Welcome back to Term 1. I am delighted to back in my role as Assistant Principal and look forward to working with you all throughout the year.

NAPLAN

Every year the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) assesses the literacy and numeracy skills of students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9.

NAPLAN tests complement the wide range of formal and informal assessments already conducted in schools. The NAPLAN test window starts on Wednesday 15 March.

The NAP locked browser is used by the students to access the NAPLAN tests. Any previous versions of the NAP locked down browser must be removed prior to installing the latest version. This can be downloaded from the online assessment platform www.assessform.edu.au

Please refer to the attached document for further parent information.

ENGLISH AND MATHEMATICS SYLLABUS

Over the past three years the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) has engaged in the review of the NSW curriculum. During 2022 our Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 teachers trialled certain aspects of the reformed English and Mathematics syllabus. This year all K-2 teachers will fully implement the reformed English and Mathematics syllabus.

Our Year 3-6 teachers will begin trialling aspects of the Stage 2 and Stage 3 English and Mathematics syllabus ready for full implementation in 2024.

The new curriculum will give students more time to focus on key learning areas so that they can acquire a deeper understanding of central concepts. It will ensure students develop strong foundations for learning, life and work in a complex and fast-changing world.

What are details on English K–2?

• The English syllabus shows essential learning as outlined in the research for building foundations in reading and writing.
• The syllabus recognises that for most students, oral language comes before written language. Oral language outcomes and content are inclusive of students whose primary communication is not through speaking and listening.
• Each research-based key to reading has an explicit outcome, including phonics. The teaching advice suggests that teachers should typically provide daily opportunities for students to practise reading, starting with the use of decodable texts.
• Focus on reading ‘fluency’ as a key component of building strong foundations.
• More emphasis on writing and ensuring that students have a clear understanding of how to create a sentence.
• ‘Literature’ is highlighted as essential in the development of core knowledge for subject English. Listening to and using literature can foster an understanding, appreciation and love of reading.
• Content is structured to highlight the parallel connections across oral language, reading and writing.  

What are the details on Mathematics K–2?

• The new Mathematics syllabus clearly shows essential learning and supports students to make connections across concepts as outlined in the research for building foundations in Mathematics.
• There is a focus on developing reasoning skills to support a deeper understanding.
• Content is structured to highlight the parallel connections across Number and Algebra, Measurement and Space, and Statistics and Probability, underpinned by the latest research.
• Teaching advice for Mathematics includes examples to support the development of language and vocabulary. This will be particularly helpful for early-career teachers. Vocabulary knowledge influences the development of reading, writing, oral language and Mathematics skills.
• The new syllabus affirms the strong evidence base of outcomes and content, with an increased emphasis on place value.

SWIMMING SELECTION TRIALS

On Monday 13 February 2023 we will be holding our Swimming Selection Trials for those students wishing to compete to be selected in the St Brigid’s Swimming Team to represent our school at the Diocesan Swimming Carnival.

The Swimming Selection Trials will be held at University of Wollongong Pool. The trials will begin promptly at 9:00 am and conclude by 12 noon. At the conclusion of the trials the students will walk back to school.

REPRESENTATIVE SPORT

Best of luck to Rafael M and Bailey C who will be participating in the MacKillop Basketball Trials on Friday 24 February 2023. This is such a wonderful achievement and we wish the boys all the best at the trials.