Young Minds Solve Big Problems
The problem of litter in our school grounds has become a growing concern. Last week, some of the Junior Joggers decided to collect the litter in the grounds and present the problem at Assembly.
This presented a wonderful opportunity for the girls from Prep to Year 6 to address a common problem through a collaborative team effort.
The girls worked in their House groups to brainstorm ideas on combating the litter problem. The House Captains led their groups admirably, noting all the wonderful ideas which will be presented in a PowerPoint by each House at this week’s Assembly. From the may ideas presented, the teachers and students will select a range of them to put into action.
Some of the ideas discussed were:
- Having nude food days where food comes without wrapping
- All rubbish goes in lunchboxes and is taken home
- Named canteen orders found on the ground will earn 2 demerit points…
The girls all took this task very seriously, especially when led by the older Barbreck girls. It was a true demonstration of how young minds can work together to solve big problems.
Launch of Continuous Reporting
Our first round of continuous reporting in Mathematics for Years 4 to 6 was posted online last week, with specialist subject reports to follow before the end of term.
Continuous reporting is the process of providing feedback on the progress a student is making with their learning at key intervals throughout the year.
Feedback is provided in two formats – a comment and a rubric. A rubric describes the knowledge and skills a student should demonstrate at each of the five levels of achievement, Emerging to Extending, for each of the subject components for the year.
For example, in Mathematics:
| Area Assessed | Emerging | Developing | Demonstrating | Advancing | Extending | |
| NUMBER | Recognise equivalent fractions | Beginning to represent and interpret models of most proper fractions | Developing the ability to identify and describe examples of equivalent fractions | Independently finds equivalent forms of fractions using related denominators | Can create and use a fraction wall and explain equivalent fractions with different denominators | Can identify and describe ways of making equivalent fractions by multiplying or dividing |
| NUMBER | Make connections between fractions and decimal | Beginning to use the decimal point in money and measures | Developing the ability to record some fractions as decimals | Independently applies place value to hundredths and can use models to represent decimals | Can interpret and read decimal fractions in a variety of ways | Can identify the most efficient form of a fraction depending on how it is to be used |
The rubric above was designed for work covered in Year 4 on fractions. The coloured squares indicate where the student is situated currently. As the year progresses, the student can see the progress they have made and what they need to learn or work on next.
The second feedback format is comment. Teachers will explain the rubric to students at the beginning of, and throughout, units of work. That way they know the direction their learning is going and what they need to demonstrate to reach each level of achievement. This feedback provides clarity for the students and helps them take on some of the ownership of their learning.
TERM 3 IMPORTANT DATES
| 6 September | Australian Interschool Snowsports, begin |
| 7 September | District Athletics |
| 12 September | Arts Week begins |
| 16 September | End of Term (3.20pm) |
*Please note these dates may be subject to change.
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Out of School Hours Care – Term 3 Week 8 Activities and Spring Holidays Vacation Care
Upcoming activities for Term 3 Week 8 are detailed here.
St Catherine’s School offers an Out of School Hours Care program to all ELC and Junior School families. The program is implemented by our provider ‘After the Bell’ and operates within the ELC building. Parents are reminded that if you need to use the Before School Care or After School Care service, registrations need to be made in advance with ‘After the Bell’. Please allow up to five business days for your registration to be processed before your child can begin attending the program. Registration is free. All families are encouraged to register so that they can use this service in the event that you are unable to pick up your child.
Before School Care – 7.00am to 8.45am
After School Care – 3.00pm to 6.00pm
Registrations can be completed via the ‘After the Bell’ website.
Please phone 9758 6744 for all inquiries.
Book online now to secure your place at After the Bell for vacation care this school holidays. Bookings can be made here.
