Impact of Teaching and Learning

This week I was fortunate to present at the 2024 Leaders Roadshow in Townsville. I was asked to present the reading improvement journey at Bowen State School and the impact we are having for the learners on this journey.  I spoke about the significant investment to build teacher capacity along the way and linked my presentation to the new Queensland governments reading position statement.  

At Bowen State School we keep our priorities true to the school’s number one priority being that All students reach their full potential in English. I spoke in Townsville around the range of effective practices such as investment in releasing staff each week to discuss the students in their class, purchasing of decodable readers and a highly efficient reading room. Differentiated support was unpacked and articulated to the audience around how we ensure all students can access the curriculum. The questions I shared is ‘How will we know if we have had the desired impact’ and ‘Do our tracking and monitoring check points support the clarity for the learner’?  

I was proud of all our staff and students and the opportunity to share our unique story with pride. 

Recently we hosted 30 leaders across the community for the term 2 Inclusion forum. Part of the visit was seeing the learning in 16 classes. We used the Bowen State school “Walks” protocols and enjoyed hearing the students respond to questions around how they are going in their learning and what feedback they were provided for their next steps.  

Some of the comments back to the staff from our guests were: 

“Engaged learners with the learning walls, students eager to be chosen, enjoyment for writing, excited learners, students voice, confidence in responses to the questions, pride from teachers & Impressive observation culture” 

Congratulations to the staff. It's great affirmation and acknowledgment of the hard work and impact of teaching and learning. Looking forward to sharing more great news stories of all the happenings here at Bowen State next fortnight.

Reflecting

As we approach the midpoint of the academic year, it's an opportune time to reflect on the achievements and milestones of Semester 1 while also looking ahead to set new goals for Semester 2.

Your child has undoubtedly made strides, overcome challenges, and demonstrated growth throughout this journey, and it's essential to celebrate these successes together.

Reflecting on Semester 1 allows us to recognise the hard work and dedication your child has put forth in their studies, extracurricular activities, and personal development. Whether it be academic achievements, improvements in critical skills, or contributions to the school community, each accomplishment is worth acknowledging and celebrating. Your support and encouragement have played a significant role in their progress, and we are grateful for your partnership in their education.

As we turn our focus to Semester 2, it's an ideal time to set new goals and try new things. Encourage your child to reflect on their experiences, identify areas for improvement, and envision what they hope to achieve in the coming months.

We encourage you to engage in open and supportive discussions with your child about their academic journey, aspirations, and challenges.

Your involvement and encouragement are invaluable in fostering a positive learning environment and empowering your child to strive for success next semester.

Thank you for your continued partnership and dedication to your child's education. Together, we can celebrate their achievements and pave the way for future success in Semester 2 and beyond.

PBL

Congratulations to Charlotte and Carly our week 8 PBL prize winners.

Be a learner -  Respect the rights of others to learn.

At Bowen State School, we prioritize creating a learning environment where every student has the opportunity to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Respecting the rights of others to learn encompasses a variety of behaviours and attitudes that contribute to a positive and inclusive learning environment. It means recognizing that every individual has the right to participate in class, express their ideas and opinions, and engage in learning activities free from disruption or interference.

As parents and guardians, your support in reinforcing this principle at home is invaluable. By fostering empathy, kindness, and a sense of responsibility towards others, you help instil in your child the understanding that their actions can impact the learning experiences of their peers. Encouraging open communication and emphasizing the importance of listening to others' perspectives further reinforces these values.

Attendance

At Bowen State School our attendance goal is 93%, unfortunately this weeks attendance was 88%.

Consistent attendance is vital because it directly correlates with academic performance. When students are present in class, they have the opportunity to engage in learning activities, participate in discussions, collaborate with peers, and receive valuable instruction from their teachers.

If your child is facing challenges that may affect their attendance, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.

We are here to support you and your child in overcoming any barriers to attendance and ensuring they have every opportunity to succeed.

This term, Year 1C have become subtraction ninjas! In Mathematics, the children have been learning how to solve addition and subtraction problems using a variety of strategies. The students have enjoyed drawing the problem, representing the problem with hands on materials, using a ten frame, along with a number line. Year 1C have especially enjoyed using a part-part-whole model, which provided the inspiration to become subtraction ninjas. To begin each maths lesson, the children clearly state the learning intention and we discuss the success criteria. This is then followed by dancing to ‘Kung Fu Fighting’. Oh what fun we have learning maths in Year 1C.

This term in Math, 2P have been learning to partition, regroup and rename numbers to 999. They have also been learning to read time to the hour, half hour and quarter hour on an analogue clock. Students have been applying calculation strategies to solve and represent practical money transactions. 

Fanfare 2024 Silver Award

Last week the combined concert band from Merinda and Bowen State Schools competed at Fanfare 2024 in Proserpine. This is Education Queensland’s state-wide ensemble competition. The band members played exceptionally well and were given a Silver Award. Quite a few members of the band had only ever performed in public with the band in the week before the competition, and the two school bands had only played together once before Fanfare.

We're thrilled to bring you the Prime Minister's Spelling Bee, an event that promotes a passion for words among students nationwide. Here's what you need to know:

1. The Countdown Begins: With the first school round commencing on 22nd July, the excitement is building! Students from schools across the country are eagerly gearing up, fine-tuning their spelling prowess, in the hopes of clinching the coveted title.
2. An Online Competition: This year, the Prime Minister's Spelling Bee will be conducted online, providing students with a unique opportunity to showcase their spelling prowess from the comfort of their own school. Stay tuned for further details about the competition format.
3. Educational Enrichment: Participation in the Spelling Bee offers invaluable educational benefits for your child. Beyond enhancing spelling skills, it enriches vocabulary and fosters language comprehension. Encourage your child to take on the challenge.
4. Stay Informed: To keep up to date with announcements about the Spelling Bee, follow our Facebook page and check your email inbox for expert tips to facilitate your child's success.
5. Consent Forms: Term 3, week 1 will see the distribution of consent forms for the Prime Minister's Spelling Bee. Rest assured, there is no cost associated with participation. Kindly ensure that you review and return the consent forms promptly to indicate your child's interest in taking part in this enriching competition.

We eagerly anticipate witnessing the exceptional talent and enthusiasm displayed by all participants in the Prime Minister's Spelling Bee. If you have any questions please contact Mrs Smalley tsmal17@eq.edu.au .

Warm regards,

Therese Smalley

(Head Of Curriculum)

As we approach Term 3, we're excited to share with you the collaborative efforts of our teaching teams in planning an enriching curriculum focused on building your child's speaking and listening skills.

With this vision in mind, our teachers will come together to design a Term 3 curriculum that fosters creativity, confidence, and effective communication. Central to our curriculum in Term 3 is the development of speaking and listening skills, to make a presentation. In today's interconnected world, the ability to articulate ideas, express thoughts coherently, and actively listen to others is more crucial than ever.

Students will learn the art of persuasion, storytelling, and effective presentation techniques. Our teachers will provide ongoing support and explicit teaching, to help students build their speaking skills; such as using volume, tone, pace and facial expressions, to engage their audience.

As partners in your child's education, we encourage you to engage with them at home by asking about their presentations and providing encouragement.

Therese Smalley
Head of Curriculum