Principals Message
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK
On Wednesday we celebrated the special role Catholic schools have in the education of our children. We will continue to showcase our unique role later this term with a mini conert and open class rooms in Week 9. Some of our leaders will be joining other Diocesan schools in a celebration next week as well.
We celebrate being fully alive and the link below will take you to to a special message form the Director of Schools and Gr Greg Barke, the Diocesan Administrator.
https://youtu.be/IPq3WkPNgFc
SORRY DAY
Thursday 26 May is recognised as "Sorry Day" which is the beginning of Reconciliation Week. It is a time when we acknowledge the hurt our First Nations people have endured during the years since the European colonisation of our country.
Check out the art work that the children have produced to acknowledge the importance of the day.
MINI DANCE CONCERT
The children have been working with Miss Gallagher to develop a dance concert to put on for parents and friends. On Thursday 23 June you are all invited to come along and be entertained by them as part of "Catholic Schools Week". The min-concert will be followed up with some in class activities in your child's class. We hope you can make it.
HAPPY CAMPERS
Our year 5/6 children are currently away on camp enjoying the days testing their skills and personal limits. It is a great opportunity to bond with each other and see how they can provide encouragement and support for their peers to extend their limits and comfort zones.
The children will return on Friday at around 2:30pm. Parents can pick them up from the Sandgate Rd entrance.
TEACHER INDUSTRIAL ACTION
A reminder that the staff will be involved in industrial action tomorrow and there will be no classes. As the availability for supervison will be very minimal, parents are advised to seek an alternative to sending their children to school.
NEWCASTLE PERMANENT MATHEMATICS COMPETITION
On Friday 29 July 2022 all students inYear 5 and 6 will take part in the 2022 Newcastle Permanent Primary School Mathematics Competition.
On Friday 29 July 2022 all students in Year 5 and 6 will take pat in the 2022 Newcastle Permanent Primary School Mathematics Competition.
There is no cost to enter the competition and students will complete the online test at school. Students will have 45 minutes to complete the test.
All students do the same test, however, results are processed and reported in two divisions: Year 5 and Year 6.
Results and certificates will be awarded to high achieving students. The Newcastle Permanent Primary School Mathematics Competition is completed without a ruler or calculator.
More information and practice papers can be found here. https://www.newcastlepermanent.com.au/community/primary-maths-competition
Please contact Mrs York for further information.
NAPLAN
NAPLAN Update
Over the past fortnight our students in Year 3 and Year 5 have successfully participated in NAPLAN testing. NAPLAN is a national literacy and numeracy assessment that students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit in May each year. It is the only national assessment all Australian students do.
What does NAPLAN assess?
NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through their regular school curriculum. Students sit assessments in writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.
How is my child’s performance reported?
Individual student performance is shown on a national achievement scale for each assessment. A result at the national minimum standard indicates that the student has demonstrated the basic literacy and numeracy skills needed to participate fully in that year level.
A NAPLAN individual student report will be provided to parents and the school later in the year.
How are NAPLAN results used?
- Students and parents/carers may use individual results to discuss progress with teachers.
- Teachers use results to help identify students who need greater challenges or extra support.
- Schools use results to identify strengths and areas of need to improve teaching programs.
A MESSAGE FROM THE GIFTED EDUCATION MENTOR
Gifted Awareness Week
May 21st to 29th is Gifted Awareness week, which aims to raise awareness of the identification, support, and learning needs of gifted children. This year's theme is “like minds” and focuses on the importance of connecting like-minded learners on their learning journey.
Gifted Education Lead School Program
In 2022 Our Lady of Victories began the 3 year process of becoming a Gifted Education Lead School (GEL school). We have been achieving a range of goals in the first year of the program including;
- Appointing a Gifted Education Mentor (GEM) – Mrs York
- Professional development for all OLV staff and GEM
- Establishment of a Gifted Education Committee
- Implementing CoGat testing of whole school
- Analysing results and forming a plan for Gifted Education
Formation of OLV Gifted Education Committee
This term our staff formed a Gifted Education Committee. Staff met to discuss the identification of Gifted and Talented Learners. The team formed a plan to identify, target and implement programs in all classrooms. There will exciting initiatives and opportunities offered at Our Lady of Victories.
Identifying Gifted Students using Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAt Test)
All students at Our Lady of Victories in grades 1- 6 are currently being tested using the CogAt test. We will complete testing by the end of Week 7 and spend time analysing the data as a staff. Students in Kindergarten will be tested in Term 4. We will continue to implement the CogAt test with all new students, including new Kindergarten enrolments each year at OLV.
What is the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)
It is an extensive multiple-choice K-6 assessment that measures learned reasoning and problem-solving skills in three different areas: verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal.
CogAt Data and Identifying Gifted Students
The test uses age norms to calculate scores and compare students of the same age. Stanine scores range from a low of 1 to a high of 9. A higher stanine equates with a higher level of cognitive abilities development.
Teachers will use CogAt data, together with other identification tools to understand students and cater for extension learning needs in the classroom.
ICAS ASSESSMENTS
As part of supporting Gifted Education opportunities at Our Lady of Victories we will be participating in the world-renowned ICAS competitions later this year.
What is ICAS?
The International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) is an online academic competition organised by the University of NSW.
Tests will be held online and completed at school in between 8 August and 2 September.
Tests are available for students in Years 2 through to Year 6 in the specific subject areas of;
English, Writing, Mathematics, Science, Spelling Bee and Digital Technologies.
Sitting an ICAS test is optional and recommended for capable or gifted students.
ICAS Results and Rankings
Each assessment celebrates students’ accomplishments by providing opportunities for recognition. Every student who participates will receive a printed certificate and an online results report. Top performers will be eligible for medals. The UNSW will provide students who sit ICAS with an overview of their results.
How to participate?
- Read about ICASsubject here https://www.icasassessments.com/products-icas
- Visit the ICAS Parent Payment System Parent Portal to select tests to complete.
https://shop.icasassessments.com/pages/pps
Your school access code is: GCQ920
- Make the online payment of $19 per test paid directly to the University of NSW.