Barkly Highway State School - Term 4 Week 6
Principal's Welcome
FINISH STRONG
At this time of year, it is easy for everyone to be distracted with competing thoughts and or actions. On our last visit by Lesley Pecchiar (ARD), she set the challenge that the staff work together, keeping attention on the core business – our students. The challenge for the next 4 weeks is to focus on the teaching and learning opportunities outlined in our AIP, engaging the pedagogical strategies and our school’s key signature practices. For our students this includes-:
- extending and building engagement and wellbeing by consolidating strong relationships,
- learning to read through focused reading groups in every year level and
- analysis of mathematical data to identify next steps for your students.
DUPLEX BUILDINGS ON BOUGAINVILLE STREET
Work has begun on the transformation of the 2 blocks on the east end of the school. The duplex buildings have not housed teachers for many years and the decision to remove these has now been made. Over the last 2 weeks, asbestos removal has occurred, as well as many of the external fittings of the building.
MOVING FORWARD – 2022 CLASS PREPARATION
At this time of the year, after consideration of the feedback from parents, teachers have had a final review of the 2022 classes and these have been finalised until Day 8, 2022. Parent feedback received will now be included for future consideration if classes are required to change in 2022. Next year, as projected in 2020, the following classrooms have been established.
Our next steps include allocating teachers and classrooms. Planning for the next year while time consuming we are all aware of the implications if we do not get this correct.
Thank you for your continuing support as we work together to provide only the best opportunity for our students to achieve the very best.
Finish strong, everyone!
Kind regards,
Fiona
Deputy's Report
TRANSITION – 2022 PREP OPEN MORNINGS
Next Tuesday and Thursday we will be holding our 2022 Prep Transition mornings on Tuesday 16 and Thursday 18 November. This tradition in our school is a fantastic way for our incoming Prep students and families to see what school is like and meet new friends ready for next year. Our Prep teachers are looking forward to spending an hour with our new students each day.
An animation to view:
This is the story of how children grow well...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-88DCY6-Nk&feature=youtu.be
"This Qld Department of Education animation brings to life five key messages about the kinds of care and environments that children need for optimal growth and development in the early years."
REMEMBRANCE DAY - 11:00 November 11
Our Student Leaders led a parade at school to commemorate Remembrance Day after First Break. They shared the significance of this day, read The Ode of Remembrance and held a minute’s silence as a sign of respect.
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE - EVERY DAY COUNTS
It’s important that children attend school every day because:
- children achieve better when they attend school all day, every day
- going to school means getting a better chance in life
- school helps children build social and emotional skills such as communication, teamwork and resilience
- going to school is a legal requirement
2022 STUDENT LEADERSHIP Process Update
All year 5 students who nominated for School Captain/Vice Captain have participated in an interview with Ash Benson and me. The next steps for these students is to prepare and rehearse a speech to present on Wednesday 17/11/21 in front of our year 4 & 5 students. After the speeches, we will be holding the election. Our year 4 and 5 students and staff all participate in voting for our 2022 student leaders. We are looking forward to hearing the speeches from these year 5 students.
Kind regards,
Cheryl Gallagher
New Barkly B signs
As a school we see the importance of displaying our values and have replaced the stolen Barkly B signs. They look fantastic! Thank you to our Barkly Highway Community who alert the school or School Watch (131 788) when they see activity in the school grounds after hours.
Library News
It is the time of term and the year to return all library borrowing as well as home readers. At the end of Week 7, which is next Friday, all student borrowing is due back in preparation for our end of year procedures like stocktake.
Overdue notices are going out to families regularly. We will send overdues notes home early Week 8 with affected students. While we understand that a book could get lost or damaged, we would appreciate that you help to financially recover the cost so we can replace the item.
Book Club Issue #8 has arrived. Due to the short timeframe and the end of year fast approaching, the school is unable to take any orders. You are still able to browse through the brochure and order online to be delivered to your home address.
As always, please contact us with any queries you may have.
Kind Regards,
Svenja Spitzner-Lewis
2 Blue
Age-appropriate Pedagogies (AAP): In week 5, 2B spent the day searching for treasure. They utilised their math and digital technology skills to follow a treasure map, find clues, solve problems and crack codes along the way. It was a day thoroughly enjoyed by all!
Mouldy Bread Investigation – Year 6 Science
This term in science, Year 6 students have been working hard to investigate the best environment to store bread to minimise mould growth. Students had to plan their investigation by forming a prediction and completing a risk assessment, before choosing locations to store their bread over the course of 8 days. Throughout the unit students have been actively participating and having in depth discussions about why they thought the mould growth occurred on some bread and not others. They completed observations and graphed their results. Overall students had fun learning science through this hands-on experiment.
Jade Appelkamp
5/6 Green Teacher
Remembrance Day
