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Week 4 Term 1
Thursday 25th February, 2021
Telephone: (08) 89552000 Text: 0418 191 388
Facebook: ross park primary school alice springs
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.schools.net.edu.au/rosspark
Ross Park Primary School
FROM OUR ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
As we reach the middle point of term, our teachers are beginning to activate a range of strategies to engage students in their learning. John Hattie and Klaus Zierer share their findings around teacher clarity in the book "10 Mindframes for Visible Learning, Teaching for Success (2017)". The impact of Teacher clarity has an effect size of 0.75. This is almost two years of expected growth in one year. They go on to note that "Teacher Clarity is the ability to name all of one's planning steps about goals, content, methods and media and using examples to explain them to students. Teachers who can do this will ultimately also be capable of assigning tasks in such a way that the learners perceive them as a challenge toward a learning goal."
This clarity is vital to explore as we begin a new year of learning, with students settling into their classes. Teachers are beginning to formulate their expectations and challenge learning in and out of the classroom (homework). This provides an excellent opportunity for families to ask children different questions about their day and learning. Rather than settling with typical responses from your child like "nothing" or "not much" seek in depth answers to your questions about what they have learnt or done at school. Below are a few questions to ask your child to eliciit more than a one-word response. The trick is to ask about things that are specific but still open-ended. Move beyond "fine" and "nothing" by asking your child to describe his world. It's also great to start the conversation with an
anecdote from your day. Try one of these conversation-starters:
1.Tell me about the best part of your day. How can you have more of those moments?
2.What was the hardest thing you had to do today? What helped you to have a go/finish?
3. When did you feel most proud of yourself today? Tell me more about that.
4.Tell me about what you read in class.
5.Who did you play with today? What did you play?
6.Do you think maths [or any subject] is too easy or too hard?
7.What's the biggest difference between this year and last year?
8.What rules are different at school than our rules at home? Why do you think they should/shouldn’t be?
9.Who did you sit with at lunch? Why?
10.Can you show me something you learned (or did) today?
Last week and earlier this week we had Paddy the Platypus presenting to our early
childhood class on flood safety. Our year 5/6 students learnt about flood preparation. This leads nicely into our Learn to Swim program for our Year 1/2 classes, which will begin in Week 7. It is an intensive two weeks, but essential in teaching our children skills in water safety and swimming.
The modified program of intensive daily lessons was due to the availability and high demand for pool access and other school commitments. A permission form will be sent out soon to allow your child to participate.
Have an excellent weekend enjoy the cooler weather. Please connect with your teachers as regularly as you need to. We appreciate feedback and love hearing about things that are working.
SHONTELL DOUGHERTY
New Music teacher Chris Phillips is getting to know our guitar students. 67 Year 4-
6 Ross Park students are enrolled with the NT Music School, which is the largest representation from any Alice Springs primary school!
Dates to Remember
• Whole School Assembly
tomorrow Friday 26th February @ 8.40am
• School Council Annual General
Meeting Monday 1st March @ 5.30pm in the Hall
• STUDENT FREE DAY
Tuesday 6th April (no students at school while staff undertake professional development)
WE LOVE CYCLING!
31 excited students started the AusCycling Ross Park Mountain
Bike Riding Program thanks to 10 supportive parents and 4 MTB
coaches. Great start riders!
WEEK 4 TERM 1 PAGE 2
The Annual General meeting of your School Council is scheduled for Monday 1st March. When families, school and the community work together, our children enjoy school and learning.
Why join the School Council?
The importance of parents is recognized in the governance of schools. Parents are enabled to input long-term strategic vision and establish and maintain genuine engagement and meaningful partnerships, providing valuable skills and knowledge.
Council currently has vacancies. Nomination forms are available from the school office or phone 89552000.
WARM AND COOL COLOURS
“In Art, we explored the difference between warm and cool colours. Warm colours are the reds, yellows and oranges. The cool colours are the blues, greens and purples. Our pictures were a mixture of warm and cool colours and how they contrast against each other.”
By Patrycja 3/4 Great White Sharks
Community Notices
Sacred Heart Parish invites families considering Confession, Communion and Confirmation to register by contacting [email protected].
Unbroken Land is a production from Incite Arts at Araluen Theatre Friday 12th March. - new creations from local performers, poets and dancers. The program has an emphasis on accessibility, and includes closed-captions as well as audio-descriptions. It is a free event, and suitable for all ages. Phone 89511122 to book.
Mini Matildas for girls aged 4-11 years starts 4th March @ 4.30pm @ Ross Park Oval. To register: http://bit.ly?MiniMatildasAS.
SPONSORSHIP
Our weekly online newsletter is circulated widely. Our student population numbers over 500 so that’s a lot of families and a big chunk of Alice Springs! If families or businesses would like to sponsor the newsletter, please let us know.
YOUNG ARTISTS!
1/2 Snakes have been reading
books by Eric Carle this week. They studied how Eric Carle made the artworks in the books and re-created their own animals! The Visual Art elements of texture and shape were used to create these gorgeous pieces.
Core, Core, Core. Any coach or educator involved with physical activity is constantly reiterating (harping) around the importance of a strong core. There are many fun ways to build core muscles in our young people and selves! A favourite of mine is taking huge leaps whilst hopping on one foot. This causes my body to be unstable and my core has to engage quickly to keep me upright and balanced. Yoga balls are terrific for balancing on - lay across them with your hands and legs like a star and see how long you can maintain it for before touching the ground! Core strength should be a priority for everyone, but there is no need to make it boring!
KATIE THOMPSON Coordinator
PLEASE NOTE: the email address for our school is now [email protected]. Phone numbers and website are unchanged.
ELECTIONS
Elections for Team Leaders took place today, to choose two captains and two vice captains for each House. Year 6 students self-nominated and they are expected to be excellent role models who have a positive attitude to learning and school life. Their attendance rate should be very high, wearing their uniform with pride, modelling appropriate behaviours and supporting others to show the school values in all aspects of schooling.
Roles of Leaders:
Uphold the values of Ross Park and to be role models to other students.
Host whole school assemblies Organise and facilitate lunchtime
activities Represent the school at special
events Take responsibility for
organisation of houses at Athletics and Swimming Carnival showing leadership in managing groups of students
Host and organise special sporting events e.g. teacher vs student sports
Assist with programs in Junior school e.g. running fitness activities, Jnr Wet n Wild day etc.
Successful candidates will be announced next week, with badges presented at assembly in Week 6.
BUDDY CLASS VISIT
“3/4 Llamas visited 1/2 Sea Critters for their first buddy class of the year. Harry and Monty partnered up with two younger students. The activity that they did was Uno and the group of four all learnt about numbers and patterns from playing the game. Some of the activities that were happening were Beat the Frog, Snap and Hundreds Charts.”
By Harry 3/4 Llamas
SYMMETRY
“For our work on
Symmetry I created
a character that
could be in the
game Minecraft.
Something that is
symmetr ica l is
something that is
the same on both sides. For this activity
we had to plan and implement our
design using pencil and paint.”
By Frankie 3/4 Emus
