We had an awesome time last Thursday at the Circus Challenge. We learnt how to juggle coloured fabric, spin plates on sticks and do tricks with three sticks.

Dear Families,

Please note the following iPad sessions for this week:

Monday 20th February – 6.30pm – 8.00pm – evening session – staffroom.

Wednesday 22nd February – 9.00am – 10.30am – morning session – hall.

Please register your interest in the BYO iPad program via the link on the Craigburn Connections blog or by contacting the front office in person, by phone 8270 4144 or email: dl.1226.admin@schools.sa.edu.au

As you would be aware Craigburn Primary School launched a voluntary BYO iPad program for students in Years 2 – 7 in early 2016. Throughout the early stages of the program we have experienced many successes and some challenges along the way. These have included:

• Approximately 180 students who have taken up the program and whose families participated in parent information / induction sessions,
• 21 parent induction sessions delivered over 3 terms,
• Strong support for the program by students, teachers, families involved, and the Craigburn Governing Council,
• Positive feedback through our external school review, held in Term 3 2016,
• Increased opportunities for students to demonstrate their learning (making their learning visible) – e.g. using apps such as Seesaw, Explain Everything
• Increased learner engagement by students using iPads as evidenced by a student data survey in Term 4,
• A shift in the way teachers have designed learning tasks to support personalised learning and higher order thinking,
• Issues with purchasing and providing paid apps,
• Being unable to establish the program for Year 1 students,
• Providing updated information to families e.g. paid app survey returns.

We have recently updated our BYO iPad Program Information for 2017 –  and are continuing to the implement the program across Years 2 – 7, with the aim to extend this to Year 1 in the future.

Parent Induction Sessions

Induction sessions are designed for families of students in Years 2 – 7, who:

• Would like their child to participate in the program
• Whose child / children already participates – and would like a refresher course
• Would like their child to participate but have not yet purchased an iPad

Induction sessions are offered on the following dates/times:

Monday 20th February – 6.30pm – 8.00pm – evening session – staffroom
Wednesday 22nd February – 9.00am – 10.30am – morning session – hall
Monday 27th February – 6.30pm – 8.00pm – evening session – staffroom
Friday 3rd March – 9.00am – 10.30am – morning session – hall

Please note:

• At least one parent / carer is required to attend. It is not essential that two parents attend.
• Only one induction session needs to be attended by parents if more than one child is participating in the program.
• Students are not required to attend the induction session.

Further induction sessions will be available on a needs basis. Please contact the school if these dates are unsuitable to arrange an alternative time

At the Induction session, parents will be introduced to and stepped through a ‘BYO iPad Program iTunes U Course’ – designed to provide both the parent/s and the child with immediate and easy access to the following information and resources:

• Setting up the iPad ready for school
• School, Parent and Student Expectations – including acceptable use agreement
• A required core Apps List
• Maintenance and Care
• Digital Citizenship and Cybersafety
• iPad Tips and Tricks
• Troubleshooting

We invite all students and families to join us for:

Acquaintance Evening – next Tuesday 14th February

A free sausage sizzle will be available from 5.30pm onwards with classrooms open between 6.00pm and 7.15pm.

We believe it is important for each student to participate in the evening, serving as an opportunity for them to lead and play a major role in acquainting their parents with their learning environment for 2017 and of course meeting with teachers, specialist teachers and support staff.

In preparing for, and participating in the evening, students will practise skills in communication, organisation, problem solving, critical and creative thinking – as well as developing self-confidence.

This strongly aligns with our vision for learners at Craigburn, where, ‘we aim to empower all students to become successful, active and confident learners, who have a strong sense of identity.’ (abridged)

At the beginning of, and throughout the school year, teachers use a variety of media to share information and student learning – including newsletters, blogs, Seesaw and more.

The evening also serves as a purpose for families to mingle and of course to chat with teachers. Please note that if you wish to speak to your child’s class teacher on a one to one basis about their development we suggest that you make an alternative time to do this.

We look forward to seeing you all on Tuesday evening.

Craigburn Staff

Circus Challenge

This year we have been fortunate enough to once again secure a booking for the very popular Circus Challenge to visit our school. The Circus Challenge focuses on Physical Education, Performing Arts, & Personal Development with team work, persistence and problem solving through fun, engaging and hands on experiences. Circus Challenge is not a traditional circus in the sense there are no clowns, animals or circus tents.

Firstly, there will be a circus performance show for the whole school motivating students to step outside their comfort zone and try new things. Then each student will be involved in an hour circus challenge workshop in class groups. During the workshops students will rotate through a range of activities and have the opportunity to discover and explore elements of the circus in both group and individual pursuits through physical, creative and challenging activities.

Our class will be attending the whole school circus performance on Thursday 16th February at 9:00am.

Our class workshop will also be on Thursday 16th February at 12:10- 1:00pm. 

We are all looking forward to having lots of fun!

Hello Families,

I hope you all enjoyed the weekend, they always go way too fast!

Last week we had a great first week in year three. We played lots of get to know you activities, shared about our Summer holidays and learnt the new classroom routines. We also did some general testing of spelling, reading and maths. Every class does this at the start of the year for the teacher to see the levels of each child.

MUNCHY MONSTER BINS

This year we are lucky to be in charge of the Munchy Monster 10c recycling bins. We put them out each morning and then away in the E.L.C. overnight. Each Thursday we sort the rubbish and 10c containers to see how many we have collected.

HOMEWORK

Today the children were given their first spelling list which is stuck in their diaries (your child will have either 6, 12 or 18 words to learn for the week). Each night the children are required to do LSCWC. This should take approximately 5 mins and is to be done in their homework books. If your child would like to do some more spelling practice then they may like to try the following (they can be as creative as they like):

*Rainbow words

*Paint words on paper

*Paint words with water on pavement

*Write words with pasta

*Throw/ shoot goals as they spell the words

The children are also required to do 20 minutes of reading per night at home. I have encouraged the children that reading in bed is a great idea to help your body and brain relax ready for sleep.

If your child would like some extra maths homework then they need to put their homework books on my desk in the morning. I will stick these sheets in the back of their homework books.

CIRCUS CHALLENGE

Thank you to the families that have already brought these notes back in. Please keep bringing them in to the classroom and our monitors will take them to the office. They are due this Thursday 9th February.

TISSUES

Thank you to the families that have already brought in a box of tissues.

BYO IPAD PROGRAM

There will be an upcoming BYO iPad session on in the next couple of weeks run by Paul and Rob. I will send out a reminder for those parents who wish to attend when the dates are finalised.

Kind regards

Kristen Bowden