This year you will see some changes in the way that teachers assess

reading.

We are now using an assessment system which enables us to have

greater focus upon the understanding a student has about what they

read (comprehension) and how fluently they are reading it.

READING IS NOT JUST SAYING THE WORDS ON THE PAGE

CORRECTLY – it is what we do in our minds to make deep meaning

from what we read.

Think about when you read a novel…

Do you picture (visualise) characters and settings?

Do you predict what is going to happen?

Do you make connections with your own life, other books,

movies or issues around the world?

Do you question?

Do you read everything at face value or infer meaning from the

way it is written?

These are some of the strategies we use as adult readers and these

are necessary for all children to develop over time.

The Fountas and Pinnell Benchmark Assessment Levels align

generally to year levels and will be used as a basis for how we report if

your child is at standard for their reading through our written reports.

What about the levels?

In class, students are taught at a higher level than the levels they bring home. (This is their instructional

level).

At home, students read books that they can read on their own. (These may be lower than class level). Home reading is a time for students to read books at a comfortable level so that they can practise the other skills of reading rather than focussing upon reading harder/ longer/ more complex words.

NEWSLETTER Principal: Ms Michele Duthy

Email: dl.0285.info@schools.sa.edu.au

Web: www.mtbarkerps.sa.edu.au

Phone: 08 8391 1241

Fax: 08 8391 4208

Number 2

Week 3, Term 1

2016

MOUNT BARKER PRIMARY SCHOOL

The wheel above outlines the different aspects of reading that we are assessing and teaching across our

classes.

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Friends of

Mount Barker Primary School, We look forward to working closely with our parent community to ensure that we provide the very best teaching and learning environment, educational programs and experiences for our students. I would like to acknowledge staff for the hard work they have undertaken during the last two weeks as well as during the holidays to ensure that their classes, teaching programs and the new school year has began smoothly. We also congratulate our wonderful students, especially our large number of new students for their positive attitude and the responsible manner with which they have begun in their classes. The school’s ‘Site Improvement Plan’ will continue to drive the school’s direction and effectively engage our students in all aspects of their learning. Our strong focus on raising literacy and numeracy standards will continue along with Digital Learning and Positive Education. We are implementing a new programme called Levelled Literacy Intervention to support students who would benefit from additional small group reading support. We are also implementing Quicksmart mathematics to help students below benchmark in mathematics to increase their recall and automaticity of number. We are looking forward to an exciting and productive year and we welcome parent questions in regard to any aspect of the school and/or our work in 2016.

IN AND AROUND THE SCHOOL

PUPIL FREE DAY –The first pupil free day for term 1 is planned for Friday 26th February (Week 4). All partnership schools are involved in this special teacher training day. The training focus is on Mathematics facilitated by Roslyn Shepherd. Teachers in rooms 19 & 20 will be furthering their training in”Structured Teaching.”

‘Striving for Success programme’ For the first four weeks back this year

students are engaging in the ‘Striving for Success program’. This program focuses upon building relationships and class cohesion as well as establishing routines, clarifying expectations and developing

learning goals and positive beginnings to the year.

Please see your child’s teacher or enquire at the front office if you are interested in discussing aspects of the program further.

2016 Staff Leadership Team Michele Duthy Principal

Cheryl Bedford Deputy Principal

Andrea Thomas Counsellor

Jo Simpson Co-ordinator Disability Unit

Scott Blakemore Digital Learning Co-ordinator

Teaching Staff: Class/room Year Level Karen Penn 1 6/7

Alice Howland 2 7

Marika Marlow 3 6

Lorraine Colvin 4 5/6

Susan Martin 5 4/5

Jennie Spick 6 Music/French

Ingrid Lippett 6 Science

Jim Kimber / Ceri Price 7 4/5

Evonne Farrokhy 8 4/5

Karen Waterman 9 2/3

Ashleigh Schapel 10 3/4

Ellen Steele 11 2

Vee Mignone 12 2

Anne Wall 14 Re

Lynne Tasker 15 Re

Petra Dunaiski 16 1

Annette Virgo 17 1

Hayley Roberts 18 2

Ben Tobin PE

Catherine Scarfo 20

Wendy Barnett 19/20

SSO/Special program support staff: Rani McDonald Finance Officer

Suzie Ham Admin Officer

Judy Smith ICT / Library

Joy Bourne Library

Betty Spiller Student Support - LLI

Suzanne Woithe Student Support - quicksmart

Sharon Harvey Student Support - Reception

Angela Strauss Student Support - Reading

Tracey Conlay Individual Student Support

Ashleigh Hamlton Student Support - Reading

Chloe Matthews Student Support - Reading

Kandace de Bruin Student Support – Room 19

Shana Wittmann Student Support – Room 19

Linda Marlow Student Support – Room 20

Rhianna Peate Student Support = Room 19

Tess Frick Student Support – Room 20

Cazz Smith Student Support – Room 19

Mark Bouts Grounds person

ACQUAINTANCE

EVENING For students and parents

Monday 22ndFEBRUARY, 2016 (week 4)

5:45pm

Welcome /Principal’s Address – basketball court

6:00pm- 7pm

Classes open for family visit.

7:00pm

Governing Council AGM –library – All welcome

Please see detailed program below.

GOVERNING COUNCIL The Governing Council is a very important decision making and management structure within our school. Council members discuss a wide range of school issues and are involved in decisions and actions that aim to support effective school organization and student learning. Please consider nominating for the 2016 Governing Council. If you are not interested in nominating please come along to the AGM anyway and enjoy the presentation of the 2015 Annual Report. The election of new members for the Governing Council will occur at the AGM. *** Please complete the tear off slip enclosed with this newsletter to nominate for Governing Council (if you haven’t done so already).

GOVERNING COUNCIL NOMINATION FORM

I ____________________________________ am interested in nominating for membership on the 2016 Governing Council. Signature: ____________________________________________________ Contact No: ___________________________________________________ Please return nomination forms to Michele Duthy via the the front office before the AGM on Monday 22nd February, 2016

ACQUAINTANCE EVENING/ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING We look forward to this term’s Acquaintance Evening, planned for Monday 22nd February, (week 4). Below is an outline of this year’s Acquaintance Evening structure/program. 5.45pm Principal’s Address I look forward to welcoming you to the new school year, introducing you to staff and speaking briefly about the school and our priorities and goals for the year.

Tim Milne (Chairperson of the Governing Council) will also address our parent body . We look forward to beginning the year as a united school community and hope that as many of our families as possible will join us on the night. 6.00pm – 7pm - class visits. Parents will have the opportunity to:

Meet and speak informally to the classroom teacher and other classroom parents. (This is not a Parent/Teacher Interview situation). Please negotiate a separate time if you would like to discuss your child’s progress/specific issues etc.

Collect information regarding classroom routines, student expectations, curriculum activities planned for the term/year etc.

Look around their child’s classroom and view/discuss work undertaken thus far, with their child. 7:00pm – 8:00pm - AGM (Library ) Light meal and drinks provided

___________________________________________________________________________________

PARENT VOLUNTEERS There is a difference between parents and parent volunteers. Parents attending an excursion, single events (sports day, swimming, concerts) to assist their own child do not need a clearance. Parent Volunteers are in a role which requires them to work with, supervise or assist children other than their own. Parent Volunteers do require a DCSI child –related clearance as well as training in ‘Responding to Abuse and Neglect’. Parents volunteering to attend an excursion for the purpose of assisting/supervising a group of children do need a clearance. Also, parents attending overnight camps or working with small groups of children on class activities such as reading book club, cooking, and art/craft need a clearance.

Further clarification can be found at http://www.decd.sa.gov.au/hrstaff/pages/employmentconditions/screeningtool/ DCSI child –related clearances and the certificates for Responding to Abuse and Neglect training expire after three years and we enter this information on our EDSAS data base system. If you are interested in becoming a parent volunteer please give your name to one of our front office staff or leadership team. The next Responding to Abuse and Neglect – for volunteers training session will be on Tuesday 22nd March from 6 – 7pm in the library with our counsellor Andrea Thomas. Our Library staff would welcome volunteers for

book covering, shelving etc.

___________________________________________________________________________________

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

Unfortunately due to lack of space we

are unable to accommodate

instrumental music lessons by private

providers i.e. keyboard and guitar, this

year.

SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUB

The current issue is Online Ordering

Only and closes on Friday 19th

February. Online orders are delivered

to the school.

SPORTS DAY Save the date!! THURSDAY 24th MARCH is Sports Day. More information will follow with the program details.

SCIENCE IN THE EARLY YEARS

The children in the Early Years classes have

been learning about Chemical Science. The

content includes :

Foundation: Objects are made of materials that

have observable properties (ACSSU003)

Year 1: Everyday materials can be physically

changed in a variety of ways (ACSSU018)

Year 2: Different materials can be combined,

including by mixing for a particular purpose

(ACSSU031)

So far we have :

- used our language skills to describe materials

around us while using magnifying glasses

- made feeling bags containing a variety of

materials

- discussed materials that can be recycled

- experimented with a variety of materials to see

what properties they have; can they bend, stretch

or be mixed with other materials ?

This week we have made structures that are

strong and will stand on their own and weak

structures that cannot stand for very long. There

was lots of discussion about the process children

used to build their houses and bridges and the

kinds of materials used in our homes. The

children enjoy talking with each other about their

learning and have been very responsive during

Science lessons.

In the coming weeks we will explore:

- Aboriginal housing structures - natural/processed materials

- mixing colours - properties of paper

- clothing - mixing solids/liquids

- properties of liquids - magnetic properties

- matter around us; solids, liquids, gas - floating

We have lots of fun!!

Ingrid Lippett

EXCELSIOR AWARDS - WELL DONE

SCHOOLS FEES (MATERIAL & SERVICES CHARGE)

Invoices have been sent home with students. Payment is due in term 1.For information on School Card and

Direct Debit options please contact the office. Please see Finance Officer to make arrangements for a

payment plan or if you have difficulty making payments.

SCHOOL NEWSLETTERS

A link for the school newsletter is sent via email. Do we have your current email address? If not please

complete the tear off slip and return to the office.

Student Name……………………………………………Parent name……………………………………

Email address ………………………………………………………………………………………………..

DATES TO REMEMBER Term

Week 3

Swimming program continues – group 2: 17-24/2

Week 4

Monday 22/2/16 Assembly in the Hall – 9am.

Swimming program continues – group 2: 17-24/2

Acquaintance Night/Open night – 5.45-7 pm

AGM of Governing Council – 7 pm

Friday 26/2/16 STUDENT FREE DAY

Week 5

Tuesday 1/3/16 School Photos

Thursday 3/3/16 Courier Cup – swimming carnival

Week 6

Monday 7/3/16 Assembly in the Hall – 9am

Week 7

Monday 14/3/16 PUBLIC HOLIDAY – ADELAIDE CUP

Week 8

Monday 21/3/16 Assembly in the Hall – 9am

Tuesday 22/3/16 Governing Council meet 7am in the Staffroom

Thursday 24/3/16 SPORTS DAY

Friday 25/3/16 PUBLIC HOLIDAY – GOOD FRIDAY

Week 9

Monday 28/3/16 PUBLIC HOLIDAY – EASTER MONDAY

Week 10

Monday 4/4/16 Assembly in the Hall – 9am

Wednesday 6/4/16 Year 6/7 Aquatics Camp to Friday

Week 11

SCHOOL CROSSING MONITORS Recently your child’s school took part in School Crossing Monitor Training conducted by the South Australian Police. This involves students in years 5, 6 and 7 being trained by Road Safety Educators from the SA Police Road Safety Section. After the training is complete the student will receive a Certificate of Authority issued on behalf of the Commissioner of Police which, under the Road Traffic Act 1961 authorises the student to work as school crossing monitor. The certificate authorises the student to stop traffic using a Stop Sign or using Pedestrian Actuated Traffic Lights, as well as give reasonable directions to pedestrians for the safe and efficient movement of traffic at or on the crossing as in their opinion is necessary. The training involves learning how to safely stop vehicles at a school crossing and performing safety assessments on when it is safe for children

to cross the road (this includes asking the monitors to check that all vehicles have stopped prior to pedestrians walking onto the crossing). The session also includes safe sign handling techniques and positioning within the crossing. It is extremely important that all people (including parents) use the crossings and become good road safety role models, by following the School Crossing Monitor’s directions, not only for their safety but the safety of all students and road users. If parents have any questions about the training the Road Safety Section is happy to receive these inquiries on the telephone number 82076586. Road safety is everyone’s responsibility. Thank you Acting Sergeant Nigel ALLEN Program Co-ordinator Road Safety South Australian Police

COMMUNITY NEWS

MARRYATVILLE HIGH SCHOOL – INFORMATION EVENING

Information about the Special Interest Music Centre. Monday 11th April 7-8.00pm – bookings 83048431.

ADELAIDE HIGH SCHOOL – OPEN NIGHT

AHS open night is on Wednesday 23rd March 5.30pm to 8pm. Special Language & Special Cricket or

Rowing Entry for 2017 close Wednesday 13th April. Ph 82319373.

FIRST TAE KWONDO – Ages 5years and up held at Mt Barker Primary School on Monday & Wednesday

at 6.30pm. Call John O’Brien on 0411831650.

PARENTING SA- free Parenting Seminars Tuesday/Wednesday 5th April & 6th April at the Adelaide

Convention Centre http://parentingsa.eventbrite.com.au or 83031660.

HAHNDORF SOCCER CLUB – Come & Try sessions and Pre-season training visit www.hahndorfsc.com

FUTSAL PROGRAM – FFSA is running trials for the Futsal Program for boys & girls 5-13 years on Friday

26th February from 4pm at Mt Barker High School. Contact Gary Ledson 0432608620 or email

Gary.ledson@me.com

ADELAIDE HILLS HOCKEY CLUB – all ages. Come’n’try and Registration day Sunday 28th February 4-

5pm at Cornerstone College. Call 0428849753.

INK POT ARTS – Working with Clay for 6-9 year olds at Mt Barker Town Hall. Bookings 0439580570

(Sabrina).

ADELAIDE HILLS SOCCER CLUB – Come and Try Starting Sunday February 14th at Woodside. Contact

Craig Leith cleith@westminster.sa.edu.au

ECHUNGA FOOTBALL CLUB – Junior Registration Night Friday 19th February from 6pm. Contact Vaughan

Brooks 0457537794 or Troy de Ron 0438151921.

KIDS TAEKWONDO – at Mt Barker Town Hall Monday & Wednesday 6.30pm. Phone 0412909500 or

www.worldtaekwondo.com.au

SPORTS ABILITY – Inclusive Activities Program. For ages 5-12 years old. Tuesday 4-5pm at Ingle Farm

Recreation Centre. www.ausport.gov.au phone 74221500.

ECHUNGA FOOTBAL CLUB – Football Skills Program for 7-17yr olds. Thursdays 3.45-5pm at local

schools. Ph Vaughan Brooks 0457537794 or Troy de Ron 0438151921.