From the Principal

Dear Parents, Carers, Staff, Students and Friends of Nativity School,

Thank you to all of you who attended our Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday night along with the Parent Information Evening. One of the best predictors of student success is the extent to which families involve themselves in their child’s learning and encourage learning at home.
“Parent expectations and their discussions with their children about learning are the most critical factors in children’s school achievement” (John Hattie Educational Researcher)
One of the ways we often engage with our children about school is to ask “What have you done at school today?” often the answer is “nothing!” I would like to assure you that this is not true! The teachers at Nativity are working with students so they know what the focus of learning is in each topic and why this is important. They are also encouraging students to use success criteria, think about what they can do next to extend learning and to reflect on learning. So to support us in making learning visible in our school try asking:

What are you learning?

How are you doing with this?

How can you improve?

What do you do if you get stuck?

This week I asked these questions of some of our students.

Noah in Mrs Drum’s class: I am learning to write a letter. I’d like to make my letters smaller because sometimes they are a bit big. If I get stuck with writing I use the most used words list.

Millie in Mr Baldock’s class: I am learning about Geography in HASS. I like learning about new countries and where they are in the world. If I get stuck I can try again or ask a friend or my teacher for help

Beau in Mr Baldock’s class: The success criteria I am working towards is multiplying odd and even numbers. I can improve by practicing more at home.

Sophie and Hudson from Mrs Broadbent’s class: We have been reading Matilda by Jackie French and we have to independently write a chapter summary that makes sense. We are also writing narratives. When you get stuck you have to try and figure it out by yourself using different strategies. We use google to look for synonyms to make our writing more interesting.

This week we have introduced a QR code check in for all visitors to our site. Please scan the code and follow the prompts on your phone for check in. This code does not replace our normal sign in procedures for Work Health Safety, so please also sign in as you usually would in case there is an evacuation or the like. As always if you are unwell please do not enter the school site for the safety of students and all community members. If you are on site please observe social distancing rules and remember to sanitise your hands regularly.

This Sunday is the Commissioning Mass for our Staff at the Parish mass. This is an opportunity for the parish members to welcome staff to the 2021 school year and give thanks for 200 years of Catholic Education in Australia. It is a chance for staff to reflect on their call as catholic educators, to be a daily witness to the gospel and of service to their students and the school community. It is a great privilege for us to be a part of your lives and to be in partnership with you. I look forward to seeing many of you at mass.

God Bless,

Erika