PRINCIPAL - Donna O'Keeffe
Term 1 has flown by; it is hard to believe this is the last newsletter for the term. Over the past two weeks our Year 3 and 5 students have completed the NAPLAN assessments. I am very proud of how our students gave their best efforts with each assessment. Thank you to Mr Jones for coordinating NAPLAN preparations, as well as our Year 3 and 5 teachers and staff involved in NAPLAN, with administration and supporting our students.
I would like to say thank you to our P&C for their work in preparing for Movie Night, even though it was washed out. We are very pleased we can still hold this great family evening on Friday 9 May 2025. Gates will open at 4:30pm, for getting setup or buying dinner from a food van. The movie will start at 6:00pm.
I am happy to welcome Kelly Shoecraft as the new president of Tingalpa State School P&C and thank all the executive members and volunteers for their dedication in supporting P&C work at our school.
I hope you all have a restful break over the upcoming holidays and enjoy time with your family and friends. I have listed a few useful websites with free or affordable holiday activities for children and families.
Brisbane City Council – School Holiday Events
https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/things-to-see-and-do/whats-on-and-events/school-holiday-events
Brisbane Kids
https://www.brisbanekids.com.au/school-holiday-activities-qld/
Your Local Families Home Magazine
https://www.familiesmagazine.com.au/school-holiday-activities-brisbane/
Visit Brisbane
http://www.visitbrisbane.com.au/school-holiday?sc_lang=en-au
School Improvement Agenda for 2025 will continue to focus on improving student outcomes:
- Pedagogical Practices in mathematics
- Whole-School Approach to Inclusion
Mathematical modelling
In Professional Learning Teams, our classroom teachers have been developing Term Two student tasks for mathematical modelling, a new aspect of the Australian Curriculum Version 9 Mathematics subject. Mathematical modelling refers to the process of applying mathematics to real-world problems in order to understand and solve them. Mathematical modelling encourages students to develop problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and an understanding of how mathematics connects to the world around them.
When using mathematical modelling to solve problems, students make assumptions, recognise, connect and apply mathematical structures. The modelling process utilises mathematics to formulate, analyse, solve, interpret, generalise and communicate their results in response to a real-world situation. Mathematical modelling is an essential dimension of the contemporary discipline of mathematics, providing mathematical problem-solving skills necessary for the development, analysis, and optimization of AI and other workplace systems and is key to informed and participating citizenship.
In the Australian Curriculum, mathematical modelling is emphasised through various content descriptions and achievement standards across different year levels. The curriculum guides teachers on how to scaffold students' learning in mathematics, progressively building their ability to model real-world situations.
Mathematical modelling in the Australian Curriculum:
- Number and Algebra: Students apply mathematical operations (such as addition and multiplication) to model everyday situations, such as budgeting, shopping, or understanding patterns in nature.
- Measurement and Geometry: In this area, students model the physical world by measuring and calculating dimensions such as length, area, or volume. They might measure objects in the classroom or estimate the length of a track using rulers and then apply those measurements in various modelling tasks.
- Statistics and Probability: Students use data to model situations and make predictions. They might collect data, represent it in tables or graphs, and analyse it to draw conclusions. This helps them understand how probability works in real life, such as predicting weather patterns or estimating how many students in a class like different types of food.
- Problem-Solving Strategies: The curriculum encourages students to apply strategies to solve problems using mathematical modelling, such as drawing diagrams, organising data, or using trial and error.
Mathematical modelling in primary school provides students with the tools and experiences to connect mathematics with their everyday lives. Through this process, students build foundational skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, and quantitative reasoning, preparing them for more complex mathematical concepts in later years.
Teaching and Learning
Starting this week, year level and specialist teachers have a moderation session with the Leadership Team to moderate Term 1 assessment. Our moderation process aligns curriculum, pedagogy, assessment and reporting. Each year level moderation provides consistency of delivery of the curriculum and assessment and A-E achievement. Moderation is also an opportunity for teachers and leadership to celebrate the success of student learning and to reflect on our teaching practices.
Cross Country
Thank you to Mrs Ittensohn for the Cross Country organisation and staff for their work at the Junior and Senior Cross Country events on Monday, the students put in great effort to earn points for their team. It was also wonderful to see so many parents, grandparents and family members come to watch.
Parent Teacher Interviews
Date: Tuesday 1 April
Time: 3:15 and 8:00pm
Venue: Hall and hall foyer
Parent/Teacher interviews provide a great opportunity to get to know your child’s teacher and to hear important updates on academic and social/emotional development. It also demonstrates to our students the important partnership parents and teachers share in the education of children. If you were unable to book an interview, please contact your class teacher for alternate arrangements.
School Assembly – Student Awards
There is no assembly in Week 10 due to Parent/Teacher Interviews.
Harmony Day and Crazy Sock Day
I was amazed at the range of socks worn to school last Friday. Thank you to everyone for recognising Harmony Day and Down Syndrome Day, and supporting the fundraising for the Year 6 Graduation.
Easter Hat Parade
Our Easter Hat Parade is for students in Prep and Year 1. Students will be making their hats in class with their teachers. Student then get to show their creations at the parade and perform a special song.
Date: Friday 4 April 2024
Venue: School Hall
Time: 2:00pm
Summer may be over, but mozzies are still biting. Due to the recent flooding that followed ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, the risk of exposure to mosquito-borne diseases has increased.
Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), a rare but potentially serious illness spread by infected mosquitoes, has been found in mosquitoes in Hemmant, Brisbane for the first time ever. The virus has also been detected in other parts of the state.
No matter where you live in Queensland, the best way to prevent mosquito-borne diseases (like JEV) is to avoid getting bitten by mozzies.
This is how you can protect yourself:
- Wear loose-fitted, light-coloured clothing and covered footwear when outdoors
- Apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus to exposed skin and reapply as per manufacturer’s instructions
- Use mosquito coils (outdoors) and insecticide vaporisers (indoors)
- Remove standing water on your property, wherever possible, to stop mosquitoes breeding.
Wishing you a safe and happy holidays,
Donna
