Our Year 6 students returned safely from their Canberra trip last week and I want to thank all the students for the way they conducted themselves throughout their time away. They had a packed itinerary visiting many of the sites and places of interest Canberra has to offer and I know there were many tired young people who returned on Thursday evening! Our sincere thanks goes to Paula Burns and Linda Wooley for coordinating and leading this significant learning experience for our Year 6 students.
Paula Burns has commenced a period of study and long service leave and we wish her all the best during her time away. We welcome Beth Kieboom, a regular relief teacher at TWCS who is teaching 5/6P during this time.
Tonight our Year 5 and 6 choir students perform at the Festival Theatre. I wish Leah, Lily G, Lily M, Eliza, Matthew, Jesse, Olivia, Abigail, Amiel and Gemma, all the best for their performance and look forward to seeing and hearing them perform.
We recently received our 2019 NAPLAN results. Parents of students in Years 3 and 5 who completed NAPLAN this year, would have received a student report earlier this week detailing the results for their child.
Our NAPLAN results this year were very pleasing as evident in the tables below:
| Component | Mean Score | Mean Scores as Proficiency Band | % of Students who achieved the NMS | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | |
| Reading | 440.2 | 410.9 | 421 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 100 | 100 | 96 |
| Writing | 428.2 | 403.8 | 406.6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Spelling | 429.6 | 418.6 | 433.5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Grammar & Punctuation | 436.4 | 395.7 | 416 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 93 | 92 | 100 |
| Numeracy | 404.5 | 372.4 | 391.1 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 100 | 92 | 96 |
| Component | Mean Score | Mean Scores as Proficiency Band | % of Students who achieved the NMS | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | |
| Reading | 503.20 | 503.1 | 532.5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Writing | 484.3 | 474.5 | 500.5 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 100 | 93 | 100 |
| Spelling | 482.20 | 510.9 | 513.4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 93 | 100 | 100 |
| Grammar & Punctuation | 473.4 | 494.8 | 506.7 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 86 | 80 | 100 |
| Numeracy | 495.1 | 509 | 516.9 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
In the “Estimated Standardised Student Progress Table” below, it is pleasing to note the high levels of growth between 2017 and 2019 in Year 5 Numeracy and Reading. 92% of students have achieved either ‘Medium’ or ‘Upper’ levels of progress in Numeracy and 84% of students have achieved either ‘Medium’ or ‘Upper’ levels of progress in Reading.
| Progress | Reading | Numeracy | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| School | All Students | School | All Students | |
| Low | 15% | 25% | 8% | 25% |
| Medium | 46% | 50% | 23% | 50% |
| Upper | 38% | 25% | 69% | 25% |
| Low | Student progress between tests is low when compared with students of similiar ability. |
|---|---|
| Medium | Student progress between tests is average when compared with students of similiar ability. |
| Upper | Student progress between tests is high when compared with students of similiar ability. |
| Aggregate values are not reported for schools with less than 5 students contributing to the aggregrate of interest. | |
As a school we use the data obtained through NAPLAN to design personal learning plans where necessary for students, and most importantly, we use this data to inform us of future strategic intentions for numeracy and literacy.
It is important to note that when interpreting the data for our school, as a result of having such a small cohort of students, one or two students not meeting bench marks (State or Nationally) disproportionately skews our results. For example, in the Year 3 table for Reading and Numeracy, 96% of students meeting the standard equates to one student in this year level not meeting the standard required for each of these aspects. Thus, as a school we would target the individual student around these concepts rather than initiate a strategic intention around Reading and Numeracy.
Last year, Grammar and Punctuation emerged as our most obvious area for growth and it is encouraging to see that 100% of students in Year 3 and Year 5 achieved the National Minimum Standard this year.
Our PAT diagnostic testing is scheduled to take place at the beginning of Term 4. Students in Year 2 to 6 will participate in Mathematics and Reading testing and students in Year 3 to 6 will also participate in Grammar and Punctuation testing. This school based assessment process provides teachers with information about individual student progress over a 12 month period.
It was great to see our budding gardeners in Reception G, Reception N, 2/3T and 5/6P spend time planting new seedlings in our 'Kids in the Kitchen' garden beds this week. The classes will look after these plants and watch them grow throughout next term ready to harvest before the end of the year.
Following the success of our Early Years Learning Morning for 3 and 4 year olds and their parents held earlier in the term, we will be hosting a second Early Years Learning Morning on Tuesday 22nd October. These events are a great opportunity for prospective families to visit and experience the wonderful learning environment we have on offer. Bookings can be made via our website at Early Years Learning Morning link.
Today and tomorrow we have the School Dental Service van on site. Those students whose parents provided consent to participate in the dental service are visiting the service for a dental check-up over these two days.
Finally, I share the exciting news that Thien Do and his fiancé Jasmine are getting married this weekend and we wish them every blessing for their wedding day.
Upcoming events…
Last Day of Term 3 - Friday 27th September
Pupil Free Day - Monday 14th October
Term 4 Commences - Tuesday 15th October
Early Years Learning Morning - Tuesday 22nd October
Reception & Year 1 Sleep over - Friday 1st November
Year 4 & 5 Camp - Wednesday 6th - Friday 8th November
Sports Day - Friday 15th November
P&F End of Year Celebration - Friday 6th December
As always I ask that you keep an eye on the school calendar for all upcoming events.
Wishing all our families a happy and safe holiday break and we look forward to seeing the students return on Tuesday 15th October for the start of Term 4.
With kind regards,
John Low
Principal
