Student Voice and Agency

Planning for improved student learning

Celebrations of Learning

On Friday 3 February, our Year 6 students participated in the Aspire Higher Leadership Program.  The day long incursion focused on building positive peer relationships, what it means to lead with or without a badge, teamwork and students identifying their strengths and the strengths of others around them.  Below are some Year 6 student reflections on the day 

On Friday we had an incursion on leadership.  I learned that there is the prophet leader, the planner leader, and the people leader. The prophet leader is someone who mostly makes the ideas, the planner leader takes the ideas from the prophet leader and does the info and the people leader is very compassionate and includes people. Addison B (6-PF)

 Last Friday the Year 6 students had an incursion in the hall about being a leader with or without a badge. It was really fun because we got into different groups and most people that were in our groups probably wouldn't be people that we would usually work with but it was really interesting and fun. We learned all about the importance of Teamwork and how important it is to be a leader whether we are at school or not. Adiel B (6-PF)

Last Friday we had two people Jamie and Gill come and teach us about leadership. What I learned is that you’re a leader with or without a badge and to be a leader you have to be a good role model to the younger kids, even understand that your help can make a big impact in someone's life and they can remember it for all their life without you realizing.  Jaime and Gill also taught us about ASPIRE, where every letter has a meaning and we learned the meaning of each letter. ASPIRE stands for ACTION, SERVE, PERSISTENCE, INFLUENCE, RESPECT, ENCOURAGE.  They split us into groups with people we didn't usually bond with and we had a BFFT (best friend for today) and had to do different activities and games with them. Telina T (6-PF)

On Friday both 6MV and 6PF went to the hall and talked about leaders, the key message of Friday was we are leaders with and without a badge. Personally I do have a badge but Friday taught me about how we can still all be leaders and not miss out! We learned a lot about teamwork and working together with people who aren't your friends! This day told me lots about everyone else and getting to know others. We were told about how you are a role model and you are important with or without a badge, overall everyone should be proud of participating and working with people they usually don't work with! Sienna B  (6MV)

I think it was really fun and I absolutely had a ball.  I learnt a lot that just because I don't have a badge doesn't mean I don't have the same rights as the people who do have a badge. I really enjoyed all the activities and the jokes that the host made and I also think that everyone else had fun Jayden M (6MV)

On Friday the 3rd of February everyone in Grade 6 attended an all day incursion about Leadership. It was great to learn about how to be a leader with or without a badge and how to express your leadership skills inside and outside of school. Everyone in Grade 6 also did an epic race in groups ,expressing leadership and helping others through different leadership problems and troubles. This helped us to get to know other people and to also help people we don't know go through things that are their weakness and strengths. Amelia C (6-MV)

On Friday 3rd of February the Year 6s went to Allen Hall to learn about the importance of leadership and experiencing that extra responsibility over all. We got the true meaning behind what a leader is and learnt that like in rock paper scissors we all have different strengths and weaknesses, but we are still as imperfect and equal as one another. The whole incursion was held by two lovely people Jamie and Gilbert (Gil) and told us their stories of when they saw someone showing leadership in their past. Everybody seemed to love doing fun games and activities filled with bonding and encouragement for others. This was the best incursion ever! Lily C (6MV)

I think the program ' Aspire Higher ' was very good. It made us get out of our comfort zone, they challenged us and we embraced every moment. We had to use teamwork, we had fun and we learned how to be a proper leader and how to show qualities of a leader in the school. They helped us to find what type of leader we could be. So we thank Aspire Higher for helping us! - David O (6MV)

I really enjoyed the leadership incursion on Friday the 3rd of February. I would like to thank Gill and Jamie for being there and teaching us about leadership. I loved the idea of the BFFT -BEST FRIEND FOR TODAY-  and the groups. I wasn't very close with anyone in the group, or my BFFT and so I made some new friends. I loved the activities and especially the cup and jigsaw puzzle. The two activities really encouraged us to work together. Thanks to the teachers who organised this incursion as well. - Annabelle I (6 MV) 

Last Friday all the year 6’s had a leadership incursion. It was about being a leader with or without a badge. The instructors of the incursion really encouraged us to sit with someone that we don’t know very well. We split up into 8 different groups and completed different challenges. The teachers or instructors would give us bonus points based on if we used the aspire frame, the A stands for ACTION, The S was SERVE, The P was PERSIST, The I was INFLUENCE, The R was RESPECT and the E was ENCOURAGE. It was a really fun experience and we learnt a lot. Kate M (6MV)

https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/assessment/f-10assessment/naplan/Pages/parents/index.aspx

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) assesses literacy and numeracy skills that are essential for every student to progress through school and life. Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 participate in the annual NAPLAN tests in reading, writing, language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.

The tests provide parents and schools with an understanding of how individual students are performing at the time of the tests. NAPLAN tests are just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process; they do not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance.

NAPLAN tests also provide schools, education authorities and governments with information about how education programs are working and whether young Australians are meeting important educational outcomes in literacy and numeracy.

All students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 are expected to participate in the annual NAPLAN tests.

If your child regularly utilises adjustments in their classroom, it may be possible for these to be used. Where applicable you are encouraged to discuss the use of disability adjustments for your child with your child’s teacher.

A formal exemption may be granted for a student with significant intellectual disability and/or significant coexisting conditions, or for a student who has recently arrived in Australia and has a non-english speaking background. Your school can give you more information on disability adjustments or the process required to gain a formal exemption.

2023 NAPLAN Information for Parents can be found in a range of languages. Please visit the website above for more information.

Staff Professional Learning - Bravehearts Training Webinar

Last Monday afternoon, Staff participated in Child Safety Training with a Bravehearts facilitator with the aim to Educate, Empower and Protect.  The Staff training covered types and indicators of child abuse, harmful sexual and offending behaviours, building a Child Safe Culture in our school and ongoing Child Safety awareness.  Staff were able to reflect on the Child Safety measures we have in place in our school including the important focus of empowering students - building their student voice and agency in this very important area.  We look forward to working with our Year 6 student leaders to revise and shape the Student Friendly version of our Child Safe Policy.

School Day

Just a reminder to parents that the school day begins at 8.45 am.  The Welcome Garden front gate and Lowry Court gate are open at 8.30 am.  We ask parents if they are dropping off their child before 8.30 am to use the YLV Before and After School Care facility located in the Lomas Gym.  The school day finishes at the new time of 3.10 pm.

Student Learning Conversations (Parent Teacher Interviews)

The beginning of the year Student Learning Conversations will be held on:

• Tuesday 7 March, 2023 from 3.40 pm - 6.20 pm
• Wednesday 8 March, 2023 from 3.40 pm - 6.20 pm

The purpose of this time is to acquaint yourself with your child’s teacher and for your child to share their learning data, goals and strategies for the Term.  As a school we value the opportunity for students to be active in their learning, to meet with parents and to establish a positive working partnership for the 2023 school year.  More information will be sent home to parents regarding the booking process for the Student Learning Conversations in the coming weeks.

Canteen - new opening day - Friday 17 February

The Canteen will be open for orders via CDF Pay -  Friday 17 February.  Thank you for your understanding.

Important Dates, School Events and Student Free days

The newsletter is published weekly each Thursday afternoon.  We strongly encourage you to subscribe to the Mary MacKillop SchoolZine App [SZApp] to receive the newsletter, school information, updates on school events, alerts and emergency information.

We look forward to an exciting year of learning and working in partnership with you.