Food for thought
Energy flows where attention goes. By James Redfield
Our energy is one of our most important assets and it goes without saying that we put our energy into what we focus on. Our challenge as significant people in our children’s lives, is ensuring by our actions and our modelling positively impact our children now and in the future. Children do not always do what they hear but they do behaviour from what they see around them.
Student Voice and Leadership
We have introduced an initiative to give the student leaders an opportunity to develop their skills. Every fortnight there will be a Faction Assembly of all students in Pre-Primary to Year 6. We are building a learning community and student voice. The importance of fostering a sense of belonging to something bigger than self. Children who feel like they belong thrive, feel safe and are confident.
The Student Leaders will be leading each assembly and there will be a focus on teaching the children values.
Last Friday morning was our first Faction Assembly, and the value they taught was ‘Respect and Consideration.’ It was a great success, and the leaders are keen to build on them. They have some great ideas. We are all very proud of them.
Thank you to Mr Clint Degebrodt and Ms Kylie Lund for making this happen.
Developing our School
We have an exciting term ahead of us. The focus will be clearly on supporting our community, students, teachers and to be able to be their best selves and enjoy their everyday experience at Kapinara PS. Below is an outline of the strategy.
Driving Beliefs
| Less is More | Focus on the essentials of Literacy and Numeracy, and a focus on Play/Inquiry Sciences and the appreciation of the Arts. |
| Importance of Positive Psychology | Social and emotional skills that focus growth mindset, resilience, and grit. |
| No Comparisons Between Classrooms | Focus on the process of education rather than the results, giving children a less pressured, enjoyable approach to learning. |
| Opportunities for Learning | Cultivate and support children of all levels within the same environment, providing different learning paths and fostering flexibility in their learning. |
| Measure what Matters | The importance of investment in teachers’ professional quality and further development. |
School Targets
- Positive Behaviour Approach Implementation.
- Implementing a scope and sequence in learning areas to support whole school planning.
- Professional learning for all staff on pedagogy and positive behaviour approach.
- Student behaviour targeting manners, values, and movement safety.
- Introducing Crunch and Sip for students
- Introduce Buddy Classes and Faction Assemblies.
Classroom Targets
Our centre of attention for this term are the following.
- ‘I Can’ Statements as Learning Intentions – All lessons are to have an ‘I can’ Statement.
- Connection – Positive connections with all students at the beginning of each day.
- Positive Framing language.
Note for understanding:
I Can Statements
All lessons are to have an ‘I can’ Statement. The human eye is designed to target things and then aims at the target. Visual statements stating what I can do as a result of learning or doing is powerful. Furthermore, if a student from Kindy to year 6, hears and sees the words ‘I can’, it becomes part of them.
Put simply ‘I Can’ statements are simple sentences designed by the teacher that break down lofty objectives into learning targets that students can read and understand.
‘I Can’ statements;
- create a visual focal point for students who may forget or daydream during the lesson.
- why it is important, how they will be expected to learn,
- what they need to do to demonstrate they have learned. They also convey the progression of learning by connecting lessons from yesterday, to today, and tomorrow.
‘I Can’ statements help students understand what the lesson is about. During practice, students can check and align their thinking by looking at the I Can for clarification.
I Can statements is positive framing, and sets students up for success.
School Site Safety
We are developing a risk management plan and processes to address the areas of concern that relate to safety. If you have observed areas of concern, would you please email them to me.
For your reference – The Department Policy is;
2.1.5 No Cover to Public – There is no personal accident cover for injury or material damage cover for loss or damage to personal property. There is general liability cover if the injury or loss or damage was caused by proven negligence of Department or an employee. However, if anyone does have an injury that is as a result of negligence, please contact the school and you will be provided with the means to proceed.
Regards
Simon Reid
Relieving Principal