25 May 2017

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPALS REPORT

Hello Parents, Carers and Friends

The Lift Expo on Saturday was great fun, with over 50 children enjoying learning through play. I think the adults also enjoyed themselves just as much. It was great to meet so many parents and family members, an unusual chance for me to have a relaxed chat. Thank you to Mrs Cruse and her incredible team of parents and helpers! It was a colourful, musical, fun event. Thank you also to all the staff to came along to support the Lift Expo

Next week we welcome Miss Lauren McCarthy from UTas. Miss McCarthy is doing her teaching degree and will spend the remainder of Term 2 with 2/3 Weavers. Welcome Miss McCarthy. We hope that Risdon Vale Primary School inspires you to be excited about teaching as a career.

With NAPLAN over for this year, we are already onto ensuring that mid-year reports will be of a very high quality. Mrs Palfreyman has used consultation to ensure that all reports will provide you with clear information about how your child is progressing in their learning and identifying what the next steps in their learning are. Our Parent/Teacher evenings will be structured to enable every report to be handed to you with a face-to-face conversation with your child’s teacher. Mid-year reports and Parent/Teacher evening are scheduled for the second last week of term.

Teachers continue to meet every Wednesday afternoon to work on developing the most effective teaching strategies for successful learning. Our priority for this year is Mathematics and Numeracy. Teachers are learning how to use different tools to help students to understand maths concepts and promote maths talk.

Grade 3, 4 and 5 students will conclude their Water Safety and Swimming program at the end of this week. I would like to thank all families for supporting this program by getting your child ready for swimming each day and ensuring that they attend the program. I would like to investigate how we might fund another Early Years water orientation program later this year.

On Tuesday afternoons beginning May 30th, from 3.20pm – 4.20pm in our school library, sign language interpreter Roey Wilkinson, and Teacher of the Deaf Sarah Leonard will be teaching sign language for all levels, including those who have never signed before. All Risdon Vale primary School community members are invited to attend: parents, careers, students and staff. Our own Lana Story is already becoming a very skilled user of Auslan, and she will be there to help too.

Thank you very much for making sure your child is coming to school in a warm winter uniform. I noticed a big improvement over the past two weeks. There were five or more children not wearing school uniform jumpers and jackets in the first week or so of term but now every child is in uniform. Thank you very much for your help. If your child loses their jumper and it is hard to replace, please see your child’s teacher or the office.

Last night our teachers and some TAs attended a professional learning session with Celeste Phillips, our Speech Pathologist. Encouraging young people to talk and to ask questions helps them build the foundations of literacy.

Mrs Jean Rigney will be on leave for the remainder of this term. She has been doing an amazing amount of work in conducting all library lessons for classes, taking literacy and numeracy groups and continuing to update teaching resources. She will be back in Term 3. While Mrs Rigney is on leave, we welcome back Mr David Pears. Mr Pears will be taking over Mrs Rigney’s role.

I forgot to mention that a few weeks ago our school held its official fire-drill assessment. The fire department were on location here and checked all aspects of our fire-drill. I want to let you know that we got an outstanding result, a perfect score! The students were excellent and all adults knew exactly what to do.

We are working with students to emphasise the importance of respectfully following teachers’ instructions. I noticed a very disturbing trend at the beginning of this term when some students loudly and rudely defied teachers, disrupted learning and risked safety. We are a school where all adults are paid professionals or skilled volunteers, whose job it is it respectfully provide reasonable instructions to ensure that learning and safety are our top priorities. I want to thank parents and families for your support. I have noticed a huge improvement with students understanding that they must attend classes in a responsible manner. We are not just educating children for tomorrow, we are educating them for high-school, college, and adult and working life. As young people’s brains are developing, we teach them to think and act responsibly. Your support is critical and appreciated.

You have probably heard by now that the science about fidget toys is pretty weak. For a very few students, fidget toys can be a useful tool for helping focus, for the vast majority they are not needed and cause distractions. We have not banned the toys from school but they must be kept in pockets/bags during class time, unless the teacher has given permission. Lost, stolen, broken fidget toys are not our responsibility if brought to school.

Whole school assembly is held in the Open Area from 1.50pm – 2.35pm every Monday. We have a wonderful group of regular visitors who watch our assembly and it is great to see them there each week. Please do come along to our assembly and make this loyal audience even bigger. Thank you for your on-going support as we all work together to ensure that we are known as a school that educates every child for excellent in academic and social/emotional learning.

Kinds regards, Libby

Neighbourhood House Simultaneous Storytime

Wednesday the 24th May 2017 was simultaneous Storytime which was held in the Launch into Learning room at school. Children and families attended to hear the story of The cow tripped over the moon which was read at 11am timing with many other children all over Tasmania. After completing they did activities relevant to the book including a cow jumping over a moon. It was a wonderful event and each child received a free book for attending and listening to the story.

Nursery Rhyme

Five Little Speckled Frogs
Five Little Speckled Frogs (Hold five fingers (frogs) on top of your
other arm (log)
Sat on a speckled log
Eating the most delicious bugs. Yum! Yum!
One jumped into the pool (jump a finger off the log into the pool)
Where it was nice and cool
Now there are Four green speckled frogs (Hold up four fingers)

Four Little Speckled Frogs
Sat on a speckled log
Eating the most delicious bugs. Yum! Yum!
One jumped into the pool
Where it was nice and cool
Now there are Three green speckled frogs

Three little speckled frogs
Sat on a speckled log
Eating the most delicious bugs. Yum! Yum!
One jumped into the pool
Where it was nice and cool
Now there are Two green speckled frogs

Two little speckled frogs
Sat on a speckled log
Eating the most delicious bugs. Yum! Yum!
One jumped into the pool
Where it was nice and cool
Now there is one green speckled frog

One little speckled frog
Sat on a speckled log
Eating the most delicious bugs. Yum! Yum!
It jumped into the pool
Where it was nice and cool
Now there is no more speckled frogs

Great learning maths games online for free for any age group at our school. (Kinder to Grade 6)

For the older children to learn coding on the computer try:

On Tuesday May 16th as part of their excursion into the city 1/2/3 Varveris, 2/3 Weavers and 3/4 Patulny attended a performance by the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra at the Grand Chancellor Concert Hall based on the book Sir Scallywag and the Golden Underpants. The story was narrated by Paul Rissman. Students had been preparing for this performance in their music classes by listening to some of the pieces that the Orchestra played in the concert as well as learning to sing Sir Scallywag’s Song, The Underpants of Glory and the Disaster Song because they got to join in and sing along with the orchestra during the story.

PRE-KINDERGARTEN 2017

This will start in second term on Thursday’s from May 4th
Times will be 9 am till 10.30 am
Children are eligible who were born in the year 2013.
You must fill out an enrolment form available from the school office.
Children are to be accompanied by a parent or carer.
You will need to bring 1 piece of fruit to share a drink bottle with water and a smock.

High 5 awards presented at Assembly 15th May 2017

High 5 awards presented at assembly 22nd May 2017

Home Reading

Congratulations to these students, who received Home Reading Certificates at assembly this week.

Asian Coleslaw

Equipment: chopping boards, knives, peelers, citrus juicer, large mixing bowl, measuring spoons, dressing shaker, tongs, serving bowl

Ingredients:

2 carrots, peeled and julienned
¼ red cabbage
½ small onion, finely sliced
½ -1 cucumber, finely sliced
2-3 radishes or 1 daikon, finely sliced or julienned
5 mint leaves, finely sliced with scissors

Dressing:

1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice ( or bottled)
1/8 teaspoon chilli powder
2 teaspoons vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
3 tablespoons olive oil
½ teaspoon sesame oil

Method

1. Prepare all vegetables as listed in ingredient list.
2. In a large serving dish mix carrot, radish, onion, cucumber, mint and cabbage together. Mix well.

Dressing:

1. Measure all dressing ingredients into the dressing shaker. Place lid on tightly and shake to mix well.
2. Just before serving pour dressing over salad and mix gently with tongs.

Recipe adapted from Stephanie Alexanders recipe: Asian Coleslaw

Fried Rice

Equipment

chopping boards knives
bowls
tablespoon
teaspoon
frypans x 2
serving bowl
serving spoons
eating bowls

1 ¼ cup white rice
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons sunflower oil
1 onion or 2 spring onions, finely sliced
1 garlic clove, finely chopped

Sauce:

1 tablespoon sweet chilli sauce
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon hoisin sauce

Vegetable choices: 1/2 cups of peas, carrots -finely sliced or grated, sliced zucchini, silverbeet- finely sliced

Meat choices: 1 cup of chopped ham, chicken, lamb, pork or a combination of meats

Method:

1. Cook rice for 10 minutes in salted boiling water. Drain off water and leave the rice in the colander.
2. Break eggs into a bowl and whisk. Cook eggs in a lightly oiled frypan. When cooked remove eggs and put onto a chopping board. When cold, slice the eggs thinly.
3. Put sunflower oil in a frypan and add spring onion and garlic. Stir for 2 to 3 minutes to soften and then add prepared vegetables. Mix well while cooking.
4. Add cooked rice, meat, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and sesame oil. Stir-fry for 5 minutes or until heated through.
5. Mix sliced egg through the rice mixture and serve.

Serves 6-8

Ham and cheese pasta bake

Equipment: chopping boards, knives, measuring cups, measuring spoons, scales

wooden spoon, whisk, large pot, colander, large baking dish, spray oil

Ingredients

2 cups uncooked pasta
1 teaspoon salt ( add to pasta water)
200gm sliced ham, cut into bite size pieces
1 cup cheddar cheese, grated ( add to top of pasta bake)

Sauce:

60gm butter
¼ cup plain flour
2 cups milk
1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
Salt and pepper to taste

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Spray oil in a large baking dish.
2. Put salt in a large saucepan of boiling water. Add pasta and cook for 12 minutes until ‘al dente’. Drain pasta and return to saucepan.

To make sauce:

1. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. When foaming, add flour. Cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Remove from heat. Add half the milk and whisk until smooth. Add remaining milk and whisk to combine. Return pan to heat. Cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, for 3 minutes or until sauce comes to the boil and thickens.
2. Stir in 1 cup cheese.
3. Season with salt and pepper. Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed.

In the pasta saucepan:

• Add ham and white sauce. Stir to combine. Spoon into a large greased baking dish.

Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake for 25 to 30

Industry and Community Unite to Rally Behind Kids TV

Australian Kids TV is in a fight for its life. Commercial television broadcasters want their obligations to Australian children abolished. A campaign has been launched to #savekidstv.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

You can help by becoming a Kids TV Ambassador!

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

You can TAKE ACTION:

You can HELP SPREAD THE WORD ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

You can WATCH THE CAMPAIGN VIDEO:

We are grateful for your help.

Thanks,
#savekidstv team

School Association News.

The next meeting of the School Association will be held on Thursday 1st June at 3pm in the school Staff Room. New members welcome come along and have your say.

Uniform Shop

The uniform is now being run by the School Association President Tamara Knop and Rachel Paige.

The hours in which it will be open is:

MONDAY: 8.30 til 9am
WEDNESDAY: 8.30 til 9am
FRIDAY: 2.30 til 3pm

If other times are needed please contact Tamara or Rachel on the Risdon Vale Primary School Association Facebook Page.

NEWS FROM THE GARDEN

A quick reminder that the bulbs direct fundraiser will be finalised on 31st with all proceeds going to the Kitchen and garden program.

The link above is to the catalogue if you would like to order. Thank you for your support and orders will be back in just over a fortnight of final day.

Word of the week

Persistence

The primary definition of the word “Persistence” is that act of being determined and moving ahead. In terms of connotation it ranges from the negative all the way to the positive. The meaning, despite its straightforward explanation, is quite ambiguous. You can be determined to reach your goals or you can be persistent in reaching your goal. May sound similar, but the ample difference lies in how we image it. When someone is determined, you see heart along with awareness for the things around them.

Tips for teaching persistence….

How to teach persistence

One of our main goals as educators should be teaching students persistence in the classroom, since it's an important part of setting up learners to succeed. Students who have mastered persistence are able to work through challenges, deal constructively with failures and adversity, and achieve the goals they have set for themselves.

It’s a lot like running a marathon. The runners who make it to the finish line are the ones who persist in showing up for practices and trainings, learn to anticipate slumps and pace themselves, engage in positive self-talk during tough times, take steps to effectively prevent and treat injuries, and adjust expectations to fit reality – even if “finishing” means having to crawl the last mile.

Like a runner who has not trained to run longer distances, learners can’t persist in their learning if they haven’t developed the stamina they need to keep going when things get tough. Teaching persistence depends on first developing student stamina as a way of conditioning learners to handle sustained effort.

To help learners build stamina and persistence, it’s important to create the right learning environment:

Help Learners Develop a Growth Mindset

Learners need to know that they have the ability to grow and change , and that effort is the key. Praise them when they focus their efforts toward specific, clearly defined goals. When you say things like, “Those extra 10 minutes of reading each day are paying off – you are decoding unfamiliar words much more easily now,” you help learners make the connection between effort and achievement. The goal is for learners to become intrinsically motivated to engage in effortful learning now and in the future.

Push a Little Bit – and Know When Enough is Enough

Sometimes learners just need a little bit of encouragement to get past a hurdle. A few supportive words, like, “Think of how good you will feel when you finish those last two addition problems and you know you did the whole worksheet all by yourself!” can make all the difference. On the other hand, a learner may need to know that it’s okay to take a break and come back to a particular task when he’s feeling less frustrated. In that case, it’s important that the learner really does come back and complete the work to get the experience that he truly can “do more” when he persists.

Model Persistence

Most learners love to hear personal stories from their teachers. Telling your learners about your weekend plumbing project that didn’t go as planned – and how you got through it and completed it – is a great way to help learners see that everyone feels like giving up sometimes. It also models for them how to overcome those feelings and reach a goal – without coming off as preachy.

Teach Positive Self-Talk

Some learners need a lot of help knowing what to say to themselves to stay motivated. If a learner’s typical internal dialogue consists of statements like, “This is too hard,” or “I don’t know how to do this,” it may come as a revelation to discover that there are other options. Giving learners specific wording, like, “I know I can do this if I keep at it,” or, “If I’m really stuck I can ask a friend or my teacher for help,” can begin to change the way they think and act when faced with a challenge.

Expect More

Let learners know that you have high expectations and that you have confidence that each and every one of them can meet those expectations. Be sure they have access to the tools they need to be successful, and that they know how to use them.

Make the Most of Technology

Online tools like the Fast ForWord program can help learners make the connection between effort and achievement. The Fast ForWord program gradually builds learner stamina for enduring increasing degrees of cognitive load. The exercises develop reading and language skills at the same time as they boost memory, attention, processing, and sequencing ability. It gives learners immediate feedback on their performance and automatically adjusts the difficulty level for just the right degree of challenge. Fun reward animations help learners see when they have achieved a goal to help them stay motivated.

Call Out the Brain

It’s never too early – or too late – to teach your students about how the brain learns. Introduce the concept of brain plasticity – the idea that the brain changes in response to how it’s used – as a way of reinforcing the idea that learning is achieved through focused, sustained effort. Help them understand that every brain is capable of making dramatic changes and leaps in learning.

Repeat, Repeat, Repeat

Students learn persistence in the same way that they learn sight words or multiplication tables – through repetition. Strategies like modeling persistence, connecting effort to achievement, and pushing students to do a little more than they think they can aren’t a one-time deal. But when repeated over time, the cumulative effect will likely be increased stamina, improved persistence, and intrinsic motivation for ever greater learning.

Famous quotes on Persistence:

Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not: the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. Calvin Coolidge

Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in. Bill Bradley

You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it. MAYA ANGELOU

Sporting Schools After School Activities

Important dates for children for after school activities commencing next week from 29/5/2017.

Please register your child’s interest by completing the form which will be sent home on Friday 26/5/2017.

This is a great opportunity for professional coaching. There will be fruit available for your child before they participate in their chosen activity.

(Please disregard any previous notice received.)

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