From The APL&T

Dear Nativity Community

What a start to the year we have had with learning in the classroom and outdoors. Last week, we were pleased to see so many families at our Welcome BBQ and student led assembly. This was an ideal opportunity to hear about being at Nativity and to meet other families. Erika’s principal report provided the community with a snapshot of the work completed by our staff and students last year.

Beginning of Lent

This week our school have enjoyed pancakes prepared by our parent volunteers. This was for Shrove Tuesday, being the day before the church season of Lent. On Wednesday our school community joined the parishioners at church for Ash Wednesday Mass.
Lent is a significant season in the Catholic Church, lasting for 40 days (excluding Sundays) leading up to Easter. It is a time for reflection, prayer, and penance, where Catholics prepare their hearts for the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. During the Mass, ashes are blessed and placed on our foreheads in the shape of a cross. This act symbolizes reminds us of our mortality and the need for reconciliation with God. It is a powerful way to start the Lenten journey, encouraging us to turn away from sin and grow closer to God.

Swimming and Aquatics Week

Our students have thoroughly enjoyed their swimming program at SA Aquatic Centre and Port Noarlunga Aquatic Centre, where learning extended well beyond the classroom. Students developed important water safety and swimming skills, whilst also building confidence and resilience in a new environment. We are incredibly proud of the way students approached the week with enthusiasm and determination, here are some of their thoughts about the week:

I liked swimming with my friends. – Jennifer (Rec)
I like kicking my legs in the pool. – Fraser (Rec)
I loved going in the 3-metre pool. – Layla (Yr 3)
I liked jumping in the water. – Seb (Yr 4)
I liked the entire week of swimming. – Lilah (Yr 4)
The best part of aquatics was the boogie boards, especially when it was raining. – Hazel (Yr 5)

Playgroup

Our Nativity Nest Playgroup has been buzzing with excitement on a Tuesday and Thursday morning. Two of our classroom support staff Alicia Symonds and Melissa van der Linden are running playgroup this year. If you have any young children or know of any children who might like to attend Playgroup with their families, they are more than welcome to join us in the Bartram building form 9am – 10:15.

Assessments

Alongside the water experiences, students and staff have been working extremely hard in classrooms. Class teachers have been conducting a range of literacy and numeracy assessments, which provide valuable information about each student’s learning. Teachers have carefully analysed all data to inform their planning and to make appropriate adjustments that best support individual learning needs.

As a school, we are fortunate to be able to offer a range of intervention programs, where students may spend time out of the classroom to receive targeted support in areas such as reading, spelling, and number skills. Families have been notified by letter if their child has been offered an intervention program.

When students require specific learning adjustments, teachers work closely with families through Personalised Plans for Learning (PPLs). It has been wonderful to see so many parents engaging in collaborative conversations with teachers to discuss their child’s learning goals and the strategies being used to support progress. These partnerships play an important role in ensuring learning continues both at school and at home.

NAPLAN

Looking ahead, in Week 5, our Year 3 and Year 5 students will participate in a Practice NAPLAN assessment. This provides students with the opportunity to log on to the NAPLAN platform and become familiar with the online assessment environment. In Week 7, students will complete the official NAPLAN assessments in Writing, Reading, Conventions of Language, and Numeracy. If families have any questions or concerns, we encourage you to speak directly with your child’s teacher.

Global Concept

Our Term 1 Global Concept is guiding learning across the school, with the big question of:

How can communities work together to create positive change?

Students across the school are learning through our Global Challenge of Community. Learning is guided by the 4 Cs – Curiosity, Connection, Communication and Creation to help unpack the above question. Students will engage in rich learning experiences that help them understand who they are, where they belong, and how they can communicate ideas effectively within their community and beyond.

Learning is hands on, creative and connected to real world contexts. Through the Global Challenge of Community, students learn that their ideas, actions and voices matter. They develop skills to think critically, work with others and contribute positively to their communities—now and in the future.

This is a brief snapshot of what our Year 3-6 students will focus on as they unpack the questions of how communities work together to create positive change. Other year levels will be shared in my next website piece.

Year 5/6 Term 1 Communities

Technologies
Students explore their local community and learn how to use digital tools to share information in clear and creative ways through:
• Asking questions about people, places and stories in their community
• Gathering ideas from real sources such as community members or events
• Sharing information with real audiences like families or classmates
• Creating digital products such as posters, infographics or presentations
Student voice that is being developed:
“We are learning how to use technology to tell people about our community.”
“If information looks clear and interesting, more people want to learn from it.”

Health and English
Students explore identity, belonging and influence, and how people and places shape who we are by:
• Asking questions about identity and what influences it
• Making connections between their own lives and others’ experiences
• Talking, writing and presenting ideas respectfully
• Creating texts that show positive self-identity and belonging
Student voice that is being developed:
“Who we are can change depending on the people and places around us.”
“Writing about my identity helped me feel proud of who I am.”

HASS
Students learn about significant individuals and groups in Australian history and how communities create change by:
• Investigating people who shaped early Australian communities
• Connecting past events to issues we see today
• Sharing learning using historical language
• Designing a modern community action idea
Student voice that is being developed:
“People in the past made choices that still affect us today.”
“Learning about history helps us think about how we can improve our community now.”

Years 3/4 Term 1 – Communities

Religious Education
Students explore how the life of Jesus and the Liturgical Year bring the Church community together through:
• Learning about feasts and seasons in the Church
• Connecting Bible stories to Church celebrations
• Sharing ideas about love and kindness
• Creating Holy Week presentations
Student voice that is being developed:
“The Church celebrates together so no one feels alone.”
“Jesus showed us how to love and care for others in our community.”

HASS
Students explore how people contribute to change in communities by:
• Asking questions about why communities change
• Exploring how people are connected to places
• Explaining ideas clearly
• Creating artwork using recycled materials
Student voice that is being developed:
“Even small actions can help our community.”
“Using recycled materials shows we care about nature.”

Our Early years assembly today shared with the community the amazing learning that has happened in the first 4 weeks of school for them. The classes shared many learning experiences that have occurred across all curriculum areas. We look forward to seeing the learning that continues throughout the year for all our community. It has been exciting to walk around the school and see and hear the buzz of excitement and joy for learning in all classes and I look forward to continuing to share information about our learning with you I would like to leave you with this proverb ….

“Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.”

Kind regards
Melinda James