Dear families,

It has been a very busy, but exciting time with students participating in our first Campbell Long Lunch event, attending the swimming carnival, and engaging in meaningful lessons within their classrooms.  As we get closer to the end of term, we look forward to celebrating Harmony Day, welcoming the Minister of Education Yvette Berry for a school visit, hosting Learning Journey sessions and conducting parent teacher interviews.

Learning Journey

This term, due to Covid-19 restrictions, Learning Journeys will look at little bit different at Campbell Primary. Opportunities for families to spend time in their child’s class will be staggered across Week 7 as follows:

Learning Journeys provide an exciting opportunity for students to take an active role in showcasing their own learning to families and carers. It allows our school community to celebrate and reflect together on what has been achieved throughout the term.

Please note that Learning Journey is not the appropriate time for an individual interview or in-depth conversation with teachers.  Parent/teacher interviews will be held during Week 8 of this term and provide a shared opportunity to receive feedback and discuss your child’s progress, learning needs and overall well-being. Information on how to schedule your interview will be sent home via email shortly.

We ask families visiting the school for Learning Journeys and interviews to follow social distancing practices by using hand sanitiser on arrival and registering their attendance either manually or by using the Check in CBR app (preferred).

Due to class sizes and current restrictions for indoor spaces we need to limit attendance for Learning Journey sessions to one adult per student.

We are looking forward to sharing your child’s learning with you.

Update on the school modernisation project

Construction work will start in earnest this week as our builders, Lendlease, install some hoarding along the inside of the corridor to the hall. This will allow the builders to demolish the remaining part of the annex, left over from the original two storey senior wing (which was demolished in the summer holidays of 2017/18).  The hoarding work will include framing, sheeting, insulation and painting.  Demolition of the external area will occur out of school hours.

Access to the hall and canteen will remain via the corridor, although it will be narrower than the current space. 

Delivery of site equipment and sheds will also occur over the coming week. 

Pedagogies

Within each newsletter, the Future Focused Committee (Timmy Holness, Alistair Scherer and I) will be providing a snapshot of different approaches to teaching and learning that we use across the school every day and will continue to use once we move into our learning communities. Each pedagogy highlighted over the coming weeks are taken from the ACT Education Directorate’s Enabling Pedagogies resource of evidence-based, high impact strategies for improving student learning and align with the ACT Public School Pedagogical Framework.

Agency and Co-construction snapshot

Agency is defined as being able to make choices and decisions to influence events and to have an impact on one’s world (Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations [DEEWR], 2009). Agency recognises that students can initiate their own learning and have a right to make choices and decisions in matters that affect them.   Co-construction refers to learning that takes place in partnership with educators and other students (DEEWR, 2009).

Student Agency and Co-construction refers to students being the key drivers of their learning. Student agency gives students voice to their learning to set goals, regulate their learning and give feedback to the teacher. Co-construction allows students to co-create their learning and focus on areas of interest that align with their future goals. 

Students actively construct their own understandings and contribute to others’ learning. Educators recognise student’s capacity to initiate and lead learning, make choices and decisions, and influence and impact on their world.

As students become invested in their own learning, they gain a better understanding of what good learning is and the purpose of it. This enables them to evaluate their own work, and to more purposefully discuss progress and achievement with teachers, each of which has a significant effect size on achievement (Hattie, 2009).

Students

• take responsibility for their learning.
• understand the assessment process and is involved in the co-construction of learning goals.
• can assess their learning and track their growth.
• feel empowered in their learning.

Teachers

• explicitly teach students how to write learning goals, plan learning tasks and self-assess.
• regularly collect student feedback about their teaching to reflect on how the students are feeling about the lesson or assessment.
• ask students to review learning outcomes and set goals for their learning.
• include students in co-constructing learning plans.
• make the learning visible to students by co-constructing learning intentions and success criteria.

Paula Kinsman
Principal

Early collection considerations.

If you need to collect your child from school earlier than 3:00pm, where possible, please notify the school with sufficient advance notice either:

• through the SZapp smartphone app,
• emailing the teacher/front office,
• emailing the school (campbellps@ed.act.edu.au), or
• phoning the school (6142 3580).

Thank you for your consideration - by following these processes you are supporting the front office staff.

What a busy and exciting start to 2021 we have had in year 6! The students have been highly engaged and enthusiastic in all areas of learning.

In writing, we are focusing on narratives, with an emphasis on learning about different genres including science fiction, fantasy and mystery. Students have also been developing their ability to describe characters, settings and use effective descriptive language to create mood.

In Mathematics, we have had a strong emphasis on using efficient whole number strategies, particularly for multiplication and division. Students are also working on improving their speed and accuracy with basic fact multiplication using a times table matrix.

Our first inquiry unit for the year is teaching students critical and creative thinking as well as collaboration skills through a hypothetical scenario, involving genetically modified plants that have escaped and are taking over Canberra. The problem solving and quick thinking which we have observed so far has been very impressive. To culminate this unit, students will design and construct traps, warning systems and other items they may need to survive.

Congratulations to our new Year 6 student leaders in running such a successful fundraiser to support Beyond Blue. We raised over $400!  Thanks to all of our community for supporting us in this extremely worthwhile cause.

Tim Holness and Alistair Scherer

Campbell Primary School 2021 Swimming Carnival

On Friday 5 March, Campbell Primary School staff and students made the annual trip to CISAC in Belconnen for the spectacular 2021 Swimming Carnival.

Newly elected house captains were given a chance to shine - decorating their house areas and leading their houses in spirited (and very loud) cheers for competitors in the races.

Students from Kindergarten and Year 1 were the first to try out the smaller pools, waterslide and wet play activities and had a wonderful time enjoying all the facilities on offer. While the juniors took the chance to play, the older students got the racing underway with all students who participated in races to be commended for their efforts – 50m is a long way! Every student who entered races won points for their houses, while those cheering in the stands also accumulated house points for spirit and sportsmanship. Once the junior students had departed it was the Year 2-6’s turn to have some fun with the whirlpool, slide and ever popular noodle race giving an opportunity for all to have a giggle and splash a staff member (or six). The serious races continued throughout with some excellent results in the backstroke, breaststroke and 100m freestyle recorded.

Our swimming carnival would not have been the tremendous success that it was without the help of a lot of very important people. To the team of parent volunteers who were able to assist us on the day with timekeeping, marshalling and a range of other activities, we extend a heartfelt thanks. We would also like to thank the dedicated team from CISAC who helped deliver activities and ensure the safety of everyone in the facility. Our wonderful students need to be acknowledged as well! Their safe and respectful choices were not only noticed but commended by all at CISAC on Friday - well done!

We are so proud of our school community and loved the opportunity to show just how special Campbell Primary is. The winning house will be announced in the coming days, with ribbons for the competitive events to be presented at Yumma in the coming weeks.

We look forward to our next big event, the Campbell Primary Cross Country, in Term 2.

North Gungahlin Swimming Carnival, Monday 29 March 2021

We are pleased to advise that some of our Campbell Primary School students have qualified for the North Gungahlin Swimming Carnival, which will be held in week 9 at Stromlo Leisure Centre.

To be eligible to compete in this carnival, students had to finish first or second on overall time in an event at our carnival and also meet a qualifying time set by School Sport ACT. Unfortunately, this means that we are unable to enter a number of students who finished first and second at the Campbell Primary Swimming Carnival into regional carnival events.

Notes for eligible students will be sent home tomorrow (Friday week 6). Permission, payment and spectator registration must be completed by Thursday 18 March. Please see the permission note for information regarding spectators and COVID protocols.

From the DSM Desk

It was amazing to see so many of our ADF families volunteering as part of the swimming carnival! For our new families this provides an amazing opportunity to network with other parents and meet your child’s new friends. It is also a tremendous help on the day! We look forward to seeing many, many more families at sporting and school community events to come.

As we fly past the halfway point of Term 1, we start to talk about learning journey visits as well as parent teacher interviews. This is a fantastic time for our new families to check in with teachers to ensure that there are no gaps in learning for students after interstate relocation. Defence Community Organisation (DCO) provide an Education Assistance program to help families address education concerns after a Defence required relocation. You can read more about the program, how to apply and eligibility requirements here. For those who may have accessed the tutoring reimbursement before, there have been a few recent changes to the application process. This includes a requirement for additional documentation including a copy of the most recent report card from the previous school as well as a report OR letter supporting the application from the new school. As reports are not due until mid-year, please either contact myself on Karyn.heitmann@ed.act.edu.au or your teacher directly should you be proceeding with an application.  We can assist by providing a letter of support.

To find out more about support available from DCO you can follow them on facebook or check out their website https://www.defence.gov.au/dco/.

As always I am available if you have any questions or concerns regarding support for ADF families here in Canberra. I am always happy to help!

Karyn Penney

Harmony Day (21 March) is about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. Harmony Week celebrates Australia's cultural diversity.

Orange is the colour chosen to represent Harmony Week. Traditionally orange specifies social communication and meaningful conversations. It also relates to the freedom of ideas and encouragement of mutual respect. Australians can choose to wear something orange during Harmony Week to show their support for cultural diversity and an inclusive Australia.

Campbell Primary School is celebrating Harmony week (Monday 15 to Friday 19) and students are invited to wear special dress day on Friday, 19 March.

Students are welcome to come to school on Friday, 19^th March, dressed in:

• culturally significant costumes,
• orange clothing, or
• school uniform.

Students are not to come dressed in superhero costumes or any costumes requiring/including weapons of any description.

Hi Campbell PS Families!

Last newsletter I told you about how we inform our school community of our expectations and how we redirect students when they have a bit of trouble being a Safe Respectful Learner. I also introduced you to Stanley. 

This week, it’s all about acknowledging the positive behaviours here at Campbell and reinforcing our mission for each student to be a Safe Respectful Learner. 

Once it is crystal clear that our students know the expectations, it’s time to begin reinforcing those behaviours by acknowledging positive choices. When a staff member catches a student being Safe or Respectful or a Learner, we acknowledge it with a ‘stag’. These stags are for the same behaviours as previous years, however look a bit different this year.

We are using a program called Class Dojo. This program requires first names only to create a student avatar, using little monsters. 

We have grouped the students into classes and all teachers have access to each class. If a child receives a stag they, or their teacher, gives them a point. We have categorised the points into: Safe, Respectful or Learner for our data records. 

These stags are given frequently throughout the day. They are not used as a bribe e.g. "If you do this, I will give you a stag." It is all about acknowledging students for just doing what they should be doing. We are doing this so the high expectations that we set will eventually become the norm for all students. 

For staff members who do not have access to Class Dojo, or like myself, always moving through the school, we have cardboard versions.  These are great for the playground too. Students who earn these hand them to their teacher to add to the online system.

Both staff and students love this system, as it is quick and easy. A ‘ding’ happens each time a stag is awarded which can have an instant impact on the child receiving it and for others wishing to do the same. We want our students to feel proud and valued for their efforts in making this school a better place for everyone.

But what are all these stags for?

They are for badges. Yep, badges. 

Students who receive a set amount of stags will be presented with a badge to acknowledge their achievements in demonstrating positive behaviour. We want them to proudly wear a badge, making it clear to our community they are a role model and most importantly a Safe, Respectful Learner.

We have 3 categories which are (hopefully you know what is coming…) Safe, Respectful and Learner. Each category has 3 tiers: bronze, silver and gold. This means each student has the ability to receive 9 badges in total! 

The table below outlines the points needed for each tier. 

We are currently in the process of ordering the badges and are VERY excited to hand some out as soon as a child achieves their first 50 points in 1 category. 

So ask your child/ren about their ‘Dojo’ monster and what specific behaviours they displayed which earned them a stag.

Tune in next newsletter to see some work students have done around Stanley and our PBL mission. 

Social Emotional Learning as part of our PBL

As most classes are coming to the end of their first topic ‘Emotional Literacy’ during our SEL lessons, I thought it would be helpful to share specific activities we have been doing to develop your child/ren’s understanding of emotions. I’ve also added some things you can do at home to support this learning.

Kindergarten

It’s been all about facial expressions and body language. We have been looking closely at faces, including our own, to see what certain emotions look like. This is how we begin to teach children about empathy.

A great way to support this at home is to ask your child/ren to ‘show’ happy, sad, angry etc. Or ask them to tell you how you might be feeling by looking at your face (I use this A LOT as a teacher). Even just asking your child/ren to tell you how a character might be feeling in a book based on the pictures. 

Year 1 & 2

We have been reviewing facial expression and body language and how to read these in social situations. Students have identified situations which invoke particular emotions. We have discussed empathy and refer to it when examining common school scenarios.  This informs students on what action to take towards people when they express certain emotions. Learning has culminated in developing a shared understanding of 'what is friendship' and how to be a good friend. 

To support this at home, ask your child/ren how they felt during particular events they discuss with you. You can also ask the same about the people, (friends, teachers or family members) might have felt during their interactions with them. This will help strengthen their empathy towards others. 

Year 3 & 4

We have been discussing body language and how it can inform us of how others may be feeling. A large part of our activities revolve around empathy. We have delved deep into common school scenarios and discussed how people might feel in these moments. We have begun to reflect on our own words, actions and feelings to inform us on how we can make our school and classroom a more inclusive and friendly place to be. We have also looked at negative and positive emotions and how our days are filled with both of them.

When it comes to supporting the strengthening of empathy in your child/ren, it is all about talking and sharing our thoughts and feelings with one another. When discussions are about interactions with others, whether positive or negative, have your child/ren identify not only how they feel about what happened, but have them think about how others felt too. Use this to help children to reflect on their behaviours and come up with alternative actions for future situations if needed. 

Year 5 & 6

Just like all of the other year groups, we started off by looking at emotions and body language. Empathy has been a big focus to help us to understand why people might react like they do in various situations. We explored emotional intensity and the importance of being able to communicate how we feel to others in order to get the support we need, especially as our students head into adolescence. 

As your child/ren begin this next phase of development, it is so important in continuing to encourage them to share their thoughts and feelings with you. Remind them that what they are going through is very normal and the roller coaster of emotions they will experience daily is normal. Help them to identify their emotions, as well as those of others around them, to strengthen their empathy for others. 

For the final newsletter of the term, I will introduce you to our next topic, Personal Strengths.

Nicole Carney 

Christian Education – Wednesday, 31 March 2021 - in the School Library

Volunteers from CEIS will be coming to Campbell Primary on Wednesday, 31 March 2021.

Thank you to those families who have previously sent in permission notes for your child/ren to attend Christian Education. Unless we hear otherwise, we presume your child will be attending CEIS on 31 March.

If you are new to the school or wish to change your preference to opt IN, please let us know by completing and returning the attached note. There is no need to return the note if you do not wish for your child to attend.

Kate Stear

It’s a common question when schools carry out fundraising: “What is it for?”

While the answer to that is often varied and complex (but vital), now and again we can offer a resounding response to this question. 

Just in time for our swimming carnival, Campbell Primary School staff received a brand new SLR camera along with 2 smaller digital cameras courtesy of our amazing Parents and Citizens (P&C) group and their ongoing fundraising efforts.

The cameras have already improved the quality of images captured that will in turn be used for Seesaw, Yearbooks, newsletters and documenting student work.

We are very grateful to our community and P&C team for their ongoing fundraising efforts for our school.

Scholastic Bookclub Issue #2 catalogues will be sent home this week.

Online LOOP ordering is open now.  

Please submit all orders online at www.scholastic.com.au.  Issue #2 online orders are to be submitted by Thursday, 18th March.

Remember, paper orders and cash are no longer accepted at the front office.

Issue #1 orders have been delivered to the school and should be sent home this week.

If you have any queries, please contact our Book Club Co-ordinator Mel Rhodes (0412 239 948).