28 April 2017
Newsletter Articles
Deputy Principal’s Comments
As an educator and parent, I think I can safely say that one of the most challenging aspects of education is motivating students to learn. This is perhaps the greatest challenge that we each face, but is critical to student success.
Motivating students to learn and in particular, to want to learn, is probably the greatest challenge that applies to each and every one of us whether our role be a teacher, parent, or governess.
While there is no single factor that motivates learners, there are a few tips and hints that may assist you in overcoming the daily grind.
Make learning fun
Just because there is a set of curriculum resources set out in a certain manner does not mean that this is how they need to be or indeed should be delivered. Activities that teach the content whilst providing engaging activities for students and make learning fun are an important strategy that can and should be used.
Sometimes this might mean abandoning the formal ‘curriculum resource’. This is perfectly ok if it means a student engages with learning.
Don’t teach them what they already know
Teaching often assumes that the learner is an empty vessel to be ‘filled up’ with knowledge. Most students already have some level of knowledge and understanding of the content and subject matter that is to be taught.
In this case, they do not need to be taught what they know. Focus instead should be on those parts of the curriculum that they do not know or are experiencing difficulty with. The weighting that you assign to a piece of learning can be varied to suit the individual circumstances of the learner.
Throw away the curriculum
The resources provided to you are just that; a resource. They are not the be all and end all of learning. If the resource isn’t working, throw it out and try an alternative resource.
Every student learns differently. A single resource will not meet the needs of every student. Never be afraid to use alternative resources to replace or enhance those provided to you. The goal is the student’s education, not the completion of any single resource or set of resources.
Use a rewards system
Establish a rewards system for completion of work, getting assignments in on time and so forth. This does not have to be costly and is not about a ‘prize’. Rather, it may be more time on an out of school activity that the student enjoys, access to technology or other ‘reward’ for achieving a milestone.
Positive rewards can assist in motivating learners to try new activities, complete work on time and so on. The crucial bit is that the reward is only provided where the student meets the required milestone. Do not give in as this sends the completely wrong message.
Have a purpose or goal
Many students learn best when there is a clear purpose or goal for the learning. For older students this could be linked to the ‘end game’ – what the student wishes to do in the future.
Having a motivating purpose or goal is fundamental to learning. Students who do not see a purpose for a piece of learning are less likely to complete the learning or at least complete it to the best of their ability.
Remind students of the ‘end game’ and what they hope to achieve at the end of this.
While there are many more factors that can assist in motivating the learner, these are some common strategies that every teacher, parent and governess can use.
Andrew Smith
Deputy Principal
Education Support Program
Our program works across the school from Prep to Year 12 and we have a number of teachers who are working in this area for the first time in 2017. Here is a small snapshot from Ms Skowronski, Mrs Oss and Mrs Niemi.
Hi, I’m Emili Skowronski. This is my fourth year at Distance Ed and I am now teaching in the Education Support Program. When I am not a school, you can usually find me running around after my two daughters, Ruby and Rani, or having looooong chats with anyone who has time – look out if you see me when you’re in town! On the holidays, the whole family, including the dog and the budgie, head for the beach to go glamping. One last, very important piece of information about me is that I am more easily bribed with chips than chocolate!
Hi, I’m Deb Oss. 2017 finds me working across Junior and Senior Secondary school. This is quite a change for me as my previous teaching area was based in the Primary sector, mainly in Learning Support. This term I will be teaching a Junior Secondary English and Maths class combined with two Literacy groups. I work with Senior Secondary students supporting them as they work through a program called BKSB. I am enjoying teaching the students a great deal and am keen to start Term 2.
Hi, I’m Marnie Niemi and I’ve been working at Distance Ed part time since 2010. I have four children which ensures I am never bored and never have nothing to do! I’ve lived in Charters Towers for 27 years and enjoyed teaching full time at Central State School and Distance Ed prior to having my children. When I am not in the kitchen, laundry or car, I like to get outside in the yard and provide the wallabies with a range of plants to eat! Fortunately I’ve found they don’t like cycads or desert roses, so their menu has finally become more limited! I also enjoy arts and crafts and anything unrelated to housework. Being part of the staff at Distance Ed is as rewarding as it is challenging. There is always something new to learn, but there’s always plenty of workmates to annoy and ask for help!
OUR TERM 1 RAFFLE FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL.
The raffle for the students in our secondary area was drawn on Tuesday 18 April for the culmination of all those students who had received tickets for excellent school engagement during the term.
Congratulations to Edward : 3rd prize, John: 2nd prize and Emilie: 1st prize. We are going to introduce a new reward system this term called: Kookaburra Cash which will give our students the opportunity to use real life mathematics skills and also have something for their efforts at the end of the term.
Karen Smith
Head of Special Education Services
Term 1 raffle -Prize 1- Emilie
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Term 1 raffle- Prize 2- John |
Term 1 raffle - Prize 3- Edward |
Prep - Green Thumbs
In Term 1 the Prep students had the opportunity to decorate some pots and plant some beautiful flowers with the lovely Leigh from Bunnings. Bunnings also kindly gave us each a watering can to help us care for our new plant. This links beautifully to our Science units in Terms 1 and 2 about living things and what they need to survive. This hands on opportunity enhanced the students understanding of the basic needs of all living things in natural and managed environments- sun, air, food, water and shelter.
Preps gardening with Bunnings
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Daniel Gardening |
Jack Gardening |
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Luke planting flowers |
Pippa planting flowers |
Year 4:
This term in Year 4 English the students are focusing on creating a folktale which includes a moral. The students get to explore folktales from other countries and then create their own.
Science this term includes lots of fun investigations about the effect of environmental factors on plant growth.
In Math we will continue to work through the concepts that need to be covered this term as well as focus on skills and knowledge that may need to be revised.
The Year 4 teachers have really enjoyed getting to know our students more during audio lessons.
NAPLAN inreach and the various outreaches are also opportunities for students to get to know their teachers and each other better. During these they can work in groups and use hands on activities to build on skills learnt in the current units.
Yours in fun and learning,
Miss O’Brien and Mrs McLauchlan
Year 4 Teachers
Senior School prepares to tackle Term 2
With one week down already Senior School students should be warmed-up and aware of what’s ahead of them this term. Assessment due dates (including drafts!) should be put into diaries and calendars. Students should be devoting a proper and substantial effort into their drafts - this will increase their chances of success! Teachers are able to help students improve their marks if drafts are completed properly and submitted with enough time. A gentle reminder to the students about the dates and specific requirements of the task can keep them on track and avoids a chaotic final submission.
Our teachers will guide and extend the students to come up with real-world solutions for real-world problems. 11/12 ITS will be able to boast about their 21st Century skills as they build websites based on specific client requirements. The Year 11 Geographers will be assessing the environmental and economic resources of our water ways by making decisions about how to best manage catchments. Year 12 Geographers, on the other hand, will be investigating the grizzly impact of recent disease epidemics across the world to see how we can keep our communities as healthy as possible. Perhaps, by the end of term 2 our Year 10 Biologists will be able to join their ranks as they complete a unit on genetics.
Poetry for advocacy – Year 10 English
Last term Year 10 constructed and performed a poem to bring attention to a global or social issue important to them. Not only did the students’ creative flair leap out of the page, but their thoughtful prose demonstrated just how engaged students at CTSDE are. Whether standing-up for those across the paddock, or across our shores. Whether backing the black-dog to fight the stigma of mental health, or calling for social equality and ending discrimination. With rhythm and rhyme these students proved that teenagers are more than a whinging stereotype. These young-Australians showed how the power of literature can be crafted to advocate for the community and the underdog.
Example Work:
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The Army Curse - By Montana, Year 10A What a sight, for sore eyes to gaze Damp the earth once more "Don't sign" it cried in pain as
it plead The cattle were quiet little mice No more of these days, will the lord see Our mother land will long for justice I hope miracles do come true Like a snake eyed Micky in the yards Until that day when the trees don't
whisper The sun on my back and stirrups in my
boots |
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Asking For You - By Amber, 10 A As you go to sleep at night The Middle Eastern country Syria Gun shots crash like thunder Some bravely escaped They need you to become aware Please do what’s right |
Celia North
Senior School Teacher
Student Council
2017 ANZAC Day Commemorations
As the sun rose on a beautiful autumn’s day on Tuesday 25th of April, over the Charters Towers Lawn Cemetery, ANZAC Day commemorations had already begun to remember the many servicemen and women who had made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Student Council members and students attended the sombre, but devoted ANZAC Day Dawn Service, lead by the local RSL Branch and Cadet Corps, with Rear Admiral Brett Wolski as the guest speaker. One of our Senior School Captains, Montana Spurdle, laid a wreath on behalf of all students, parents and staff of our school.
Later that morning, many students and staff also proudly represented our school in the Charters Towers Regional Council’s Commemoration Parade down Gill Street. While there were many participants in the parade, the number of spectators cheering on the marchers was just as impressive. The memorial service, lead by Mayor Liz Schmidt, also included guest speakers, Rear Admiral Brett Wolski of the Royal Australian Navy, and Major Anthony Bamford of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment. School Captains and Student Council representative, Montana Spurdle, Shontel Bickerstaff, Grace O’Brien and Izabelle Appleton respectfully laid the wreath on the cenotaph, on behalf of our students, parents and staff of our school.
Thank you to the families who came in to be a part of the commemorations, especially those that rose very early and travelled long distances to attend.
Mr Marius Venter and Mrs Kaye Warren
Student Council Representative Teachers
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ANZAC Day- Dawn Service |
ANZAC Day- Student Council with Wreath. |
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ANZAC Day- Parade |
ANZAC Day- Laying Wreath |
Library News
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PLEASE help us win $200 reward points at Scholastic simply by reading aloud to someone. Please download the flyer, print it out and fill in the calendar. To make it easier for you I have already filled in the TEACHER name so that we get lots of entries for the Library More information can be downloaded from the link below but remember to click below for the prefilled form. http://www.scholastic.com.au/nfrm Thanks Jenny Currin |