From the APL&T
Learning and Teaching at Our School: Embracing Global Concepts
This year, we introduced Global Concepts as part of our Future-Based Learning initiative. Each term, the entire school focuses on a specific concept. The Global Concepts for this year are:
• Belonging and Identity
• One World
• Environmental Stewardship
• Imagination and Innovation
This Term’s Focus: Belonging and Identity
This term, we are focusing on Belonging and Identity. Year levels will explore the essential question, “What does it mean to belong?” Teachers are collaborating in teams to map learning that fosters curiosity, connection, communication, and creation across at least two curriculum areas from the Australian Curriculum. In this newsletter, we will focus on Year 3-6 and the learning they have been conducting.
Year 3/4 Classes: Exploring Diversity in Australia’s Culture
Footsteps (small but essential positive actions towards achieving success):
• Identify the diversity in our classroom through mapping countries of origin.
• Discover the natural places and landmarks of Australia and their importance to our history and cultural significance.
• Identify major places in Australia and connect to the importance of people in those places.
• Explore how First Nations peoples belong to the land.
• Discover the local Indigenous Dreamtime story.
• Understand how Dreamtime stories spread cultural awareness.
• Explore our own family stories/fairytales that have morals.
• Understand how portraits can showcase unique identities.
• Express cultural differences through different art mediums.
Year 5/6BD: Cyber Safety and Online Communities
Footsteps:
• Watch videos on cyber safety as the provocation.
• Discuss the videos and their impact.
• Unpack the achievement statements.
• Relate previous learning to the achievement statements.
• Determine success criteria to meet the achievement standards.
• Choose an appropriate medium based on the target audience.
• Identify important cybersafe messages that meet the achievement standard.
Year 5/6HB Health and English: Influences on Identity
Footsteps:
• Share how identities can be changed by people.
• Share how identities can be changed by places.
• Explain how we can create a positive self-identity.
• Create a presentation to share information, arguments, and ideas.
• Record examples of who has shaped our identity.
• Identify significant places that shape our identity.
• List positive affirmations to build positive self-identities.
• Identify what we love about ourselves.
• Combine our information in the form of a presentation.
Year 5/6HB Religious Education: Demonstrating Leadership in the Community
Daily Footsteps:
• Discuss and list how students belong in their community and what parts of the community they belong to.
• Brainstorm different ways to help their community and the people in it (school, parish, sporting, family, etc.).
• Plan one action in their community that could make a difference.
• Explore how the Holy Spirit helps make us a community.
• Investigate different Holy Spirit artworks and depictions.
Pupil Free Day
On our recent pupil free day, our staff dedicated time to enhancing the Mathematics curriculum across the school. This involved finalising our curriculum and assessment mapping for all year levels. We also had the privilege of working with Paul Swann, who guided us on creating engaging learning experiences that ensure all students can succeed in Mathematics.
NAPLAN
Year 3-5 students completed the NAPLAN assessments for 2025 a few weeks ago. We are pleased to report minimal disruptions with technology this year. Results should be available in July, and we will distribute them as soon as we receive them.
End of Term
As the term progresses, some of us may find it challenging to get ready in the morning. Simple tasks can become more difficult, and activities like waiting, taking turns, and listening can also become more challenging. To support us in managing these situations, it is beneficial to pay attention to our physical needs. Regular opportunities to eat healthy food, drink water, and get sufficient sleep and rest are crucial. As Brunzell and Norrish (2021) state, “students’ capacity to make effective decisions and regulate their behaviours is compromised when their biological needs, such as food and sleep, are not met.”
I would like to leave you with this quote: “Learning is a journey that never ends. Every day is a new opportunity to discover, grow, and become the best version of ourselves.” – Anon
Melinda James
Assistant Principal Learning & Teaching
