Term 2 Week 4 2022

Principal's Message

Dear families and friends,

‘We do whatever it takes to lead the way in Love, Learning, Faith, School Spirit, Sport & Community’

                    Fees Waived for all SMP students in 2022

Beef Week Street Parade: Our School Parading at 1:45pm on Saturday 28 May - meet at Graham Place in costume.

There Needs to Be Change: I am not a fan of teacher strikes, as I’m sure you have realised during Covid and the floods, I want our kids at school with their teacher.  However, I do believe there needs to be some big changes in Education to better support our kids, teachers, principals and schools.

In my opinion, some changes I believe we need:

• Too many ‘experts’ keep telling us what we need to do.  I’m talking about the far removed from schools, and often financially benefitting academics, bureaucrats and salesmen. We need more autonomy to do what we know is best for our kids that is evidence based and contextualized to SMP Casino. I am pretty much allowed free range when it comes to behaviour management, pastoral care, community based things etc., but when it comes to teaching and learning, the very thing that I have a great team of experts in at SMP, too many people outside of the classroom and school want to tell me what we need to do. 
• The curriculum is far too full. We need to be able to spend more time particularly in the early years on Literacy & Numeracy. We want to be able to continue to do creative and fun activities too. The curriculum is making this so difficult for us and can knock the ‘flair’, ‘passion’ and ‘creativity’ out of good teachers.
• Teachers and I do far too many ‘Compliance’ tasks that are designed as accountability activities because of lack of trust.  We constantly have to prove that we are doing what others want us to do ... just spending more time ticking boxes.  These administration tasks do nothing for your child and their learning and take away from us planning and creating great learning. I’m not advocating for us doing less work, but spending more time on what makes an impact and matters. 

It feels like we have to record every time a child scratches an itch. What caused the itch? How could you have intervened to stop the itch? How long was the scratch? When did they start scratching? Was the scratch effective in resolving the itch? What could have been more effective than scratch? How many observations were completed and do you have enough evidence of the scratch?   Have you tracked their scratching technique over time for improvement?  Did you inform their parents via Dojo? etc. etc.  

Planning, tracking, assessment, data and monitoring is all essential, but at the moment it is excessive, confusing and has not improved student results and led to stress for all involved.

• Parents are the first educators and need to be comfortable with what and how the school is educating their children. As educators we need to fully support parents in their role as lead educators. A very small minority of parents over my time have taken up so much of my time and the time of the teacher, in my opinion, being quite selfish and achieving little.  We need to be open to criticism and feedback but, also to be allowed to do our role effectively. In the past, the way I have been spoken to and treated alongside some teachers is not OK.
• Universities are not setting our future teachers up for success. In my opinion, the way education is provided by universities for teachers is out of touch, ineffective and out of date. You don’t see university professors striking. I have completed a Bachelor of Education, A Masters of RE and a Masters of Educational Leadership over 9 years and learnt more in spending one week in a Kindergarten classroom.

Our Education system instructs us to promote our kids to be highly critical thinkers, but I feel this is not often afforded to us, on the ground Educators.  Despite all of this, I spend so much time thinking and enacting what is best for our kids and community, sometimes in conflict with what the system may tell me is right.  We will continue to do this at SMP.

I know I am blessed with good pay, good conditions and good holidays. I am so happy and very privileged to be the principal of this school and an active member of this community. I love coaching my Under 15s League team of little champions. Our SMP kids give me so much energy, life and joy each and every day.  I also really genuinely love my staff too. 

Thank you to our parent community, for showing respect to me and my team. This team does go above and beyond for our kids so please continue to share your gratitude when you feel warranted.

Safety procedures for Beef Week Friday:  We welcome families to take your child home with you earlier, if you wish. This usually happens around lunch time.  As a matter of Child Protection,  if leaving early, all families are to sign your child out at the 3 tables situated towards the front of the school near the Kindergarten eating area.  You will put in the time and your name beside the name of your child.  Because of this, and the desire to keep our children safe on such a fun and less structured day,  only the gate out the front of the school will be open all day.  If you require other access for an elderly person or disability, please ring the school and we will open and close a secure access point.

School Beef Week Theme:  

A tribute to those who helped our area during the devastation of the flooding

The students can choose from the following to dress up as:

•  The Tinnie Brigade
• The ADF
• The Rural Fire Service
• The Hay Truckers
• SES
• The Vets
• The Helicopter Pilots
• BlazeAid

The students dress up in this theme next Friday, 27 May and for the Saturday parade on the 28th.  We will have a big assembly at the Relihan Centre from 9.00am onwards on the 27 May. You are all welcome.

Student Free Day:  Reminder Student Free Day - Friday, 10 June.

Take care

John O’Brien

Assistant Principal's News - Mission

Sacrament of Confirmation

The students preparing for this sacrament are well into preparation.  Last week the students took home a special little booklet about Confirmation to read and discuss with family members.  This week they will bring home a special box they have decorated with the ‘Gifts of the Holy Spirit’. 

A reminder that the note sent home last week to be filled and returned to the school office was due this week. A number of students have been away due to illness so we ask that you please fill this out over the weekend and return it to school on Monday as there is quite a bit of paperwork required for Confirmation.

Important Dates for Confirmation students:                        

• Reflection Night : Wednesday, 1 June 6.00pm in the Church.
• Sacrament of Confirmation: Tuesday, 7 June - Students/Parents meet the Bishop at 5.30pm in the Church ... ceremony commences at 6.00pm.

Sacrament of First Eucharist

Our First Eucharist program will commence in Year 4 classes next week as we now prepare for this sacrament.  We will be learning about the parts of the Mass and the importance of coming together as a community to share Eucharist.

We will be attending Thursday morning Mass at 9.00am on the 2nd, 9th and 16th June with Fr Peter celebrating this Mass.  Family members and friends of the students making First Eucharist are most welcome to join us.                                                                                                     

Important Dates for First Eucharist students:                        

• Reflection Night:  Wednesday, 15 June 6.00pm in the church
• First Eucharist Mass:  Sunday, 19 June at 9.00am in the church

Year 6 Mini Vinnies

Last Friday it was wonderful to witness the number of our Year 6 students who were keen to join this group. Mini Vinnies introduces children to social justice issues, to the St Vincent de Paul Society and to living faith through action.  It provides an opportunity for students to pray for and assist in practical ways members of our community. We look forward to seeing the great ideas these highly motivated students organise in our school to raise awareness and financial support for those in need.

Year 6 Incitare

Last week, our Leaders of Faith participated in the Incitare (Inch-a-tar-ee) student retreat day at Tullera Hall last week.  They joined with a number of students from other schools to learn about the role of God in their life and how they can be courageous leaders. Congratulations to Mrs Sally Simpson who did a wonderful job running this day for the diocese. 

Year 6 Incitare

Last week, our Leaders of Faith participated in the Incitare (Inch-a-tar-ee) student retreat day at Tullera Hall last week.  They joined with a number of students from other schools to learn about the role of God in their life and how they can be courageous leaders. Congratulations to Mrs Sally Simpson who did a wonderful job running this day for the diocese. 

Berry St Toolkit Lessons

Week 4 - Defusion 

This lesson helps to create depth to students’ learning by exploring simple cognitive defusion techniques. 

Week 5 - Committed action (because it is worth it) 

The objective of this lesson is for students to understand that stepping outside their comfort zones - taking a risk, meeting someone new, asking for help, apologising for something they have done wrong - often corresponds with difficult thoughts and feelings. By accepting these thoughts and feelings as normal parts of life, students can move in the direction of their values despite any unhelpful thoughts or self-talk.

The Charlie Cox Beef Week Cup has sadly been cancelled for 2022.

Student of the Month Assembly will be held on Friday, 3 June at 2.00pm in the Relihan Centre.

ThreeSixteen Youth Group

Last Friday afternoon we had 41 students attend an after school Youth Group called ThreeSixteen which was run by Mahaila Day (teacher at the College), our Youth Ministry Officers Jacob and Hannah as well as some students from Year 11. The students participated in a number of fun games, had afternoon tea and finished with a small prayer and absolutely loved it. The next one will be on Friday, 3 June from 3.30pm-5.00pm. Please contact Mr Irvine if you would like your child to attend and they haven’t already registered.

Sam Irvine  Assistant Principal Mission

Karen McDonald  Leader of Catechesis

Assistant Principal's News Teaching & Learning

ICAS ASSESSMENTS- Parent Portal

We have had some parents inquiring on the possibility of holding ICAS testing at SMP and we would be happy to offer this to our families this year. 

ICAS Assessments are online assessments, designed to recognise and reward academic excellence. Students are assessed on their ability to apply classroom learning to new contexts, using higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills. These tests are suitable for students who have been identified as achieving at a high standard in these subjects.  Tests are available for students in Years 3-6 in the areas of English, Maths, Science, Spelling Bee and Writing. These are at the parents expense ($19.25 for each test)  however, SMP will offer a quiet, supervised session for students to complete these tests at school on the designated dates. 

To purchase and book these assessments for your child  head to https://www.icasassessments.com/shop-parents/  and click on “Buy ICAS Test with a School Code”.  Our Code is OAA625.  For more information on how ICAS tests are conducted please visit- https://www.icasassessments.com/

PAT Testing- How we use the data

At SMP, we believe strongly in  the concept that “Assessment today, drives  teaching tomorrow”. We do regular informal and formal assessment tasks to help us to understand exactly where our students are and what they need to move to the next level. 

Beginning in Year 2, all students at SMP do twice yearly standardised assessments using the PAT (Progressive Achievement Testing) platform for both Reading and Maths. These assessments give us instant results for every child and allows teachers to pinpoint exactly where each child is on their learning journey and what they need next.

Each PAT Assessment gives us results that compare our students against other students from all over Australia and gives us a clear picture of how our students are progressing. We also use the results from these assessments to identify students in need of intervention and to design targeted teaching and learning opportunities for all students. 

Premiers Reading Challenge

All students should have now brought home their Premiers Reading Challenge login details and have hopefully begun their reading journey.  If you haven't already started, please visit this webpage for instructions on how to log your books.

https://prcsupport.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/6000062941

Children who received an award from the Premier last year will continue to grow their rewards this year and those that are new to the challenge can begin their collection.

Happy Reading!

Felicity Wilde

AP Teaching & Learning

Birthdays

Happy birthday to Abigail Drummond Jenna McMillan Elizabeth Carey Isabel Henderson Lilly Hoare Oliver Christensen Jace Doughty Rowdy Townsend Levi Baran Layla Balderi Howard Armstrong Kaden Parker Bronte McIntyre Xander Opryszko Hugh Derrig Skarlett Green Elijah Benn Arlen Connolly Melita Johnston Xavier Bate Luca Cadman Kaden King Dante Leader Miami-Lee Simpson Bobbi Grissell and Callin Loy who have recently celebrated their birthday, and to Patrick Burgess-Connor and Azzy Williams who celebrate tomorrow. 

Thank You

Thank you to the mothers and grandmothers who helped with the Mother's Day Stall.  Amber Randall, Kristy Murphy, Karina Gollan, Wendy Horseman-Noijens, Cherisse Lynn, Tania Creighton, Anja Ciller, Megan Lohse, Jody Transton and Trish Taylor.  It was a great effort in assisting selection and wrapping over 800 gifts for the children.