NAPLAN 

We have just about completed NAPLAN for 2025! Students in Year 3 and Year 5 are commended and congratulated for their focus, concentration and engagement. We would also like to thank the teachers in Years 3 & 5 as well as Mrs Milgate and the Learning Support Team for their assistance in ensuring the process was smooth. Here are two Year 3 student reflections on NAPLAN: 

I was feeling nervous at the start, but after I did it, it was fun! Eddie 

Whenever I was stuck, I stopped, I did some working out on my sheet and then got the answer. Isla 

It is important to remember that these tests only give us a snapshot of where the students are on their learning journey. Teachers analyse the results to assist students to continue to grow in their skills and understanding of the curriculum. This is only one tool teachers use to measure progress. Students are also regularly assessed within the classroom activities. The data collected regularly by staff enables the teachers to help develop your child and target their individual needs, through appropriate planning and curriculum delivery, to improve the learning outcomes for each child.  

If you have any concerns about your child’s progress, appointments to discuss the issue with your child’s teacher can be made through the school office. Official interviews with families will be conducted in Term 2. 

Neurodiversity Celebration Week 

Last Monday, the Student Council led the school community in a presentation about the importance of Neurodiversity Celebration Week. They shared that Neurodiversity Celebration Week is about celebrating the strengths and talents of people who think and learn differently. ​It is also about recognising hard work and determination. ​Neurodiversity Celebration Week is one way of reminding everyone of the importance of being kind and accepting of everyone.  

On the blackboard under the COLA, students had the opportunity to respond to, “What is special about being neurodiverse?’. It was great to see the following points being noted by students in our school; 

• You have a better imagination! 

• Equality is right 

• Everyone should be treated the same 

• You think uniquely and different to others 

• You make the world brighter 

• You think outside the box! 

In the Staffroom, staff also reflected on Neurodiversity Celebration Week by engaging with a clip about how a child with ADHD can experience sensory overload in a shopping centre. For many, this clip provoked conversation about how classrooms can be a sensory overload and what can be done to minimise this experience for students. 

 Positive Behaviour 4 Learning (PB4L) 

Our final PB4L focus for Term 1 is ‘Do Your Best focus – Learn and let others learn!’. 

At St Joseph’s we highly value learning and we are focused on our own desire to be active learners. We do this by fostering a great love of learning and mastering new skills. PB4L lessons over this coming fortnight will outline ways each student can make an effort to be a creative learner. Lessons will also focus on the importance of how our behaviours impact the learning of others in the classroom too.  

In the classroom we are highlighting the importance of respecting others’ right to learn by working quietly (when required to), listening, staying focused, asking for assistance and challenging ourselves. We aim to complete our learning tasks with quality and attention to detail. When working collaboratively we are learning to be great listeners, to take turns and ensure we actively contribute. This means that we respect different points of view and we are inclusive of all members in our group.   

If you have an opportunity, please discuss these concepts with your children.   

Student Council 

The Student Council met on Thursday to hold their fortnightly meeting. Year 6 leaders facilitated the meeting. Students were congratulated for their presentation for Neurodiversity Celebration Week. Other suggestions that came from the meeting that will be taken to the school leadership team were; 

• Change the school bell music to 'Dance Monkey' by Tones and I

• Suggestions for different options in the canteen 

• Repairs to the basketball hoops in the Quad 

The Student Council continues to be an active presence in our school community. 

Renata Rozenfeld
Assistant Principal