Parent Information Session Uniquely Rochedale An Overview l

Parent Information Session

Uniquely Rochedale

An Overview l l l Independent Public School An International Baccalaureate School implementing the PYP program and delivering the Australian Curriculum Size – approx 990 students Number of classes – 40 classes (5* Prep classes) Staff including support/specialist staff – approx 70 staff including • • l PE Teachers ICT Coach LOTE Teachers: Chinese and French Literacy Coach School times – 8: 40 – 2: 50 pm Music Teachers & Instrumental Music Team Teachers to support our differentiation model

Key Staff Members • Keith Graham – Principal • Denise Wardle – Deputy Principal (P-1) • Tom Grimson – Head of Curriculum/Deputy Principal Y 6 • Brad Legge– Deputy Principal (3/4) • Kellie Maxton – Deputy Principal (5/6) • Mr Paul Kelly – PYP Co-ordinator • Jessica Rigby – Head of Diverse Learning and Enrichment (HODLE) • Jo Broadbent – Transition Co-ordinator

About Prep is now a compulsory, fulltime year of Qld schooling, introduced in 2007. Prep is designed around a school curriculum with behavioural, academic and uniform expectations. l Curriculum – aligns with national curriculum and standards ACARA and has a developmentally-based philosophy l Fulltime program – no part time attendance. l Aligns with the rest of the school - behaviour expectations and uniform expectation

Prep • A teacher aide attached to the class all day • Prep students undertake a Music lesson, a PE lesson and a Library lesson each week. • LOTE is not taught in Prep however there is additional focus on oral language • Playgrounds and eating areas are sectioned in year levels. • Lower school toilet block.

Diverse Learning and Enrichment • At Rochedale State School we believe that all students can learn given the right time, right support and right opportunities. We value student diversity and respect individual learning differences. • A whole-school (team) approach is adopted to provide quality differentiated teaching practice that is responsive to the needs of all students. • • • Students with diverse learning needs include students: who require extension/enrichment in key learning areas (identified through school data) who have English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D) with verified disabilities • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Intellectual Disability (ID), Hearing Impairment (HI), • Vision Impairment (VI), Physical Impairment (PI), Speech-Language Impairment (SLI) • with learning disabilities (some examples are listed below) • • • Specific learning disorder Central auditory processing disorder Sensory integration disorder Language disorder or Speech sound disorder Developmental coordination disorder or motor planning difficulties Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. • who have been identified, through school data collection, as requiring support in one or more key learning areas

ROSHCA • Before and After school hours care association • Opening hours 6: 00 am – 6 pm (M – F) • Vacation Care begins Monday, 6 th January • Take-home pack for you

What is Transition? Transition to school is a significant milestone for children & families New Experiences New Relationships Time of Change Excitement but Uncertainty Transition to school but also from home, childcare, kindergarten Adjusting to many new changes– • • Physical Environment - large school environment, large age range of children, noise levels Rules & Routines - eating areas, playing areas, toilet blocks Social Relationships - new friends/classmates, new teachers Learning Expectations - increase curriculum demands, decrease in play based learning

Why is transition important? How well children are prepared for the transition to school can impact long term outcomes. Successful transitions to school = More likely chance of continuing success • Positive starting school experiences develop trusting relationships, foster a sense of belonging, builds confidence for future learning experiences • Successful transitions develop a love learning & school • Negative experiences can have long term effects - find it hard to engage in learning

Our Transition Programs STARS ROCKETS

Getting Ready for Prep – teachers’ perspective

School Readiness CURIOSITY and INTEREST IN LITERACY/NUMERACY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN KNOWING LETTER NAMES, SOUNDS and NUMERALS!!

What can parents do?

In a nutshell • Establishes expectations • Alleviates stress

What your child’s transition will look like… Week 5 Week 6 Week 10 Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 5 th November 6 th November 7 th November 8 th November 9: 50 – 10: 50 12 th November 13 th November 14 th November 15 th November 9: 50 – 10: 50 11 th December 11: 30 – 1: 00 Shuffle-Up Day

What to bring… • Fruit break and morning tea • Water bottle • Hat – no hat no play rule • Wear comfortable clothing & closed in shoes • You will be given a name tag for your child

What to do Week 5 • Arrive at school by the designated time (9: 40) • Go to the Learning Centre • Mrs Wardle will meet you there with name tags • You will be escorted to the classroom your child will be visiting that day • No toddlers or babies – focus must be on the Pre-Prep child • Be present – phones on silent • Goal for today – visit the classroom, stay by self if comfortable

Your job… • Supervise your child – encourage them to join in and participate in the activities • Get involved – whatever the class is doing, model your enthusiasm and desire to participate to your child • Talk to other children and welcome them into your group/circle • Be 100% present – no phones • There may be specialist lessons – go to those and get an insight as to what goes on. There will be no swimming lessons – an alternative activity will be arranged • Don’t judge your child against the current Prep children – they are a whole year older/experience • Leave if your child is confident enough to stay by themselves • Return to The Learning Centre, have a coffee or tea, mix with other parents. Please remain on site. Q&A with Sector Deputy and Ho. DLE

At 10: 45… • Make your way to the Eating Area • Your child will meet you there in the designated “Rockets’ space • Enjoy morning tea with them • At 11: 05 - bell rings • Pack up • Enjoy playing on the sand outdoor play equipment • Your job: monitor your own child. • 11: 20 bell rings • Time to go home – uniform shop will be open

What to do Week 6 • Arrive at school by the designated time (9: 40) • Go to the Learning Centre • Mrs Wardle will meet you there with name tags • You will be escorted to the classroom your child will be visiting that day • No toddlers or babies – focus must be on the Pre-Prep child • Be present – phones on silent • Goal for today – visit the classroom, stay by self for entire time

While your child is happy in the classroom… • First Visit: Mrs Wardle and Mrs Rigby will be available to answer questions, chat about what happens in the school context and within the Prep context and also what to do if your child does not yet speak English very well, has learning or medical needs. Enjoy a coffee and the company of other parents • Second visit: Enjoy a coffee, connect with other parents, be back at the eating area by 10: 45 to greet your child.

But I don’t think my child is ready… • What if you feel your child is not ready for Prep – there are options… • Discuss your feelings with your kindy teacher and get their feedback • Speak with Mrs Wardle about your concerns – delayed entry can give children the time they need to develop the skills necessary for a successful Prep year. • Things to be aware of – age requirements, developmental growth, age at the start and end of schooling, catchment boundaries, plan for next year… • The school has a process for a delayed start: • Make a decision - Meet with Mrs Wardle, discuss readiness and options, departmental check list, provide written intentions and permission to contact kindy teacher, formal school response follows • Implications for enrolments, needs, support provided • Repeating Prep? ? ?

Uniform Shop open hours Week 5 Week 6 Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 5 th November 6 th November 7 th November 8 th November 10: 00 – 1: 00 12 th November 13 th November 14 th November 15 th November 10: 00 – 1: 00 Week 10 10: 00 – 1: 00 11 th December Shuffle-Up Day 1: 15 – 3: 15 10: 00 – 1: 00

Shuffle-Up Day • All children Y 1 – Y 5 meet their new teacher and visit their classroom for 2020 • Preps are included in this • Meet in the Gym at 11: 30 am • Your child will be given a name tag and put into a class group • Walk with them to visit the teacher and room • Meet your class teacher, settle your child, return to Gym for induction meeting with Admin by 12: 15 pm • Return to classroom and meet your child before the bell at 1: 00 pm. • The uniform shop will also be open on this day 1: 15 – 3: 15

What now? • Write your child’s name on one day for Week 5. Write your child’s name on one day for Week 6 • Give Mrs Wardle your information sheets if you have not emailed those to the school • See Mrs Wardle for information collection sheets if you did not receive these in the mail. • Collect your ROSHCA pack • Any questions?