Head of Preparatory School
PREP SCHOOL UPCOMING EVENTS
Harmony Week
This week we have had many learning experiences for our students and staff where they have been able to explore the 2021 Harmony Week theme of Everyone Belongs. Our buddy classes have met each other to share ideas, we have embraced diversity in our own school environment and enjoyed many open and honest discussions around acceptance. I know our students are looking forward to the Bandaged Bear Picnic Day / Harmony Lunch on Friday. Please remember to pack a gold coin and a bear to share lunch with! The students will be eating lunch with their buddy classes.
Week 9 Learning Conversations
Thank you to all families who have booked a time to talk with your child’s teacher. I do hope that the choice of Zoom or face to face meetings has been helpful. I welcome your feedback on how we have set the meetings up this term. Our staff are looking forward to discussing where your child is with their learning and also what the next steps are in moving forward together.
This term we have embedded the Response to Intervention Learning Support model (RTI) to help frame the support the Learning Plus team provides in reading groups across all grades. The RTI model supports students with their learning in small groups within the classroom setting, small withdrawal groups and, most importantly, it supports classroom teachers to differentiate their instruction based on learner needs. Our support staff who used to only use the withdrawal model of groups to support learning, now work alongside the teachers in a classroom setting to take small groups both in and outside of the classroom. They also work with class teachers to assist them with programming support and in class instruction. I encourage you to talk to your teacher about this next week and to allow them to unpack this further with you.
Victoria Roberts is currently working towards establishing Extension Literacy Groups that will run in Term 2. Our conversations will turn to Extension Mathematics groups as we progress into next term. In the meantime, please be assured that your students are always being challenged and extended through open ended tasks and inquiry investigations that require higher order thinking skills.
I look forward to crossing paths with many parents next week as you enter the campus for your meetings, please drop in and say hello and email me directly if you would like a conversation with me.
Community Engagement
Last Friday Mrs Amy Richardson, Head of Junior Music, provided our Prep parents with a wonderful introduction and overview to all things Music in the Prep School. Head of Music K-12 Mr Darren Kuilenburg also spoke to our parents as did Nadine from the Friends of Music Group. If you missed the session and would like to hear it, please click here.
Any additional questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to email the Head of Junior Music, Mrs Amy Richardson.
Easter Hat Parade
This year the Prep School is not having an Easter Hat Parade. The decision was made based on the fact that we are already asking our students to participate in International Day by wearing clothes that reflect a country that they either come from or connect with in Week 10. Some teachers may make hats in their classrooms but there will not be a parade.
Clubs Weeks 9 and 10
Please note that due to Learning Conversations, there will be no Clubs next week except for Science Club. Science Club will run as per normal and pick up will be in the playground. There will be no Clubs in Week 10 either.
Prep Clubs are scheduled to begin in Week 2 of Term 2 for children in Yrs 1 and 2. Students who would like to attend are able to choose from a variety of options, running on Wednesdays from 3.00-3.45pm. If you would like your child to take part in Term 2, for which there is no additional cost (excluding the Science Club), please refer to the letter being emailed to families on Monday. Bookings can be made using the Trybooking system for internal Clubs and a booking link for Young Investigators Science Club, with all Club registrations opening simultaneously. Children are required to choose one club only for Term 2, beginning on Wednesday 28 April (Week 2) and finishing on Wednesday 9 June (Week 8). Please note that the after Clubs car line will run between 3.45-4.00pm and that the Science Club will run from 3.00-4.00pm with pick up from the playground.
For more information about the Young Investigators Science Club please click here.
Uniform
A reminder that students will be required to wear full winter uniform from the beginning of Term 2. Parents are now welcome to visit the Uniform Shop to purchase winter items or place an online order through Flexischools.
The Uniform Shop will be open on the following days during the holiday break: Wednesday 7 April, Thursday 15 April, Friday 16 April and Monday 19 April from 8.00am-4.00pm. Appointments can be made by clicking here.
From the Lucy Hill Library
We know many families have embarked on the reading pleasure afforded by the Premier’s Reading Challenge. It certainly is a wonderful literary opportunity to be part of.
It is now open online for you to record what you are reading. We have affixed a label to your child’s Student Planner with their username and password so that you can log on.
The Library staff are continuing to supply ten books to parents through the ‘library bag in the foyer’ routine so please email the Library if you want some PRC books in this way.
This Week in the Preparatory School
Mrs Ainslie Breckenridge
Head of Preparatory School
abreckenridge@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9848