Beautiful Morning  by Mike Bonisch

CTK Newsletter

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Thank you for the turnout at the Netsafe meeting last week. The response was excellent and the facilitator Angie Webster was impressed with the support she experienced.

Earlier in the day Ms Webster facilitated two sessions with staff. The parent evening session revolved around the themes of digital literacy, digital capability and cyber safety rules with the link between the three being digital citizenship. Netsafe describe a digital citizen as some one who displays the following characteristics:
• is a confident and capable user of ICT
• uses technologies to participate in educational, cultural, and economic activities • uses and develops critical thinking skills in cyberspace• is literate in the language, symbols, and texts of digital technologies• is aware of ICT challenges and can manage them effectively• uses ICT to relate to others in positive, meaningful ways• demonstrates honesty and integrity and ethical behaviour in their use of ICT • respects the concepts of privacy and freedom of speech in a digital world • contributes and actively promotes the values of digital citizenship.

If we can encourage our students to engage in these practices then this will help them manage their own digital capabilities. The Netsafe website is a practical resource offering information and advice for both parents and educators on how to make best use of technology with our students and children, while at the same time keeping them safe. So many outcomes depend on their decision making. Thanks to Mr Atherton for organizing Ms Webster’s visit.

Last week our Year 4-8 students were involved in Progressive Achievement Tests (PATs). PATs are multiple-choice tests designed to help teachers determine achievement levels of students in Mathematics, Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary, and Listening Comprehension. The test results help teachers decide what kinds of teaching materials are needed and which methods or programmes are most suitable for their students. PATs also help identify the progress a student is making from year to year.

Please remember that these standardized tests only form a part of the Overall Teacher Judgement (OTJ) a teacher makes. If you wish to discuss any results with your child’s teacher, please feel free to make a time to do so.

Lent is upon us and some of the activities our Special Character Leaders/Young Vinnies are organising for next week include a can drive, Solidarity Day and food parcels. We are trying to promote Lent as a time of giving as well as self-sacrifice.