A Word from Lyndal Mitchell
Head of Primary, Curriculum & P – 12 Diversability
LNAP stands for Literacy and Numeracy Action Plan. LNAP is a four-year Government funded project designed to raise student achievement in literacy and numeracy, with a particular emphasis on K-2 teachers and students. The Action Plan has involved 38 independent schools, 130 leaders, 230 K-2 teachers and 6354 K-2 students. We have recently been informed that this phase of the plan will be extended for a fifth year in order to compensate for COVID-19 interruptions.
LNAP is part of the Federal Government’s response to Australia’s falling literacy and numeracy standards on the international ranking tables (PISA). The Australian Government has recognised the overwhelming volume of research showing that, if you want to raise the literacy and numeracy standards of a country, the first 3 years of schooling are the ones you need to target. As a result, there have been ongoing, widespread changes and improvements in Australian schools across all 3 sectors: Public, Independent and Catholic. LNAP has been designed and implemented through AISNSW (The Association of Independent Schools in NSW) to provide thorough, comprehensive and sustainable strategies for school improvement in independent schools. When we chose to sign up for the Action Plan at the end of 2016, we had no idea just how big the journey would be. But the improved results from our students have made it all worthwhile.
The key imperative of the LNAP initiative is to increase the amount of time spent on “Explicit Direct Instruction” of literacy and numeracy skills in the classroom. This may not sound like a big change, but as it incorporates the content, design and delivery of lesson material, there is almost no aspect of literacy and numeracy teaching that is unaffected. It is, in fact, a significant shift in the way that teachers are approaching and delivering their most important curriculum content. Hence the need for a significant investment of time, resources, training, coaching, monitoring and feedback.
Day to day, LNAP involves an Instructional Leader (at Kuyper, this is me) doing classroom observations of (mostly) K-2 and (some) 3-6 Literacy and Numeracy lessons, then meeting with teachers to provide feedback and coaching, and to assist with planning and programming. Student progress in fundamental literacy and numeracy skills is monitored via “screeners” which are implemented three times per year for every student in K-2. As of this year, there are optional thrice-yearly numeracy screeners for Years 3-6 as well, and these have proven to be very informative. The data obtained from screeners is analysed and used to inform the planning, pacing, revision and delivery of lesson content for the days, weeks and months that follow. The data gives us a clear and detailed picture of exactly what every child has mastered, and what they still need to learn.
Consultants from the AIS visit the school several times each term to deliver demonstration lessons, conduct formal lesson observations, meet with teachers for coaching and feedback, and present professional learning modules to all K-6 teaching staff. An important part of the consultants’ job has been to gradually make themselves redundant, by passing on their knowledge and expertise in such a way that at the end of the Action Plan, the work that’s been done will be sustained for the long term, having been embedded in our teaching culture, programs and practices. Although the interruptions due to COVID19 have been significant this year, the AIS have continued to provide support and training in alternative formats.
Principals and Instructional Leaders have had the privilege of attending several “Masterclasses” during each year of the LNAP program. These Masterclasses have included input from some of the most highly regarded experts in the fields of literacy and numeracy learning. Keynote addresses have covered topics such as; cognitive load theory, working memory, the latest neuroscience regarding how we learn, tiered intervention, diagnostic assessment, differentiated teaching, change management, and more. There has been valuable input from Principals and Instructional Leaders from schools that participated in Phase 1 of LNAP (2013-2016).
We are grateful to our generous God for the many ways that His gifts come to us. We recognise and praise Him as the supplier of all our needs and the source of all good things. Our participation in LNAP has been yet another example of His lovingkindness to our school community.
Reminders
- Staff at Kuyper Christian School will not be striking on Thursday. It will be business as usual. Don’t forget, it will also be non-uniform day, raising money for CBM!
- We would still like some help with morning tea on Friday 1 July for the 40 Year Celebration Service. Please email admin@kuyper.nsw.edu.au if you can assist.
- We have oodles of lost property here in the Office. Unclaimed lost property will be discarded or re-sold as secondhand uniform at the end of term.
- Reminder about masks in school, from the NSW Government Website: Masks continue to be mandatory on public transport. This applies to students aged 12 years and older, and staff when travelling to and from school and during school excursions by public transport or by chartered transport services. In line with the latest advice from NSW Health, masks are recommended for students and staff who have recovered from COVID-19, completed their 7-day isolation period and are no longer showing symptoms for an additional 3 days (from days 8 – 10 after receiving a positive COVID-19 result). Additionally, mask wearing is mandatory for staff and high school students returning to school as close contacts for 5 school days and recommended for primary school students returning to school as close contacts for 5 school days.
- Families are reminded to ensure that at least half of your school fees for the year are paid by the end of June. If you need to discuss this, please contact Tina in the Office Monday – Thursday.
- Reminder to all parents, not to use the Bus Bay to drop off or pick up your children as it hinders bus movements and is unsafe.
- Eczema Support Australia has recently released a new video series with Dr Justin Coulson on Practical Parenting for Eczema Families. The video resource provides an insight into the daily challenges faced by families with eczema. It also provides strategies to help develop positive coping mechanisms and reduce feelings of isolation for the family unit. Please use this link to view the video series.
Prayer & Praise
- Praise God that he continues in his sovereignty through all circumstances. Praise God for His grace towards us through Jesus Christ. He is worthy of all of our love and devotion. Worship and thank Him for His sacrifice that rescued us from death.
- Give thanks for our staff. Pray that the Lord would restore us all to full health and strength over the holidays.
- Give thanks for all our students and their families. Pray for the ministry of the Holy Spirit through those who know Him, to lead us in prayer, words and deeds to encourage and exhort each other and find our health, peace and direction in the Lord. Pray for protection over the hearts and minds of our children and young people.
- Pray for the Aoun family, whose father Joseph is unwell in hospital. Pray for the Allen family, whose father Geoff is also unwell. Pray for the Thompson family, struggling to fully recover from COVID. Pray for the Vincenti family, for a way forward with Kyden’s injury.
- Pray for our 40 year celebrations; that we would be truly thankful and joyful for what God has provided and achieved for us and through us. Pray that we would continue in the spirit we began with in 1982.
- Give thanks for our Kuyper families. Pray for all students and carers as they receive their academic reports this week. Pray for staff as they complete them.
- Give thanks for our Government and those in authority. Pray that they would be led in wisdom and truth to lead our country for the future good of all. Pray that “every person be subject to the governing authorities.” Give thanks that our government has been “instituted by God” (Romans 13:1).
- Praise God for the faithful Pioneers of Kuyper Christian School. Give thanks for those who have continued to nurture and grow those beginnings. Give thanks for Abraham Kuyper, his vision and his teachings. Give thanks that our foundations are in Christ, who is the source of all Truth. Give thanks that we are in partnership with each other – staff, parents and carers – as we serve the Lord by nurturing children in the knowledge and love of Him. Thank Him for each individual who makes up the Kuyper Community and lead us to value the whole person, so that each one may be encouraged in their relationship with God. Thank God for the students he has entrusted to our care, made in His image, to glorify Him. Worship Him because He is holy. Thank Him for His love and faithfulness towards His creation. Praise Him as Creator God, from whom we inherit our creativity. Give abundant thanks for his mercy and grace, without which we would be lost indeed. Give thanks also for His justice, that will not fail, and His forgiveness which is freely extended to all who would accept it. Give thanks for our God and his omnipotence; his power and influence is unlimited! Give thanks for our God and his omniscience; his universal understanding and complete knowledge. Give thanks for our God and his omnipresence; he is present everywhere at the same time. Worship the Trinity; Father, Son & Holy Spirit.
- Give thanks for our Board and Executive teams. Pray for one-ness of purpose for our staff, Board, Executive team, and Association.
News & Notices
Operation Christmas Child
We are sure that you have all heard about Operation Christmas Child and the wonderful work they do in communities around the world. This year, Kuyper Christian School will again be participating, albeit a little differently from last year.
If you would like to fill a shoebox to bless a child overseas, email the Office to request a box (or two). We will send them home with your child. Please fill and return your boxes to the Office by Wednesday 10 November 2021. Some instructions and ideas can be found by following this link: https://samaritanspurse.org.au/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/pack-a-shoebox/
Place Your Order at the Kuyper Canteen
As part of their studies, our Elective Food Technology class will be holding the annual Kuyper Canteen at lunch time on Tuesday 8 September. They will be preparing two options that students can pre-order. All meals will be prepared in the School Kitchen using safe, sanitised and hygienic work practises, and will be individually packed and delivered to classrooms. Download the order form below.
On the menu, there will be:
World’s Best Sausage Roll
From the Kuyper Canteen you can order your serve of the finest sausage rolls this side of the River. Carefully prepared beef mince is wrapped in crispy golden pastry, oven-baked and served with your choice of tomato or BBQ sauce. The mince contains a delicate blend of onion, carrot and zucchini. Gluten and dairy-free options are available. These delicious sausage rolls are only $3.00 each.
Taco Bowl
Imagine you want a taco bowl… Now stop imagining because it’s reality, the Kuyper Canteen is offering their amazing taco bowls, filled with delicious chicken, topped with creamy avocado, salsa and sour cream. For vegetarians, a tofu option is also available. Take advantage of this unmissable opportunity at only $5.00 per bowl.
Homework Insights #7
Structure, by Bill Rusin
It is important that children have structure in their learning habits at home. Using a calendar or record book that is in a prominent position to record assignments and due dates helps keep track of the work for both children and their parents. Some steps that will help complete assignments might include:
- Selecting a topic
- Planning research and suggesting places where books and other materials might be found
- Figuring out what questions need to be answered
- Drafting an outline
- Planning a rough draft of the assignment
- Revising and completing the final draft
Planning how much time needs to be spent on each part is also a useful thing to do.
Return & Earn for Vanuatu
Our Return & Earn fundraising for Vanuatu continues. Please deposit your aluminium cans and plastic bottles in the lime coloured recycling box in the sails area, or place them alongside in a labelled bag. All donations need to be clean, whole (not crushed) and eligible for the 10c recycling refund.