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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
Safety at pickup
We are aware of some dangerous instances occurring when parents are coming to pick up their children after school. Double parking, using incorrect parking spaces and not following the “lollypop ladies” directions all put the lives of our children at risk. The police have been informed and are starting to make increased patrols near the school at dismissal time. I have also observed parents encouraging their child to cross over the road to the middle parking bays without using the crossing. This is irresponsible and puts the child at risk.
Attendance
Every day counts: Our teachers are the best, but no matter how good they are, they cannot teach your child if they are not here. The knowledge or content they miss now can have a big influence on their future. Your child needs to be genuinely ill for them to miss school, if you or your child just want to have a day off, that is unacceptable!
School opinion survey
Every year Education Queensland asks students, staff and parents to give their opinion about various matters related to the running of the school. If you received a letter inviting you to participate can I please encourage you to go online and complete the survey, it closes this week. Your opinion counts!
Smiley Badge
Prep
| Heidi DeGroot |
| Jessica Shannon |
| Jaida Locke |
| Tilly Rewald |
| Axton Newman |
| Phoenix Leapai |
Year 1
| Brendan Tobane |
| Riley Ayres |
| Logan Pollard |
| Darcy Matheson |
Year 2
| Noah Richards |
| Jacob Medhurst |
| Molly Fowler |
| Keegan Phelps |
| Taylor Peacock |
| Ava Von Pein |
Year 3
| Kelecia Terare |
| Chelci Jensen |
| Reuben Jorgensen |
| Noah Sherwood |
| Noah Murphy |
Silver Badge
Year 4
| Emma Samuels |
| Khaleb Pitogo |
| Penina Prise |
| Hayden Farley |
| Phi Le |
Year 5
Gold Badge
| Peachers (ella) Fowler |
| Hannah Sherwood |
| Keisha Sigley |
P/1C
P/1C are creating and presenting retells of traditional cultural stories. Prep children have described their likes and dislikes and year 1 children have completed a written retell on the story "How the birds got their colours".
2C
2C are learning all about coding this term. We have been using the ipads to learn about different types of coding. We have also been able to use the Ollie Bots, these are electrically propelled computers with on board intelligence, that connect to an ipad. 2C have loved working with the Ollie Bots.
4/5C
This term students in 4/5C have been learning about The First Fleet. They have enjoyed discovering how people came to Australia and the living conditions on-board the transportation ships. We have used charcoal and oil pastels to draw our own replica ship.
5/6C
Frogs galore in 5/6C.
Last week the students were given the task to draw a frog. They had to follow instructions carefully, and then use oil pastels and dye to colour.
Science Week
We celebrated Science Week at BSS with classes participating in a range of hands on science and technology activities. Students followed procedures and directions carefully and then used these experiences to make predictions and solve problems. They enjoyed working as part of a team!
Healthy Eats
Matt from Healthy Eats will return to BSS next Wednesday to check in on students in Years 4-6 who have been taking part in the four week fruit and vegetable classroom challenge. Students have been keeping a record of the number of fruit and vegetables they eat at school each day. Classes are competing with each other for the chance to win a Healthy Eats Lunchtime Picnic. We hope this initiative will promote healthy eating behaviours by providing an opportunity for students to boost their daily fruit and vegetable intake as well as try new fruits and vegetables in a positive eating environment with their classmates.
ICAS TESTING
This year the ICAS tests will be online. They will be conducted during weeks 8,9 &10. The timetable is as follows:
Science: 05 September
Writing: 10 September
Spelling: 12 September
English: 17 September
Mathematics: 19 September
Our performance at the Senior Concert went well, the students behaviour was excellent and they performed with gusto. Great Work Everyone!! Thanks also to all the hard work by Mrs. Conway and Mr. Conway transporting and organising the performances. We are now working towards the Bowen Area IM Workshop on Thursday the 7th of November which will be held at BSS Activities Hall – this workshop will also include the other schools in our district and will have a short concert at its’ culmination. More information will be sent out before the end of term.
On a different note, some students are mixing up their music and cases at the school. Students should have their folders named so this doesn’t happen. Many instrument cases look much the same so students should make sure that they are putting their instrument in the right cases or it gets tricky to stocktake effectively. I try and manage this in lessons but sometimes they get mixed up in classrooms and at performances etc.
Yours in Music,
Jason O.
Hello Bowen State School families!
So far this term we have started our ALIVE mentoring program and Rock and Water program. This week at ALIVE the boys will be learning some boxing skills and talking about self-control and discipline. Gareth Prior will also get to share with the boys about his experience and journey as a professional boxer. In Rock and Water we have been working on keeping our focus. We have been doing this by keeping eye contact and not being distracted by others. The students in 2A did a great job this week.
Have a great weekend everyone,
Adam Goode
Chaplain
A sea of yellow hope set to hit Bowen State School!
On Friday the 30th of August, the Student Council will be holding a YELLOW (or another bright colour) free dress day for a gold coin donation. We will also be selling Cancer Council merchandise on the parade grounds before school and in the office.
