From The APL&T

Dear Nativity Community,

At Nativity, we remain committed to creating positive and supportive learning environments where every student can be successful. Our teachers use a variety of strategies to engage all learners, ensuring that every child has access to meaningful learning experiences.

We are fortunate to be supported by a team of Educational Support Officers (ESOs) who work closely with our staff to provide targeted small-group interventions. These interventions take place both within and outside the classroom and are carefully designed based on identified student needs through ongoing assessment.

This week, we are delighted to welcome a new member to our Educational Support team. Carolyn brings a wealth of experience in supporting student learning, and we look forward to the valuable contributions she will make to our community.

Global Concept – Term 3: Environmental Stewardship

Our Term 3 Global Concept is Environmental Stewardship, with the guiding Line of Inquiry being:
“How do we care for Country?” Across the school, students are engaging in rich learning experiences that explore this important question.

• Reception to Year 2 students are exploring the significance of Country through their HASS learning. They are investigating the local area, learning how places change over time, and how they can be cared for by different groups, including First Nations Australians. Some classes have also been unpacking the Acknowledgement of Country and its meaning.

• During Music, Year 1/2 students are integrating environmental stewardship by exploring natural sounds and their cultural significance. Activities include sound scavenger hunts and studying Indigenous and other cultural musical expressions. Students will create soundscapes or songs that celebrate and promote care for the environment.

• Year 3/4 students are approaching the inquiry through English and Visual Arts. They are investigating different types of farming and what makes a farm sustainable. As part of their learning, they will create artworks using plant materials.

• Year 5/6 students are exploring the concept through multiple learning areas:
• Technologies: Understanding how and why food and fibre are produced in managed environments.
• Religious Education: Investigating which ecological choices have the greatest impact on the poor and vulnerable.
• Science: Exploring the transfer and transformation of energy in electrical circuits, including the role of components, insulators, and
conductors.
• English: Using comprehension strategies such as visualising, predicting, connecting, summarising, monitoring, and questioning to build meaning and
compare content from various sources.

Students have already participated in a SA Water incursion, where they learned about sustainable water management, the water cycle, and how to purify water through hands-on demonstrations.

Reading Workshop for Parents
We invite families of Reception to Year 2 students to attend a Reading Workshop on Wednesday, 13th August from 9:00–10:00am in the staff room. The session will offer practical strategies to support your child’s reading development at home. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to info@nativity.catholic.edu.au.

Premier’s Reading Challenge (PRC)
There are fewer than 30 days left to complete this year’s PRC! Reception to Year 2 students have completed the challenge in class. Students in Years 3–6 who wish to participate will need to complete their reading at home and return the completed form to their class teacher by early September. Additional forms are available at the https://premiersreadingchallenge.sa.edu.au/.

Book Week – Week 5, Term 3
We are excited to celebrate Book Week in Week 5. Students will engage in learning activities inspired by shortlisted books, and we will conclude the week with a Dress-Up Parade on Friday, 22nd August. This year’s theme from the CBCA is “Book an Adventure”—we can’t wait to see where our imaginations will take us!

I would like to leave you with this quote in preparation for Book Week and the adventures that await…
“Oh the places you’ll go! There is fun to be done! There are points to be scored. There are games to be won. And the magical things you can do with that ball will make you the winning-est winner of all.” Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You’ll Go!

Kind regards
Melinda James