Welcome back to another term of learning and community building with Team Trinity. Although the break was not what we expected I hope that you had some time to rest and rejuvenate.

Reflections for the week

On Monday we gathered for our Staff Spirituality Day, this day was an opportunity to retreat from our everyday tasks and build our relationship with God. The day was led by Donna Wade with gentleness, sincerity, and much fore thought. With the help of scripture, clay, water colours, and a gentle prayer walk, we were each able to take time to strengthen our relationship with God.  Thankyou Donna for the thought and preparation into such an important day.

I had the pleasure of teaching all students yesterday during our NAIDOC rotations. We were lucky enough to receive a gift from St Francis Xavier Catholic School in Lake Cargelligo and I wanted the students to have some understanding of the family who made the beautiful  clapping sticks for us. One group suggested that saying thankyou would be a lovely way of showing gratitude, so that is exactly what we did. We rang Lake Cargelligo on Microsoft Teams and spoke to Jayde whose parents had made the clapping sticks for us. The students were delighted to see Jayde and shared their gratitude beautifully.

Focus on learning

Our 2021 strategic plan has four big ideas.

1. Teaching using the Science of Reading.
2. Understanding cognitive load and the impact it has on students learning.
3. Using the three worlds of the text to teach RE.
4. Using high impact teaching strategies to teach.

This week staff continued to learn about teaching using the Science of Reading by participating in an online unit of learning. The rich discussion lead us to the following affirmations-

* the hearing of sounds (without letters), is crucial to the development of students’ reading.

* the manipulation of sounds (without letters) is crucial to the development of students’ reading.

* reading includes the decoding of sounds and comprehending, one without the other results in difficulties.

* the explicit teaching of vocabulary in Years Three to Six is crucial to the development of students’ reading.

Processes, procedures and information

Communication and Covid 19

During these times of restrictions and uncertainty, communication is paramount. TEAM TRINITY need your support in this. We use four forms of communication in the following ways.

Attendance

Catholic Education regularly review their policies and procedures. Most recently the Attendance Policy has been reviewed and updated. The following is a summary of the important points within the policy and changes that will directly impact parents.

Parents/carers must ensure that enrolled students attend every day of school, and every activity or event the school requires the student to attend, during the required times.

Parents/carers must provide an explanation to the school for any absence, ideally on or before the day of absence, and no more than five school days after the absence occurs.

Parents/carers must notify the school of planned absences of up to 25 school days in a 12- month period (including 25 part days) in writing, including the reason for the absence. 

Parents/carers should understand that schools are required to record any absence as an unapproved or unjustified absence, unless they receive and accept a reasonable explanation before the attendance register is finalised.

Principals must respond to all emerging absenteeism, where a child misses 5-10 days of school er term. 

God bless you.

Caz Perryman

Leader of “TEAM TRINITY”