Dear Parents and Friends,

Yesterday our Year 6 students were very fortunate to have Valentino Guseli visit their classroom and speak to them about his successes in the Winter Olympics.  He was both inspirational and a wonderful role model for our students. Valentino spoke to the students about always trying their best and never giving up on their dreams. Following the session, one of our Year 6 students, Arsh said ”he now knows that he should never give up on his dreams and continue practicing”. What an important message for our students who are about to take the next step in their education journey.  

NAPLAN INFORMATION
This year there have been some updates regarding NAPLAN results and how they will be communicated to parents and carers. With the transition of all students taking the NAPLAN tests online, the reports will be simpler and clearer, ensuring a better understanding of our students' performance in each domain.

NAPLAN questions assess content linked to the Australian Curriculum in English and Mathematics. NAPLAN tests are only one aspect of each school’s assessment and reporting process. As they are held once every 2 years for each student, they cannot replace the extensive, ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance. Your child’s teacher will have the best insight into your child’s educational progress. Along with other school assessment reports, NAPLAN individual student reports can be used to discuss your child’s progress with their teacher. 

From 2023, proficiency standards replace the previous numerical NAPLAN reporting bands and national minimum standards. Education ministers agreed 2023 was the right time to introduce this change alongside moving NAPLAN to March. Proficiency standards provide simple and clear information on student achievement. They are set at a challenging but reasonable level expected for the child at the time of NAPLAN testing, based mainly on what has been taught in previous years of schooling. 

The proficiency scale has 4 levels:

• Exceeding: The student’s result exceeds expectations at the time of testing.
• Strong: The student’s result demonstrates proficiency by meeting challenging but reasonable expectations at the time of testing
• Developing: The student’s result indicates that they are working towards expectations at the time of testing and are approaching proficiency.
• Needs additional support: The student’s result indicates that they are not achieving the learning outcomes expected at the time of testing. They are likely to need additional support to progress satisfactorily.

ACARA - Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority 

NAPLAN plays a crucial role in providing our school and parents with valuable information. It enables meaningful conversations between teachers and parents about the development of our children's foundational skills. We believe that these changes will continue to enhance our understanding and support for our students, allowing us to nurture their growth and success.

‘Tell Them From Me' Survey
The ‘Tell Them From Me' improvement survey for staff, students and parents has now been extended to 16 June. The surveys are an important part of our whole school evaluation and planning process. The survey is anonymous and will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. You are able to access the parent survey on your computer or mobile device by using the URL included here http://tellthemfromme.com/9v5w4 Your input is valued and appreciated. 

ACU students
We currently have a pre-service teacher Sarah Culeen from The Australian Catholic University, Canberra, in our school to complete her third year placement in 2J. Students in their third year are required to teach in a rural school over four weeks. We are confident that Sarah will enjoy her experience at our school and will learn so much working alongside her mentor teachers, Mrs Smith and Mrs Hicks.

Semester One Reports/Parent Teacher Interviews
Over the next two weeks, I will be reading every student’s Semester One report for 2023, providing me with a clear understanding of each individual student’s academic progress, efforts and social development. Reports will be sent home on Thursday 22 June. Meetings to discuss your child’s progress for all classes will be conducted in Week 10 on Monday 26 and Tuesday 27 June. I encourage all parents to book their preferred meeting times using the on-line booking system. Information regarding reports and interviews will be sent home tomorrow to parents. 

Overnight Camps
Next term, our Year 4 and Year 5 students have overnight excursions planned. Year 5 are heading to Birrigai from Wednesday 26 July – Friday 28 July (T3 Week 2) and Year 4 will be going to Canberra on Wednesday 20 September – Thursday 21 September (T3 Week 10). We will be completing a thorough risk assessment before we attend in partnership with Catholic Education. The opportunity to go away with peers and experience activities outside the classroom provides many valuable learning opportunities for students. Year 6 students will be going to the Cooba Sport and Education Centre at Berridale in Term 4 Week 4, Wednesday 1 November – Friday 3 November). 

Lunchtime clubs
This term we have different activities happening at lunchtime to cater for students’ interests. Our lunch time activities include:

• Monday – Board Games in the iCentre/ SRC Meet with Mrs McRae & Mrs Coggan
• Tuesday – Choir is led by Ms Nussdorfer & Mrs Smith
• Wednesday – Chess Club
• Thursday – Mini Vinnies with Mrs Beashel/ Coding Club in the iCentre with Mrs Holmes
• Friday – drawing and games in the iCentre

Lunchtime clubs are great a way to build student engagement, social skills and inclusion for all students. They are very popular and a great addition to St Bernard’s!

Uniform
All children should be wearing Winter uniform next Tuesday. Please refer to our website if you are uncertain of the requirements. Please ensure EVERY item of clothing is marked with your child's full name. We are receiving lots of jumpers at the office, and many are brand new with no name. 

Wishing all families an enjoyable long weekend.

Kind regards
Jo