News
Reception News
Smart Little Reception Legends Create Visual Masterpieces to Communicate Their Special Places of Prayer
The Reception students brainstormed and painted calm and happy places where they pray and make great connections with God.
These young students worked hard in their discussion space to figure out what some of the quiet and happy places are they can go, to connect with God. They created an artwork to go with their special places of their choice. Every Reception took time to create a special art piece with water colours.
Hamish shared ‘I picked the beach because it is calm, and I like catching fish’. Rida stated, ‘I picked outside my house because it’s REALLY calm’. ‘I did the scrub because it is nice and quiet’ Beau mentioned. ‘It’s good for them to know where to go when they need to pray’ explained Miss Warwick.
The St Columba’s Memorial School community should be proud of these young ones because they have worked extremely hard and have created these wonderful paintings.
By Adelaide Johnson and Hudson Forbes
Junior Primary News
Year 1/2s Are Mapping Out the Building Blocks to a Successful Narrative
The Year 1/2s are learning to structure their narratives by testing their knowledge with their very own incredible short stories. These little young legends are learning about how to create some interesting introductions by including who, what, when and where.
In this class full of wonder, their task was to roll some dice to gain inspiration to see which of the 4 W’s they would get. ‘The stories may be silly, but they have to make sense’ Miss Watkins explained to the class. Together they had to buddy up with their own classmates to create their mini narratives. As a group they discussed the key to their outstanding introductions. Tanner and Lachlan’s story was about ‘The man was going out on a sunny day to the shops and jumped into the pool’. They all created very interesting stories.
The Year 1/2’s showed fantastic listening skills in this subject. Harvey rated it a 9 out of 10 and all students loved this project. They are now moving onto their complication and happy endings.
By Poppy Craggs and Gabriela Taheny
Middle Primary News
Year 3/4 Magnificent Math-Magicians Use Their Growth Mindset to Expand Their Math Skills
Math-Magicians are on an important mission to find out the price of fruit and veg. The Year 3/4s have been really busy calculating the importance of fruit and vegetables at different supermarkets per kilogram.
The Year 3/4s used their multiplication, division, and growth mindset skills to find out the answers. ‘It was fun and interesting, I will take notice now at the shops and use it when I’m older’ stated Shelly. ‘I think it’s important because now we can know which fruit and veg is the cheapest’ explained Zoe.
The significance of this subject is calculating prices of groceries, as prices are rapidly increasing. Families are looking for lots of ways to budget their shopping. The Year 3/4’s are now finished this interesting topic, and move on with gaining skills in time.
By Lucas Cross and Emma Berends
Upper Primary News
Year 5 Journalists Take Over St Columba’s Memorial School Printing Press
Year 5 journalists recreated the St Columba’s Memorial School Newsletter to give a real-world experience to their learning. Students have been learning about media texts. The two texts of focus are feature articles and news articles.
Miss Roads said ‘It’s important to connect learning to real world contexts, so that students can transfer their learning to familiar environments. News is all around students and now they have the skills to breakdown and create their own point of view’. The Year 5’s analysed different feature and news articles being able to identify how point of view is manipulated by things like bias, assertion, and emotive language.
Hudson said ‘I’ve enjoyed this unit since it’s uncommon to write the school newsletter’. Gabriela added ‘It has been fun seeing what the other classes have been doing’.
The Year 5s hope you have liked this newsletter as much as they have enjoyed this unit!
By Isaac Mylius and Ella Simons
Senior Primary News
Year 6/7 Leaders Use Percentages to Increase Their Knowledge on Money
The sensational 6/7’s have been using an exceptional concept to understand money better in their classroom. For the past two weeks, the 6/7’s have been focusing on percentages in maths.
One of the activities the class did was finding discounts online, in a store of choice. The students all agreed that this lesson was their favourite part of the unit so far. Knowledgeable Mr March shared that learning about percentages is a good way to help kids understand money, as money is apart of everyday life.
Now the percentage superstars will have a new skill in maths to tackle next.
By Tahlei Coombe and Fred Honner
Principal's Report
As we head into Term 3 below is a brief update on our reporting process, some exciting staffing news and our building works.
School Reports
As mentioned in a previous newsletter, we have changed our report format from this semester. We are trialling having a comment for all subjects taught as well as a ‘general comment from the classroom teacher.
This has been an increased workload for staff, but we hope that it provides a more rounded report.
I’ve spent the past week proofreading these reports, and it has certainly given me a broader insight into each child, and how they are tracking across all subjects.
Students are assessed using the Australian Curriculum and using CESA Performance Standards which help guide student’s attainment against the curriculum.
Staffing News
We are delighted to announce we have filled our WHS Vacancy, and Amanda Pitt will be joining the SCMS Family. Amanda comes to us well regarded for her work with the Yorke Peninsula Council, a role she will continue while working with us. I know Amanda will contribute strongly to our community and we look forward to having her join the team next term.
Building Works
As you would have noticed works are well underway in the refurbishment of our Year 3-7 classrooms. These rooms have been opened, and will be updated with contemporary furniture, cabinetry and learning areas to ensure our students have the most contemporary learning facilities in the SYP.
If you’ve visited the new Junior Primary building, you will understand the comfort and calmness that new learning spaces bring. Next term we will be holding various tours for new families, current families and old scholars so feel free to come along and have a look.
Travel Safe
If your social media feed is anything like mine you’ve got a quarter of your friend’s interstate, a quarter in Europe and many exploring the state. During the holidays, please travel safe and spend some quality time with your families.
In all things love.
Scott March
Literacy Coaching
Our Round Table Writers group has been examining an interview with Australian author Michael Trant , that appeared in the Adelaide Advertiser recently. It was an interesting exercise because it lead to us sharing our earliest reading of books and what book had had a pivotal impact upon us. We were all decided that a physical book, as opposed to an E-book or Audio-book is our preference. We were also able to share which book we had next in mind to read, from either a recommendation or a personal goal. We enjoyed reading about this author/farmer from the interview questions and sharing with each other our reading experiences too.
Regards,
Mandy Thompson
