Sharpening our feedback

School leaders are currently working with the year levels to reignite the school strategic work around maths and reading. Weekly reflective conversations around the evidence of student learning and setting goals has been a priority. This recent work coincided nicely with a visit last week from Graham Foster the Assistant Regional Director. The “Walkthroughs” into classrooms were powerful and it was great to see students engaged in the learning. The questions asked of students were How are you going? What do you already know? and How can you improve? It was great to see students engaged in the learning and confidently talking about the learning walls in classrooms. Graham was impressed with the consistency of the learning and enjoyed the opportunity to catch up face to face with students and staff.

Playgroup creating successful transitions to Prep

Our school has recommenced our highly successful playgroup here at Bowen State School. We run a structured program, which includes a morning of planned activities and focussed learning. Parents and children are loving the interactions through play and a wonderful opportunity for families to connect with each other. Our playgroup will be running Professional Learning opportunities this year for parents and engaging with experts from the community. As a principal with early years teaching experience and background I can see the strong opportunities for child development and social interactions through the play based environment. I also understand the importance of connection for families is vital for a healthy and successful transition throughout a child’s life. Can I welcome new members and encourage families to join our Bowen State School Playgroup facebook page for updates and information about what we offer.

Playground Grant

Our school was successful in applying for a grant through the Abbot Point Operations Corporate Social Responsibility Program 2020-2021. Our school has received $20 000 which will be used to support our playgroup by providing a new age appropriate playground. Our Year one and Prep students will also benefit from the access to this exciting new piece of equipment. Our proposed site is to adjoin the exiting play equipment at the front our school grounds. Additional school funds will ensure construction will start shortly on this project. I would like to thank Abbot Point operations for their generous contribution for this fantastic addition to our school.

Looking forward to sharing more great stories happening in our school over the next fortnight. Until then have a wonderful couple of weeks.

I believe in: Hard Work Honesty Transparency

Christien Payne

Principal

Attendance - Crunch Time of Term

The end of term 3 is fast approaching which means a busy time for all of our students and teachers classrooms. Over the next couple of weeks, until the end of term, students will be completing their final assessment pieces. These assessment pieces will be graded and go towards each students final reporting grade, so coming to school is crucial. If you know that your child is going to be away at some point over the next 2 weeks, then please contact your child’s teacher to discuss what arrangements can be made so that your child can complete their assessment pieces. This will ensure your child receives a report grade that will reflect their full potential.

Curriculum News  

Our teachers, teacher aides and students continue to work hard in all areas of the curriculum and now that most students are back learning in the classroom, we are accelerating the key work we committed to do in our explicit improvement agenda.

1. Improving the reading outcomes for all students
2. Improving the mathematical problem solving outcomes for all students

Staff have been involved in planning sessions where we determine teaching strategies based on individual student data and then set goals to help move the students to the next stage of their learning. It is very exciting to hear our students clearly talk about what they need to do to improve their reading and maths skills.

Another important component of improving student outcomes involves teachers watching others work and sharing their skills across the school.

Here is Mrs Payne sharing her “Inking your Thinking” reading strategies with Year 4 students.

                               

Reporting for Semester 1, 2020 will look slightly different to our usual report cards. Our students have missed several weeks of face-to-face teaching and learning with their classroom teachers. While they have been learning at home, this learning was not assessed and nor will it be reported on. Reports will continue to communicate information to parents, carers and students about achievement and progress, but will include the following modifications:

• Reports will include a minimum of four learning areas-English, Mathematics, Science and one other area.
• Reports will include a behaviour comment.
• Reports will include an overall comment.
• Reports will not include Semester 1 attendance.

The modified report card will be a summary of your child’s achievement against expected year level standards in these curriculum areas. The learning studied over the reporting period will include Term 1 evidence and modified Term 2 programs of learning.

Report cards will be emailed at the end of Week 3 next term. This later time frame will allow teachers more time for teaching and learning, before they gather any final evidence about a child’s achievement for the report card.

Please ensure that the office has your current preferred email address.

Maxine Hillery

Head of Curriculum

CEC Report

Everyday our little office is packed full of students wanting to check in, or just hang out for 10minutes.

Our office is always a hive of activity and we have several frequent flyers who seek out a little solitude with either myself or chappy. Both  Chappy Beau and I attempt to get these students out and socialising but this has proven difficult as some students rely on that one on one support/discussion around their day.

In order to alleviate the issues that arise from students congregating at our door, Chappy Beau or myself will be out and about each break so we can support students who need to socialise with their peers.

Both the girls group and boys groups are practising their dances for their UTube Video for Virtual NAIDOC. CEC has also started a Girls Group Friends for Life that was a success on the first day. This group is on Mondays at first break and we met in the E Block Kitchen. All students are welcome to attend. Students can attend casually or can sign up for the 10 week program that has a Graduation at the end of the 10 weeks.

We are hopeful, to still have the Deadly Choices in Term 4 if permissible. Otherwise we will look for other opportunities to run some sort of Health Forum for the school. We hope to have Girudala  with their deadly Health and Wellbeing Staff on board with something exciting.

Big thanks to Gareth and Buddy who are attending the Boys Group each Thursday. This is an invaluable resource as our young male students can also discuss Mens Business or just Cultural LORE and building that foundation of having a sound understanding of Culture. The students are learning that one day it will be them that will be the custodians of their culture and show keen interest in learning from these young men.

Thanks for all the support.

GO Update

Zones of Regulation Task: Mapping your emotions.  Knowing what zones we are in via zone colour then helps us to identify our emotions.  We all experience a range of emotions daily, that is okay.  It is okay to be angry at times, it's how we behave when angry that counts. 

Watch this video together and identify the emotions from the movie 'Inside out'

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=youtube+zones+of+regulation+inside+out&docid=608022899090195211&mid=8C034DD97F9334EE22EB8C034DD97F9334EE22EB&view=detail&FORM=VIRE

At different times of the day map your emotions on the chart below and that of your family members. 

We have made it to the end of our learning at home journey! Well done everyone and a big thank you to our wonderful parents who supported each and every student through this period. We are glad to see you back and look forward to hearing about all the interesting things or new skills you have learnt during your time at home.

If you are feeling worried about returning to school, please remember that the people who were here to support you during Term 1 are here to support you again. Please reach out to your Learning Engagement Teacher, HOSE or another staff member if you are feeling in need of support at any time. Your teachers understand that the last few weeks have not always been ‘smooth sailing’. 

We welcome back to our ECDP families, we have certainly missed you all, our students have been working on their sharing and turn taking over the week incorporating our music lessons from Ms Conway. Our students certainly have their favourite instruments and songs of choice. We have started to look at our Jungle theme which will carry over into our community Playgroup on Friday, were we welcome all families from 9am to 11am.

It is now with regret that I wish to advise that the 2020 Challenge Games scheduled for July 29th & 30th has been CANCELLED.

Now for some exciting news with our upper school teachers that have been working hard behind the scenes to support our students with a focus on breathing techniques and using our Zones of Regulation to ease the transition back post COVID. Our learners are engaging in some wonderful activities including kinetic sand, use of PEAPOD and social skills lessons and we look forward to sharing some great photos with you.