From the Preschool/Elementary School Principal

 

*This week's images were taken from the Preschool Encore+ October adventures, some stunning artwork from Grade 2 and Kindergarten, the Grade 3 students using the Immersive Space to launch their inquiry unit into weather and members of the Veg Growers Club enjoying the beautiful weather to plant bulbs around the school during our first Cultivating Community event.

Quarter 1 Progress Reports

Beginning this afternoon (Friday, October 24), parents and carers will be able to access the Quarter 1 Progress Reports for students in Kindergarten through Grade 5 via PowerSchool.

These reports provide an overview of each child’s learning progress during the first quarter of the school year. They are one of several ways we communicate with families about student growth, achievements, effort and engagement. Additional progress reports will be shared in January and March, with a final report issued in June.

Our goal is to keep families informed not only about academic progress, but also about the interests, curiosities, and personal triumphs that shape each child’s learning journey. Through the reports and, of course, formal and informal parent/carer conferences, we strive to provide pertinent information about particular triumphs and sources of interest and curiosity for your child, as well as specific areas in need of improvement, the degree of progress/development being made in identified areas, and/or strategies for improvement that can be made by students. An Explanatory Guide for the Quarter 1 Progress Report is available here.

As you review the report with your child, we encourage you to treat it as an opportunity for conversation rather than evaluation. The progress reports should not be interpreted as a measure of a child’s fixed ability, but rather as indicators of recent learning and development which point toward the next steps that have the best chance to inspire and support future learning. Research has shown that an overemphasis on grades can serve to diminish children’s interest in what they are learning, can nudge children away from challenges in favour of easier tasks, and can increase levels of anxiety and stress. This is why we deliberately place our emphasis on feedback and conversations with children about their learning rather than grades and class ranking. After all, our aim with assessment and reporting is to help children reflect on their learning and feel motivated to continue improving.

Use Your Head – Hat & Hair Hooray!

Next Friday, students are invited to showcase their creativity during our annual “Use Your Head – Hat & Hair Hooray! Day.” 

Although the date coincides with Halloween (and a few children's designs may have a spooky twist), please note that this is not a Halloween celebration. The focus is on imaginative hats and hairstyles only, not full costumes.

Details were shared at the assembly by Arshaan (Grade 4) earlier today, and teachers will remind students again during the week. We look forward to seeing the children’s inventive creations!

Book Fair

The first Book Fair of the year begins on Wednesday, October 29, and will run through Monday, November 3. Each class from Grade 1 to Grade 5 will have the opportunity to visit during this period with their teachers.

A big thank you to all of our Book Fair volunteers for their time and support. Events like this wouldn’t be possible without you! More information about the Book Fair can be found in this letter from the Library.