Dear Parents/Carers,                                                                        

It is with great pleasure that I welcome everyone back to school for term 4. The task for this term will be to keep the children engaged, energised and working right through till the last day of the school year. I know that with the support we have always received from the parents of this community, this will not be too difficult a task. However, I must sometimes “kick”myself and remind myself that a school needs to be more than this, as St Paul says:

I am sure these words resonate with everyone, especially the Year 6 children, who would know these as the fruits of the Spirit. I must admit, trying to be “fruitful” in this way is a huge challenge for me and my leadership on occasions. As parents and adults, we must keep trying, because that is the core part of my work as principal when it comes to your children. Naturally, it is the same with the teachers. However, even more importantly we, parents and teachers, need to be like this with each other so that we maximise the best opportunities for learning for your child. Learning is relational and social and this is the message we need to take from St Paul.

Go Gently,

Michael Reardon
Principal

What is curriculum?

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a syllabus and the curriculum? A syllabus is a mandated document produced by NESA to inform teachers of what they're required to teach students and why.

Each syllabus includes the rationale, aim, outcomes, course, specific content, and any mandated assessment requirements. After receiving the syllabus from NESA schools, then use this to develop the curriculum.

The curriculum is a plan for learning that every school develops for each key learning area. It includes all relevant syllabuses and other relevant information to support teachers, including system policies and procedures. Schools prioritise how the content is planned to be taught and the resources chosen. The curriculum provides an opportunity for teachers to plan, evaluate and modify teaching programs to improve student learning.

Curriculum Reform.

The NSW education system is reforming the curriculum which will be taught in all classrooms from Kindergarten to Year 12. The new curriculum, as a result of the NSW Curriculum Reform, will give students more time to focus on key learning areas so that they can acquire a deeper understanding of central concepts. It will ensure students develop strong foundations for learning, life and work in a complex and fast-changing world.

This reform has been informed by extensive consultation with teachers, parents and education experts, and is underpinned by extensive research. Curriculum reform involves change that spans many aspects of schooling, including teaching, learning, assessment and reporting to parents. New syllabuses provide schools with a unique opportunity to refocus and place curriculum at the heart of school planning. Key curriculum changes include:

• Building strong foundations for future learning with new English and Mathematics syllabuses for Kindergarten to Year 2
• An entirely new curriculum from 2022 with new syllabuses focused on what is essential to know and do in the early and middle years of schooling, and key learning areas in the senior years

The new curriculum will ensure every student develops strong foundations for learning, life and work. The reforms are vital for the young people in our schools 

Mentor Texts

A mentor text is a text that is studied as an example to show how specific textual features are crafted. The text provides students with a model to emulate when crafting their own text (NESA, 2021). Supporting texts provide further opportunities to extend and deepen learning.

Mentor texts:

• address the identified outcomes and content
• align to the same mentor or supporting textual concept.

The school would like to congratulate Madeleine (6 Faith), Avoca (6 Hope), Zoey (6 Faith) and Leila (5 Truth) on their artworks being successfully selected in the 2024 Diocese of Wollongong Christmas Story Art Exhibition and Competition. Madeline’s artwork received a Highly Commended award.

All students should be proud of their dedication, passion, commitment and creative expression throughout the whole process! 

November P&F Meeting

The November P&F Meeting will be held Wednesday, 6 November beginning at 7:00pm in the school hall. This meeting the P&F will also trial a zoom option for parents who are unable to make the meeting.

To attend the meeting via zoom, you will need to log in via your zoom account before entering the meeting. Please use the link below on the evening.

P&F Zoom Meeting Link 03/11/24

Camden MP Christmas Card Competition

Sally Quinnell, Member for Camden would like to invite the primary school students of Camden to enter her Christmas card drawing competition. Please see attached letter.