliating to others’ behaviours. The students say they don’t want their peers to think they are ‘dobbing’. At parade last week I explained that it is not ‘dobbing’, it is acting in a responsible manner and recognising that it is time to seek support from adult to ensure that they are not putting themselves or others in an unsafe situation. I encourage you to talk to your children using the same terminology. If we work together to support the students using common language and strategies, we will enable them to make safe, respectful and responsible decisions throughout their lives.

ROAD SAFETY

National Road Safety Week (NRSW) will be underway between the 16 – 23 May 2021. This year’s overall theme is ‘Pledge to Drive so others Survive’. Please show your support in getting the messages out there to your friends and family. Log on to roadsafetyweek.com.au for more information.

NAPLAN

This year, our students will participate in NAPLAN Online. NAPLAN tests the sorts of skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life, such as reading, writing, spelling, grammar and numeracy. It is important to remember that NAPLAN is not about passing or failing, but about assessing learning progress. At the classroom level it is one of a number of important tools used by teachers to measure student progress. You will receive a Parent Information Pack. Make time to read these documents. If you wish to do some further reading, the following link is to the Public Demonstration Site https://nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site.

Calliope State School’s NAPLAN test window will be across Week 4 and Week 5, Term 2, 2021. Please ensure your child has working headphones, lead pencil and eraser (for working out). If you have any questions or concerns kindly contact your child’s class teacher.

Regards

Coralie Ditchmen

Acting Principal

This week our Year 3 and Year 5 students will participate in the NAPLAN Online sessions. Attached to this week’s newsletter you will find the NAPLAN privacy statement, a NAPLAN information sheet and the Calliope State School NAPLAN test session timetable.

NAPLAN is a nationwide measure through which parents, teachers, schools, education authorities, governments and the broader community can determine how well young Australians are developing the literacy and numeracy skills that provide the critical foundation for other learning and for their productive and rewarding participation in the community.

•  NAPLAN tests are one aspect of each school’s assessment and reporting process. NAPLAN does not replace the extensive, ongoing assessments made by teachers about each student’s performance. A child’s teacher will have the best insight into the child’s educational progress. NAPLAN results do not measure overall school quality.
•  NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students are already learning through the school curriculum. Children can prepare for NAPLAN through learning the curriculum. On its own, NAPLAN is not a test that can be studied for, and students are not expected to do so.
•  The assessments allow parents to see how their child is progressing against national standards in literacy and numeracy and over time. Along with other school assessment reports, NAPLAN supports parents in discussing with teachers their child’s strengths and areas for improvement.
•  NAPLAN results can assist teachers by providing additional information to support their professional judgement about students’ levels of literacy and numeracy attainment and progress.
•  NAPLAN can support school improvement by enabling teachers to monitor their students’ progress over time against the national measure, to identify strengths and areas to improve in teaching programs, and to set goals in literacy and numeracy.
•  Both paper-based NAPLAN and NAPLAN Online test the same range of skills in literacy and numeracy taught through curriculum content. Student results continue to be measured against the one NAPLAN assessment scale, and students answer the same number of questions in both NAPLAN tests – paper and online.
•  Students and parents wishing to familiarise themselves with NAPLAN Online can visit the public demonstration site on the NAP website. Some past NAPLAN papers are also available.
•  The number of adjustments available aim to encourage participation in NAPLAN Online for as many students as possible.

If you have any concerns around NAPLAN for your child, please make contact with your child’s classroom teacher.

Kindest Regards

Rebecca Crapp

Deputy Principal

This Friday, 7 May, we will be holding our 'Day for Dolly'. Students are invited to wear blue or butterfly colours on Friday. Donations for this day can be made through QKR! on the P & C page. 

Fantastic Fun Friday – 7/05/21 – First Break - Student v’s Teacher Beep Test

Mothers’ Day Stall

On Thursday 6th of May, our P&C will hold a Mothers’ Day Stall. Each class will have an opportunity to purchase something special for Mum or other important person. Gifts range from 50c to $10. Please send cash with your kids in a named envelope or ziplock bag. Due to current COVID guidelines, we will not be giving change to students, so please ensure that the cash you give them is what you want them to spend.

Happy Mother’s Day to everyone who takes on the Mother role within their family. We hope you have a truly special day with your loved ones on Sunday 9th of May.

If you pre-ordered a gift pack earlier in the year, these will be given to students on Thursday also. If you could remind your child that they have one to pick up, that would be super helpful. Thank you.

Cookie Dough Fundraiser

Notes have now been sent home and we hope you are as excited about this fundraiser as we are. To be a part of it and earn prizes for your kids, register them at www.cookiedough.com.au and make sure you select Calliope State School. All orders must be added to the website by Tuesday 18th of May

Tuckshop News

Tuckshop operates both breaks, Tuesday to Friday each week. Order through the QKR! app. Our Tuckshop Convenor, Miss Lisa is looking for volunteers. If you can help, please contact us.

Uniform Shop Update

Uniform Shop will be open on Friday mornings, BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. Please message our Facebook Page or email uniformshop.calliopess@gmail.com to make your appointment. Uniform orders made on QKR will be filled within 3 days of ordering by our volunteers. Thank you for your patience as we distribute your orders.

This term please consider attending a P&C Meeting. By attending you get an insight into what is happening at school, you become more involved in your child’s education and you can voice your opinion on school topics. Meetings are kept short and we would love to see you there.

Next General Meeting: Tuesday 11th of May. Don’t forget everyone is welcome and you can become a P&C member at any meeting throughout the year.

Your P&C Team

Tenielle, Kate, Bec & Sian