As we come to the end of term, I would like to wish the students a relaxing break and a time to refresh and energise ready for Term 3.  For parents, I hope you also have a break, or at least a change from usual routines. For our teachers the mid term break is when they plan teaching and learning for the term ahead and I hope they also have time to spend with their family and friends.  Students return to school for Term 3 on Tuesday 18 July.

Next term, there are two changes to procedures (compliance focussed) that come into effect.  The first is regarding student attendance and the second is around permissions for excursions / events. 

Attendance

In line with Sydney Catholic schools policy and procedures for Attendance, we now require an extended leave application for any leave of 5 days or more.  Parents or carers may approach the school to seek permission for extended leave for their child to travel during school term. Extended leave is considered to be 5 or more days during the school term for the purpose of a family holiday, family business, bereavement or other reasons.  Parents or carers must complete and submit the Application for Extended Leave prior to commencing leave.  If the leave is approved by Miss Meehan, you should take the approval with you when travelling.  You can find the application on the quick links section of the newsletter.

Permissions

All notes for excursions and sporting events are entered into Compass as an event.  Compass event notifications are emailed automatically to parents when the event is published. Events are set up this way as it connects to the roll to ensure student attendance is marked correctly. Please  regularly check Compass for events and complete permissions. 

As an added reminder, the event organiser usually sends a Compass email to any parent who has not given permission on the day before the event, however granting permission is a parent responsibility.  From Term 3, any students without parent permission via Compass will not be able to attend an event and will need to stay at school with another class.  If at any time you have difficulties with Compass, please email the office and Mrs Imlach can assist you. 

Staff Development Days

Students will finish this term on Thursday 29 June as our staff will have a Staff Development Day on Friday 30 June. We also have a Staff Development Day on Monday 17 July.  SCECS will be open for these days.  

Book Week

Mrs Jago has organised some wonderful activities and events to celebrate book week which starts in week 6 of Term 3.  We will have a ‘Book Fair’ from 21- 25 August, a Book Week Parade on Friday 25th August, competitions and then a Book Week Performance incursion on Tuesday 5th September.  Mrs Jago will put together some ideas for the book week parade and provide more details of the events next term.

Student Academic Reports

Your child’s report on their academic achievement for Semester 1 (Terms 1 & 2) will be available on Compass on Friday 23 June.  We advise that you print a copy for your records, particularly if your child is in Year 6, as you lose access to Compass if not continuing to a Sydney Catholic School High School. 

When you read your child’s report, please be mindful that the report is based on the learning for the year so far - a snapshot in time.  Teachers select an achievement grade based on a variety of learning and assessment tasks over the semester.  This might include samples of work, formal and informal testing and anecdotal records of achievements.  It is best to focus on how your child is achieving at this point in time rather than comparing to previous years as students may have changed stages or are at a different point of learning within the stage. When looking at grades please carefully consider the achievement level descriptors associated with the report. 

Kindergarten have a three point grade scale; Basic, Sound and Thorough and Years 1 - 6 are graded as below.

• Extensive - The student has an extensive knowledge and understanding of the content and can readily apply this knowledge. In addition, the student has achieved a very high level of competence in the processes and skills and can apply these skills to new situations.
• Thorough - The student has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the content and a high level of competence in the processes and skills.  In addition, the student is able to apply this knowledge and these skills to most situations.
• Sound - The student has a sound knowledge and understanding of the main areas of content and has achieved an adequate level of competence in the processes and skills.
• Basic - The student has a basic knowledge and understanding of the content and has achieved a limited level of competence in the processes and skills.
• Elementary - The student has an elementary knowledge and understanding in a few areas of the content and has achieved very limited competence in some of the processes and skills.

Parent Teacher Conferences

Our Parent Teacher Conferences will be held early in Term 3 to give you the opportunity to discuss the report and your child's learning goals for Semester 2. 

NAPLAN

NAPLAN results are expected to schools on Thursday 22 June.  We will receive a school and student summary report and a proficiency standards report.  The individual reports for parents are expected early in Term 3 and we will send them home as soon as received. 

From 2023, NAPLAN results are reported using proficiency standards, which replace the previous reporting of student results that used numerical bands and national minimum standards.

Students’ results are measured against 4 levels of proficiency:

• Exceeding
• Strong
• Developing
• Needs additional support.

Further  information on the introduction of proficiency standards for parents and carers from NSW education Standards Authority (NESA) is being sent to us before the end of Term 2, and we will share this when received.  

Teacher Professional Learning

Each week, our teachers participate in Professional learning based around the Australian Professional Standards for teachers.  This term we have had learning including Religious Education, Diverse Learning needs, writing, Science, Mathematics and teacher voice care.  Some of the students walking past the classrooms afterschool are very interested in seeing what teachers are doing.

Wishing you God’s Blessings,

Jane Taylor

Assistant Principal