SEMESTER ONE REPORTS/PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS

Semester One Reports will be available to parents via COMPASS on Friday 18 June. Parent Teacher Interviews will take place the week beginning 21 June. Booking times for Semester One Parent Teacher Interviews will be opened on COMPASS on Tuesday 1 June. Timeslots are 15 minutes each. Please use the COMPASS online booking system to book in your time with class teachers. If for some reason you are unable to attend during this week, please contact the class teacher directly. Online bookings will close on Friday 11 June at 3.00 pm.

TIPS TO ASSIST CHILDREN WITH WRITING

Following on from the information last week about the Writer’s Notebook, I thought it would be beneficial to include some information for parents about encouraging children with writing at home.

Your child will write longer creative pieces as they move through primary school. They will write in different genres and explore non-fiction and persuasive writing.

Some general tips to help with your child’s writing in these years include:

• Continue to encourage them to write for everyday skills. This includes writing recipes, family messages, shopping lists and greeting cards.
• Make sure they have an appropriate place to write, such as a desk in a quiet room.
• Provide stationery, such as coloured pens and pencils, and different coloured paper.
• It is always helpful to discuss the writing topic with your child before they start to write. This will give your child ideas and confidence to start writing.
• Discuss the topic your child is writing about. Write down a few arguments or story plot points to help them. They can then expand on these points.
• Encourage your child to write different genres, such as fantasy, realism and adventure.
• Encourage your child to write different types of texts such as poems, short plays or film scripts.
• Use a book your child has read as a springboard into creative writing.
• Persuasive writing will become a focus at school, particularly in high school. Encourage your child to write down their opinions and ideas about specific issues.
• Encourage your child to edit their work for mistakes before they show you. They should also make sure the writing makes sense. Getting your child to read their work out loud is a good technique to find mistakes in writing.
• Using a dictionary helps with spelling mistakes.
• Using a thesaurus helps to expand your child’s vocabulary.

Some fun activities might include:

• Encourage your child to keep a diary, so they can record their feelings and experiences.
• Write a review of a book or film. Encourage your child to have an opinion about the relative good and bad points, and how to improve the film.
• Create ‘found poetry.’ Pick 20 random lines and phrases from books or poems and arrange them into a new poem. It can be fun to discuss the possibilities of joining different lines. And the changes in meaning these create.
• Give your child a topic that has two clear sides, such as “Homework should be banned.” Ask your child to write a few paragraphs outlining their arguments for and against.
• If your child has recently finished a novel or film, ask them to write creatively in response to it. They might write an alternative ending, a short sequel, or write a series of diary entries.

VALUES AWARDS – WEEK 5

K GREEN

Oliver S – Doing Your Best – For doing your best in all areas of learning

Riaan P – Celebration – For always celebrating the achievements of his peers

K GOLD

Karissa-Angel K – Faith – For your reverence when participating in meditation

Kurtis F – Leadership – For being a model to others by consistently following the  school rules

K BLUE

Kristine Y – Compassion – For caring for those in need

Petra V – Stewardship – For showing initiative and caring for our school gardens

1 GREEN

Jack A – Celebration - For always supporting and encouraging the learning of your peers

Samuel V – Stewardship – For caring for our classroom and outdoor environment

1 GOLD

Jack G – Celebration - For the way in which he congratulates and celebrates the achievements of his peers

Lio P – Stewardship - For always taking care of our classroom and school environments

1 BLUE

Tyler B – Celebration – For always congratulating others on their successes

Indie S – Compassion – For always being willing to offer assistance and help to others

2 GREEN

Nate G – Doing Your Best – For composing an entertaining narrative during writing

Daniela A – Faith – For her reverent participation during meditation

2 GOLD

Jaxson H – Doing Your Best – For showing initiative with your learning and sharing these experiences with others.

Nicole M – Faith – For contributing well thought out ideas during Religion discussions

2 BLUE

Kayla N – Faith – For being kind and caring towards her peers

Jocelyn C – Doing your Best – For trying to include everything that she has been taught in class into her writing

MRS LILLIAN DEL GUIDICE

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL