今日吃瓜

Newman Parents – NPCC Meeting

Ms Lara Ognenis, our Gifted and Talented Teacher K-10, delivered a thorough presentation on Monday night to our Newman Parents Consultative Committee. She covered how we identify and extend students with gifted traits from PP to Year 9. Lara outlined the future vision for the space and the types of activities and competitions students are currently involved in. Thank you to those parents who were able to attend.

Problem Solve It Parent Information Evening

Our Leader of Learning in Science, Ms Krystal Skelin, launched our new Problem Solve It Immersion on Tuesday night. The program has been recognised as a National Excellence Awardee, and Krystal and John Finneran will travel to Sydney to participate in this prestigious award ceremony. The student immersion lasts for three nights and four days during the Term 2 holidays and sees Year 9 and 10 students immerse themselves in thinking routines that can be employed to creatively solve real life problems. Newman has partnered with UWA, Republic Polytechnic Singapore and an Innovation Coach from RACWA for the experience. Places are limited. For more information, please email krystal.skelin@newman.wa.edu.au

NAPLAN

In 2020, one of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic was the abandonment of the annual National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. This important assessment of Australian students’ learning progress resumed听on Tuesday.

The 2021 NAPLAN tests will provide useful external learning progress data for parents,听teachers,听and students to reflect upon in a manner that is proportionate with all other rich formative, summative and professional observational assessments that occur in our schools each day.

Artist in Residence

The College is pleased to welcome acclaimed Western Australian textile designer Tanya Cain-Abbs as part of the 2021 Artist in Residence Program.听听Tanya will work with select groups of students in Years 2鈥�12 to learn the technique Shibori, a Japanese manual resist dyeing technique which produces patterns on fabric.听听The art works will be exhibited at the Students Art exhibition opening Tuesday 26 October.

Community workshops will be held in term three inviting families and friends to share in the听Shibori听workshop experience. More information regarding community workshops will be posted on the College website, social media pages and in the College newsletter.

Extended Absences听鈥� change of procedure

In the event of planned extended absences, such as holidays and sporting representations, parents/guardians are requested to inform the Vice Principal, in writing with the reason for the absence, giving as much notice as possible. This is a new procedure that will streamline our PK 鈥�12 absentees. Please send notifications to lucie.mccrory@newman.wa.edu.au

Social Media

The College celebrates student achievements and other important events through our Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn pages online. Please join our networks and stay abreast of life at Newman:

Study Techniques

It is mid Term 2 and an apt time to review our study techniques and routines. Regularly reviewing and revising what we have learnt is an important part in the process of knowledge consolidation.

Questions to consider:

1. Have you got a study routine in place that includes breaks and down time?
2. Have you asked someone to keep you accountable to your study routine?
3. Are you studying effectively?
4. Is your learning space conducive to study?
5. What does the research say about studying? Read the below except from the article written in Edutopia 鈥�5 Research Backed Studying Techniques鈥�

5 HIGH-INTENSITY STUDY HABITS

Researchers have found that the following techniques increase sustainable learning and retention when incorporated in students鈥� daily study habits. These techniques are difficult and require effort, and they slow down learning. Initially the learning gains seem to be smaller than with some ineffective practices. However, these techniques lead to long-term mastery.

The book Make It Stick identifies several research-proven studying techniques.

1. Pre-test: When students practice answering questions, even incorrectly, before learning the content, their future learning is enhanced. Research has shown that pre-testing improves post-test results more than spending the same amount of time studying.
2. Spaced practice: Spacing out study sessions鈥攆ocusing on a topic for a short period on different days鈥攈as been shown to improve retention and recall more than massed practice. The book How We Learn explains that spaced practice can feel difficult due to an initial forgetting of knowledge鈥攔eacquiring that knowledge takes effort.
3. Creating flash cards that can be used for spaced practice and self-quizzing is effective. Students should create different piles when reviewing the flash cards. The cards they鈥檙e able to answer immediately should be placed in a pile to review three days later; those answered with some difficulty should be reviewed two days later; and those that they answered incorrectly should be reviewed the next day.
4. Self-quizzing: Testing has a negative connotation in this era of standardized testing, but it is a form of active retrieval practice. Encourage students to make test questions for themselves as they learn a new concept, thinking about the types of questions you might ask on a quiz or test. They should incorporate these quizzes into their study sessions, answering every question, even those they believe they know well.
5. Interleaving practice: Students may rely on blocked practice, studying a set of problems鈥攕uch as multiplication problems鈥攁s a group until they feel mastery. A more effective method of studying is to work on a set of problems that are related but not all of the same kind鈥攆or example, a set of math word problems that call for addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division. The consecutive problems cannot be solved with the same strategy. This is more effective than doing one multiplication problem after another.
6. Paraphrasing and reflecting: Many of us have read a few paragraphs in a textbook only to realize that we didn鈥檛 retain a single concept or key point presented in those paragraphs. To show your students how to combat this, have them utilize intentional learning strategies. These include relating what is being learned to prior knowledge, thinking about how they would explain the content to a 5-year-old, and reflecting on and asking questions about the content.

Code of Conduct

The Keeping Safe Child Protection curriculum is a program that spans from 3 years up to Year 12.听 Our College delivers this curriculum during classroom teaching, and through the Wellbeing Programs and Health curriculum.

As a Catholic community we are committed to educating the whole person.听In order to听do this, we need to ensure a safe, supportive and engaging environment. The basis for this environment is that all in the community model what healthy, respectful relationships look like. The Code of Conduct is the definitive guide to the behaviours we want to model to, and expect from, our children and young people. We want to create a culture that assists our children and young people on their learning journey. We can only achieve such a culture in partnership with all who participate in our community.听The Keeping Safe Child Protection curriculum is a program that spans from 3 years up to Year 12.听 Our College delivers this curriculum during classroom teaching, and through the Wellbeing Programs and Health curriculum.

A reminder to all families that the Code of Conduct can be accessed via the College website. The Code is mandated by Catholic Education Western Australia and the application of the code extends to all staff, students, parents, guardians, caregivers and volunteers.

Any perceived breaches of the Code can be discussed with a member of the Senior Leadership Team. As always, if students ever need support, they are encouraged to contact their Leader of Wellbeing, a College psychologist, Counsellor or classroom teacher.

The Code seeks to value the dignity of every person, foster positive relationships, ensure听confidentiality and accountability and supports professional boundaries. Events held during school hours, and听those听College associated听events outside of school hours are also supported by the Code of Conduct. Additionally, postings on social media platforms that identify the College or College events are bound by the Code of Conduct.听We thank you in advance for your understanding and look forward to a positive partnership that supports our students, your children.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Welcome to Term 2.

We were delighted to have been able to resume our teaching and learning program on Monday following the lockdown of the Perth and Peel Regions and we look forward to the further relaxation of restrictions this weekend. I take this opportunity to thank all students for their respect of and adherence to restrictions this week. They have been very accepting of switching to online events in some instances.

Thank you also to families for supporting the College in the implementation of restrictions and having your children well prepared. It was unfortunate that some events had to be cancelled (hopefully postponed) and others switched to online formats. We are most fortunate to have the technical expertise at 今日吃瓜 enabling us to pivot to online events at such short notice. Please click here to view the Newman Covid page

ANZAC Events

One of the highlights of our first two weeks back at school was the observance and acknowledgement of Anzac Day. I attended all three ceremonies across the College, all of which marked the significant sacrifice that others have given, and continue to give, so that we may live out our lives in freedom and opportunity. All students showed a high level of respect and attention for such a solemn occasion.

At the Principal鈥檚 assembly on Wednesday, we had the pleasure of hearing from Mr Robert Wilton, retired serviceman for both the British & Australian Military Forces. He spoke about the impact of his service on his life and, in particular, his 鈥榙aily renewable contract鈥�.

Following Robert, during the Principal鈥檚 Address, I reiterated how our ceremony encapsulated his message. We have so much to be grateful and thankful for and it is this grace that it is incumbent on us to make the most of what we have. The term ahead is full of opportunity. Learning is such a gift – how we use it determines our success.

I put to the students 鈥� 鈥淲ho do you want be?鈥�

At 今日吃瓜 we have a vision that frames the canvas of what is possible: Shine Through Discovery 鈥� Let Your Light Shine. What is your light? How will it shine?

Take every opportunity this term to be the best person God intends you to be in whatever pursuit you endeavour. Let us be mindful of those around the world who are suffering at this moment. Let us keep them in our prayers. (Please click here to read the Principal鈥檚 Address in full.)

Further information about our three Anzac Day ceremonies (Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary) can be found in other parts of this Newsletter

Year 6 Camp

We were fortunate to have been able to go ahead with the Year 6 Camp this week, albeit with relevant restrictions put in place by Forest Edge Recreation Camp. I visited the Camp last evening and the enjoyment and high spirits of the students was evident. I thank the Year 6 teachers for ensuring this very important event continued, even with the COVID restrictions in place.

Newman Parents Consultative Committee (NPCC)

We warmly welcome all families to attend our first NPCC meeting of the year on Monday 10 May.

Featured on the meeting agenda will be an overview of our Annual School Improvement Plan for 2021 with a presentation from our Gifted and Talented Teacher K-10, Ms Lara Ognenis.

Lara will speak about our Strategic Intent for this year 鈥�To develop extension learning pathways that enhance the opportunities for gifted and talented students.鈥� The strategies we have put in place to enable the College to achieve this intent are:

• Implementation of a K-10 GATE program utilsing contemporary, evidence-based practices
• Upskill teaching staff on strategies to extend gifted and talented students within mainstream classrooms.
• Explore external and internal opportunities (competitions, programs, electives) that enable Newman students to be challenged academically at a state and national level.

I look forward to seeing you there.

We look forward to the term ahead.

John Finneran
PRINCIPAL