Term+3+Newsletter

=Term 3 Newsletter= ** Studio M Newsletter **

Term 3 and second semester is now underway. In the interests of having the best possible term, the Year 7 Studio team would like to make a few reminders and keep you up to date with a few changes.

We welcome Jerrod Davison to our team. Jerrod has previously worked at Haslem Campus and will be part of our team until the end of the year. He will replace Alan Cleaver, who is on leave for the first two weeks of this term. Grant Findlay will take long service during the last 4 weeks of this term and Emma Parkinson is expecting to begin her maternity leave in term four so Jerrod will take these classes during the semester.

We would also like welcome our new 5 to 9 Village Principal, Mr Michael Haniff. Michael has already been over to the studio to introduce himself and meet the students.

English groups have changed this term. These changes enable us to use the four tier model promoted by our literacy coaches. We will continue our strong focus on reading. The literacy coaches will continue to help plan our English classes this term. Our reading expectations for the term follow on from term 2 – at one larger novel or 4-3 shorter novels, a picture book and some personal reading. The expectations are listed on the English page of the Year 7 wiki. We encourage students to increase the range of text types they are reading, to go beyond the genre they might be familiar with.

Not all the expected reading should be covered in class. We know that many students have kept up their reading at home but to ensure this is across the board, we would like students to have their planner signed to show that they have read three times per week. We thank parents for their cooperation and reiterate that taking an interest in your child’s reading is the best thing you can do to improve outcomes. Weekly journal writing will continue this term.

On-Demand testing is the focus at the beginning of each term. We remind students that On-Demand tests are only one part of the assessments that are used to establish a VELS level on the College reports but they are used to monitor the progress of students and to inform our teaching in class. Most students now have their previous scores on the My Individual Data program which shows graphs of student’s progress. Please ask your child about their On-Demand data and take a look at the graphs which are filed on student’s netbook computers.

This term the weekly Maths homework sheets will be Math Mate Sheets. There are 8 sheets and a test sheet to be completed during term 3. There is a place for a parent signature on each sheet. The benefit of signing the sheet each week would simply be keeping informed of the work your child is doing. Teachers will be able to differentiate the level of work by negotiating with students the amount of the work sheet to be completed. It will be possible for students to keep a record of the types of questions they are getting right/wrong.

In the first part of this term students will undertake project based learning in Humanities, researching a country or region and an environmental issue in that part of the world. Students will be encouraged to present the project in line with their preferred multiple intelligence. The projects will be presented to parents, other students and staff in an evening mid way through the term.

We urge all students to make sure that they continue to be organised for the coming two terms. Planners need to be void of graffiti and kept in a suitable state to assist organisation. Planners are also a form of communication between school and home. Students should also check that they still have a full range of materials and equipment, such as a calculator, ruler, pens, pencils etc.

Attendance is also an important issue. Being away from school can have a significant impact on a student’s learning and put pressure on students to catch up. If students need to miss school then a note or a phone call to explain it is appreciated. Students/parents should negotiate work with teachers if they know they will be away for a longer period of time. We do not want ‘I was away that day’ to become an excuse for not getting work completed.

We would like to remind you that the school uniform is expected to be worn. A student may be given a detention if they are out of uniform without a note. If uniforms are difficult to purchase then we request students wear a pain navy blue top/jumper without brands boldly on display.

Parents and students are reminded that students are not to go up the street at lunchtime. Lunch passes have been issued for anybody who goes home for lunch. Lunch passes are organised through year level coordinators.

Studio M has been open to students at recess and lunchtimes so far this year. We encourage students to get outside to have a break at these times but have been prepared to keep the studio open as an extra option for Year 7 students. We have run our own detention and work busters program at lunchtime. There will be some changes this semester. Detention will now be done in D4 with any other student from the school. The school policy of 3 lunchtime detentions leading to a Thursday afterschool detention will be enforced from now on. Work busters will still take place in the studio for those students wanting to complete homework or who do not get the expected work done in class. Other than work busters, Tuesday and Thursday lunch times will be independent reading only in the studio this term.

Parent/Teacher/Student interviews are coming up during week four and five this term so please plan on coming in to talk to us at this time. We will be asking students to reflect on their reports this week and identify areas they would like to work on for the coming semester. Please log on to the //LearnCom7// wiki to see what we are up to. Feel free to contact the school with any feedback or questions.

Grant Findlay Emma Parkinson Rachele Lockie Tom Grinter Alan Claver Jerrod Davison