Principal’s News
How do you show what you know? Teachers are strongly aware that each of their students has a preferred learning style – and one size definitely does not fit all. Good teaching has to appeal to all the senses – visual, auditory and tactile elements are all part of the equation. Equally direct teacher instruction is crucial to establish a baseline of shared knowledge and understanding of key skills and concepts. Time should also be devoted to enquiry-based learning where students have the chance to refine their understanding and application of techniques through games and other ‘hands on’ actvities and action research. Eventually the time comes when teachers need students to show what they know – but is it good enough just to give them a pen and paper test? The answer is a resounding ‘NO!’. Some children may not be great readers and yet if given the chance to talk through what they have learned will show a surprising level of knowledge, skill and insight into the topic being assessed. Others will be more at home representing what they have learned in visual form. Still others might feel most comfortable preparing a powerpoint presentation or using concrete materials of some kind to show what they know and what they have understood from the teaching and learning activities they have undertaken. The lesson here is a relatively simple one. While standardised tests such as ‘I can do Maths’ or the South Australian Spelling test or even NAPLAN provide very specific and useful data both for teachers and parents, they need to be interpreted contextually. Any and all assessment activities are but a snapshot at a point in time. The whole picture of student achievement can be most accurately shown by comparing performance on a range of tasks over time.
Change is always challenging and currently we are planning for some very significant changes ahead in 2012. Opening a new building, completing the long-awaited playfield, adding new classes in many different Year groups and of course staffing changes to support the growth. In addition over the past six months the School Council, Executive Team and staff have been discussing and planning for the addition of a fourth House team and a change in names that more closely reflects the Australian heart of our growing international school. While change is challenging and at times can be unsettling, it is also exciting and in all of these issues change reflects the growing reputation and success of Avondale Grammar School.
Preschool Takes a step Up….
This week on Wednesday morning Students from Ruby and Sapphire spent some thoroughly enjoyable time in the Prep classrooms having a little taste of what it will be like to take that step up in 2012. Meanwhile the current Prep students had a marvellous time enjoying some reminiscing and drama activities with the Preschool teaching team. It seems that everyone had a fantastic time and there were many animated conversations around the dinner table that night.
Super Cambodia – Avondale’s superheroes do a super job for Temple Garden Foundation!
On Thursday thanks to the Avondale family’s collective generosity the super sum of $1590 was raised from the bring and buy sale. The super heroes theme was entered into by one and all with a marvellous range of characters being represented and some obvious hard work done by children and parents to create some great original outfits. Thanks everyone for getting into the spirit and particular thanks to the indefatiguable Ms Collins and the SRC for their enthusiasm and commitment in organising this great finale to an outstanding year of Social Service to others far less fortunate.
Exapnsion 2012
1. How will security be handled?
Sign in and sign out facilities with a security guard in attendance will be available at both the Early Learning and Primary Centres. We are currently negotiating with LHN around the issue of pool style security fencing for the perimeter of the Primary Centre. There will be telephone and intercom communications between the two buildings to assist not only with regular information exchange but also in case of emergencies of any kind. As always the safety of students will continue to be our Number One priority.
2. How will the cohesiveness of the Avondale school family be maintained?
Events such as Year 3 to 6 and Prep to Year 6 assemblies will continue to occur in the Multi-Purpose Hall. Space will be at a premium, but as has previously been the case parents will be welcome to attend. The Treasure Keepers program will continue to be an active element of the School’s pastoral care program and the Years 5 and 6 School leaders will, as they do now, travel to the Early Learning Centre to run games and activities with Prep to Year 2 classes based around each core value. The SRC will contine to meet and may well alternate in venue between the Early Learning and Primary Centres. Staff will attend staff meetings and other less formal social gatherings in both buildings in order to ensure that a strong sense of a united and cohesive community is maintained.
