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“Reading to learn”
Last week I was privileged to attend a 1-day master class of professional learning around Education Queensland’s new reading position and what it means for our school. We heard the research around the latest approach to teaching students to read and acknowledge that learning to read is not a natural skill. Research states we must explicitly teach the vital components of reading in a logical order. Students become confident with reading when they are successful.
“Learning to read is a process that needs step-by-step teaching and plenty of practise at school and at home. Unlike walking or talking, reading is not a skill that we learn naturally — everyone needs to be taught how to read.”
At Bowen State School we have already commenced moving to the best practices around the new way to teach reading and have been purchasing decodable readers that align to this approach. Teaching reading through the v9 Australian Curriculum and including the tailored and differentiated supports with all our children will help them become independent and confident at reading.
For the remainder of the year we will be differentiating the support to the classroom teachers, providing time and professional development at our school in the ways they can effectively deliver the components of reading for each and every child. I have included the reading position statement for families to view in this week’s newsletter and some information for families around how we teach children to read.
We invite all parents and carers at Bowen State School to join the P&C! The P&C meet every second Monday of each month at 3:15pm in the school library. You can also join the meeting from the comfort of your own home via Teams!
The next P&C Meeting is on Monday 11th March 2024 at 3:15pm.
Week 6 Newsletter
We would like to thank Parents, Carers and the community for the on-going support to ensure that our strong focus on learning and high expectations for student success.
Everyday Counts!
Being at school every day counts. There is important learning happening in all of our classrooms every day. If your child is absent one day per week, this quickly adds up to two months of missed school in a year. At Bowen State School our whole school attendance target is 93% currently our attendance target sits at 92%.
PBL
This fortnights focus is be responsible for our own emotions, behaviours, belongings and learning. It also includes accepting the consequence.
earning.
Please discuss this valuable message at home with your child.
What’s new
Hearing students voice is important and brings exciting value to our school.
A student voice box has been created and will be available for students to communicate ideas and thoughts they have to improve our school. It is important that students at Bowen State School feel heard and their needs and innovative ideas are being addressed.
PBL Easter Raffle
There is a lot of excitement amongst our students because in week 10 at the famous Bowen Easter hat parade students will be rewarded with the chance of winning an Easter prize. We are asking all families to support this by donating an easter egg. This helps us finish the term strong with a fun was to reward students for following our school values. Thank you for your support.
Examples of donations we are seeking could include:
- Easter Eggs
- Easter Bunnies
- Craft Activities
- Any other prizes that could be used in a raffle pack
Bec Cremona
Deputy Principal
Sue Thompson
Head of Department (HOD) - Engagement
Prep P have been very busy in their English work this term, listening to stories for enjoyment and connecting the events and characters in the story to something that has happened to them in real life.
Our latest book we have read was the classic “Edward the Emu”. Lots of discussion was enjoyed about making friends and how feeling like you belong is about being yourself.
This week, we made lion masks and emu faces for Art. Our students enjoyed the fine motor practise of cutting and gluing. We also painted little black lion noses on them, much to their delight.
Writing and reading skills have been a large focus for our learning experiences so for this term, and embraced enthusiastically by our class. We have commenced writing words, using correct letter formation with the sounds they know and blending and segmenting CVC words to read. They are very impressed with themselves and will continue to progress as the term goes on.
Year 1C have become pattern detectives this week! The children have been busy locating patterns in their classroom, along with the natural environment. Did you know that bee hives, snake skins and butterfly wings all have amazing patterns? The students have also been creating AB, AABB and ABC patterns. In Year 1 C, we are learning that patterns have a repeating series or sequence. The children are becoming pattern experts and are able to talk about their patterns and share the repeating element!
In 3R we are learning about living and non living things and the changes we go through in life. We've read the wonderful book 'Window' by Jeannie Baker and began creating our very own windows showing a snapshot of what we look like now as 7, 8 and 9 year olds. Next we will be creating windows showing what we think we will look like in 20 years time and how the world around us may change.
Year 4 are learning all about lifecycles in science. We were fortunate enough to have Mr Forrester from Coral Coast Barramundi farm come and speak to us about the lifecycle of a Barramundi fish. The class got to see a fresh Barramundi up close, investigate its gills, scales and mouth. Mr Forrester brought in some juvenile barramundi in jars to look at and year 4 discussed what impacts the lifecycle of the local barramundi fish. The year 4 students were very engaged and had lots of questions and stories about what they knew about Barramundi.
Cooinda Family Centre
20 Williams St, Bowen
4786 3866
Programs running Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm, for families and children to learn and play in a safe environment. Our support workers are available to assist you with other community referrals where required also.
Pop in and say hello to our friendly team Xena, Jade, Emma and Kelly to see which one of our many groups would best suit you.
-Bindi Bindi Playgroup
-Building Blocks
-Stay N Play
-Drop-in Baby Clinic and Baby Play
-Parent Support
-Stand alone care
As an Early Years Centre, we provide a FREE service that supports the early years development of our children and the lasting effect this has for their future.
We look forward to seeing you!
