Writing as a focus

This term our whole school focus is around writing improvement. The strategies to achieve this include a text that the teachers are studying at our staff meeting which provide targeted strategies and idea’s to support the teaching of the Australian Curriculum. As a leadership team we are also supporting teachers with their writing goals for students. At this school leaders meet each week for an hour with the classroom teacher to discuss marker students and plan the next steps and goals around writing improvement. Since my arrival I have found this to be a productive, rich and authentic opportunity to take a deep dive into the evidence of student learning. At Bowen State School leaders and teachers work alongside each other to measure our impact and plan the next steps for your child. Our School and Community all want successful learners and that we are creating independent and resilient, happy students. Well done to all staff and students for your positive engagement in this great work so far this term.

Communities of Practice

In two weeks I travel to Townsville to co present the current work around Oral Language in Prep at the Community of Practice Forum. Our school has been identified as having outstanding practices in this space and the evidence of our success is being collected and written up by the region. At our school we have being focusing on supporting our student’s oral language and implementing effective strategies and intervention. We know that good oral language is extremely important to be an effective reader, Writer and used across the curriculum.

A strength within our work is also the relationships outside the gate with the local kindergartens and the community networking that is highly valued and engaged within the members of our prep staff and leaders. Our challenges are identified at these meetings and we will be bringing back our next steps to enact with our wonderful and dedicated prep staff. Looking forward to sharing more great news stories for the fortnight. Until then have a great couple of weeks.

What I Believe in

Hard Work

Honesty

Transparency