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Newsletter – 18 August 2020

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

Keep up to date with important information for this week.

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  • The Parent Portal and Kuyper App will be the primary vehicle for day-to-day communications between the school and parents in 2023. The School Calendar, weekly news, event advice and other essential functions will only be available in the Parent Portal and Kuyper App. At least one parent/carer from each household where your child resides needs access to the portal or app. If you are not already using the App, or need assistance resetting your user account and password, call 4573 2999 and we will assist you to connect.
  • Nurture Magazine has been sent home to each family via their eldest child. Look for an article by our very own Ruth Thompson on page 20.
  • Lost Property is over-flowing. Please come and check if any of it is yours, as lost property will be discarded or re-sold at the end of the year.
  • Parents are reminded to continue testing for COVID and advise us if there is COVID in their household. If concerned, we encourage students to wear a mask at school for their own and others’ protection. In line with NSW Health recommendations, we also ask that close contacts wear a mask indoors and on public transport (including the Kuyper bus) and test regularly. We still have a good supply of RAHT kits. Contact the Office if you would like some sent home.
  • Reminder to parents to ensure that all fees are paid by the end of year. Contact the Office if you have any concerns.
  • Families who rely on the Busways service need to know that there have been some changes to the timetables until the end of term. Use the buttons below to access the temporary timetables for Term 4.
Busways Route 680 – AM
Busways Route 5060 – AM
Busways Route 5572 – PM

Prayer & Praise

Please join us in bringing our community before our great God.

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  • Praise God that he continues in his sovereignty through all circumstances. Praise him that he is “the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God” (1 Timothy 1:17), and that he loves us.
  • Give thanks for holidays, breaks and changes in rhythm. Pray for connection, peace and safety for all our families during these school holidays. Pray for connection and community to grow for all at Kuyper Christian School, particularly at Limelight!
  • Pray for school families and staff families who are coping with illness and accident: Faithfull, Hill, Eastlake, Armstrong, Gubbins, Huxley, Daly. Pray for good rest, connection and healing for all our families, staff and students.
  • 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).
  • Give thanks for our Board and Executive team as they interview potential new staff members. Pray for one-ness of purpose for our staff, Board, Executive team, and Association as they plan, prepare and budget for 2023. Praise the Lord for His provision to us all the time.

News & Notices

Operation Christmas Child

We are sure that you have all heard about Operation Christmas Child. If you would like to fill a shoebox, email the Office. We are glad to be involved again this year.

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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/

Kuyper Canteen Open for a Limited Time!

The annual Kuyper Canteen is back! Make your selection by Monday 5 September to enjoy a delicious fresh lunch, prepared by our Elective Food Technology class.

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There is still time to order your fresh lunch from the Kuyper Canteen. Our Elective Food Technology class are preparing three options that students can pre-order. All meals will be prepared in the School Kitchen using safe, sanitary and hygienic work practises, and will be individually packed and delivered to classrooms on Monday 19 September, at lunchtime.

You can still place your order by Friday 9 September. Last chance!

On the menu for $6 each:

Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta
Delicious homemade basil pesto tossed through penne pasta and served with parmesan and fresh tomatoes.

Vietnamese Chicken Rice Paper Rolls (GF option available)
Nutritious rice roll of chicken, lettuce, carrot and noodles, with a hint of mint and served with hoisin dipping sauce.

Mediterranean Chicken Wrap (Vegetarian option available)
Mouthwatering wrap of chicken, cucumber, tomato, spinach and feta, with lemon, garlic tahini and hommus.

Order my Delicious Fresh Lunch now


Homework Insights #7

Engaging with homework can be stressful for parents. Bill Rusin continues to give us some tips, and answer some questions, about homework and assignments.

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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 continue to contribute to this worthy cause.

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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.

In This Issue

Calendar

November 2022

  • Wed 30: 5 – 6 Swim School, 11am, Richmond
  • Wed 30: 3 – 4 Swim School, 12pm, Richmond
  • Wed 30: K – 2 Swim School, 1pm, Richmond
  • Wed 30: Year 6 Graduation Dinner, 5:30pm

December 2022

  • Thurs 1: Year 8 Japanese Tanken Centre Excursion
  • Thurs 1: Year 6 Fun Day (for everyone!)
  • Friday 2: Kuyper Concert Band Rehearsal, 8am, Hall
  • Friday 2: Selected Secondary students, Positive Paws Program
  • Friday 2: Year 9 Swimming Program, Richmond
  • Friday 2: Parent Connect, 6:45pm, Library for dessert and prayer. All welcome!
  • Tues 6: Limelight! from 5pm
  • Wed 7: Year 6 Big Day Out!
  • Thurs 8: Parent Connect, 2pm, Hall, prior to the Assembly. All welcome!
  • Thurs 8: Celebration Assembly, 2:30pm, Hall.
  • Thurs 8: Last Day Term 4

January 2023

  • Mon 23: Curriculum Week begins (staff only)
  • Mon 30: First Day Term 1 for Years 1 – 12
  • Tues 31: First Day Term 1 for Prep & Kindy
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