Principal's Pen
Dear Parent and Caregivers,
ANZAC DAY
On Friday we held our traditional ANZAC Ceremony at the front of the school in the memorial gardens. It was a beautiful ceremony in a beautiful location and our students were so respectful of the occasion, which I was immensely proud of.
Much thanks must go to the amazing work to co-ordinate the service by Mrs Jody Kellen and Mr Darren Roxburgh, but also to the teachers and other staff who ensured our students were well prepared for the event and that their class had a beautiful wreath to lay. Our school leaders also did a fantastic job leading the service and with the flags. Much thanks to our grounds staff, Mr Adam Sheppard and Mr Tane Goffe and the cleaners who ensured the area was in tip top condition for the day. Thank you also to those members of the community who attended and to those parents who helped to create the class wreaths. A special thanks to our guest speaker, Warrant Officer Class One, Graham Forbes, whose speech helped the students make the event relevant and to understand the connections to their lives.
A small contingent of staff and students braved the early morning on Sunday to represent our school proudly at the Gaythorne RSL March and our school captains again did us proud as they lay a wreath on our behalf.
It is special events like this where our school come together to support each other that we see our true strength surface. Well done everyone!
Yr 3 and 5 NAPLAN TESTING
As I have already communicated, the NAPLAN testing for us will be online this year. We have scheduled the tests within the national testing window and will conduct the tests as per the table below:
|
Tuesday 11/5 |
Wednesday 12/5 |
Thursday 13/5 |
Friday 14/5 |
|
Yr 3 Writing (Paper) |
Yr 3 Reading |
Yr 3 Language Conventions |
Yr 3 Numeracy |
|
Yr 5 Writing Online |
Yr 5 Reading |
Yr 5 Language Conventions |
Yr 5 Numeracy |
Last week our students participated in the practice test online to familiarise them with the online testing portal and procedures and for us to check our connectivity. Between now and the tests we will continue our regular teaching programs around the Australian Curriculum which is the best preparation but we will also give our students as many opportunities to continue to experience the types of questions they will face. This can be done at school through the training environment but also at home using the public demonstration site at the link below:-
https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site
I would encourage students to go on and use the site as much as possible using a laptop/desktop and mouse, as this is what they will be using for the tests. Using the mouse to practise the select and click and drag and other skills will assist them immensely between now and the test. Also keyboarding skills and being familiar with where the keys are on the keyboard will save time.
Below are links to the parent information around the NAPLAN testing including the privacy information. Please ensure you read this if your child is sitting the NAPLAN testing.
https://nap.edu.au/docs/default-source/resources/naplan-privacy-notice.pdf
NAPLAN PARTICIPATION
All students in Years 3 and 5 are expected to participate in NAPLAN tests, as the tests give you information on how your child is progressing against national standards. This information can be used to identify areas in which your child may benefit from additional assistance or extension. NAPLAN does not replace, but rather complements assessments run by your child's classroom teacher throughout the year.
Adjustments can be provided for students with disability to enable them to access the tests on an equivalent basis to students without disability. Adjustments should reflect similar support and assistance provided in the classroom for assessment activities. However, not all adjustments provided in a classroom setting are applicable for NAPLAN due to the nature and mode of testing.
Some students who have been attending school in Australia for less than a year before the tests may also be eligible for exemption. Exemptions should be discussed with the Principal.
Parents or carers may withdraw their child from the tests to address issues such as religious beliefs and philosophical objections to testing. It is recommended that withdrawal be considered in consultation with the school. Wherever possible, schools will organise for individual students who are absent at the time of testing to complete missed tests at another time during the test window.
Detailed information about exemptions, withdrawals and absences from NAPLAN can be found in the https://nap.edu.au/naplan/school-support/student-participation
A reminder that we are now finalising those students who are eligible for special considerations such as extra breaks and extra time and staff will be contacting parents and sending home forms to be signed. If you do not want your child to participate in the NAPLAN testing a withdrawal must be organised with myself.
UNIFORM
At Enoggera State School we have a very clear dress code which abides by the Education General Provisions Act (2006) and is approved by the P & C. It is expected that students wear their full uniform to school every day including the school shirt, shorts/skorts, black shoes, white socks and school hat. In cooler weather students need to have blue jumpers/track pants or a school jacket only. At present we are seeing a lot of students wearing multi coloured jumpers, non-school hats and coloured shoes and socks to school. We would appreciate your support in ensuring that your children come to school in correct uniform every day so that consequences do not need to be applied as per the approved dress code attached.
The school uniform contributes greatly to the tone of the school, encourages students to take pride in the school and their appearance, and it ensures identification outside the school confines. Thus, to ensure student safety and to promote a high standard of dress at Enoggera State School, the School dress code applies to all students.
If you are struggling to provide the correct uniform please contact the school as we may have some links to charities/organisations that could help.
District Cross Country Event
We have a solid team attending the District Cross Country event on Friday to represent our school as they try out for selection in the District team. I am sure they will represent us proudly displaying perfect uniform, behaviour and sportsmanship. Thank you to Mrs Jardine for coordinating the trials and selections last week after the actual school cross country was once again cancelled before the holidays. All the best to those competing on Friday!
Till next time,
Mrs Anne Robinson
Principal