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Message - Professional Learning Leader
Dear Families,
Well November is now here and the sun is trying to shine at last. Hoping you and your families had a chance for a rest and some fun over the long weekend?
I thought I would explain a little of a section of our maths teaching here at St Thomas. It's called Tool Time. Each maths lesson commences with tool time and children are engaging well with a range of games and activities, developed to improve their understanding of place value and counting.
What is place value?
Place value is the value of each digit in a number. For example, the 5 in 350 represents 5 tens, or 50; however, the 5 in 5,006 represents 5 thousands, or 5,000. It is important that children understand that while a digit can be the same, its value depends on where it is placed in a number.
Why is counting important?
Counting begins at an early age with the memorisation of counting 1 to 10 and beyond. Slowly children begin to associate the numbers in the little song or rhyme they have learnt with counting objects and finding a total. As they develop, children are introduced to counting both backwards and forwards, skip counting e.g. 2,4,6,8, starting and finishing at different numbers and practicing counting over decades and centuries. Counting development allows children to begin forming a mental number line or chart in their mind, which supports each of the four operations, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
The community learning leaders and teaching teams devote some time at each collaborative planning table session discussing common misconceptions in place value or counting skills that they have observed in their classrooms. Teachers carefully decide on short, active tasks that promote fluency and deepen understanding. Every lesson begins with these tasks which last for 8-10 minutes. This type of multiple exposure to a learning concept is evidence based as a high impact teaching strategy.
How can I help my child?
Ask them about tool time! Count aloud with them on car trips, count backwards and forwards and from different starting points. If they are ready to skip count, start with 10's, 2's and 5's and then all the trickier patterns too.
Point out numbers you see in the environment - ask what the value of a digit is in 2, 3, 4 digits numbers you see on mail boxes or whilst shopping. Have them help with working out discounts or totals in shops. Always explain your thinking when you are solving maths type problems and when they solve a problem ask them 'how do you know?'
If you'd like to know more, feel free to ask and I can share some useful readings or websites. My best contact is: schappell@cranbourneeast.catholic.edu.au
Kind Regards
Sarah Chappell
Professional Learning Leader
Remembrance Day
(Friday 11th November)
On Friday next week, we will be holding a whole-school prayer service for Remembrance Day. Parents are welcome to join us for this, as it will be happening first thing on Friday morning (8:55am) on the basketball courts.
Why do we recognise this day?
Whilst the history of this day began with the ending of World War One, it is an opportunity for us to honour the people who have died in any war and conflict. The purpose of this day is not to glorify war. We acknowledge that people lost their lives, often knowingly, in the course of war. Jesus gave his life, knowingly. In His case, it was not a war waged between groups of people – it was a war waged against evil. Awesome news… Jesus won. A place of eternal peace is reserved for all when we die, where wars and conflict do not exist.
There have been many wars where Australians have fought overseas. But how often have we stopped to think that a long-standing war occurred between the people of this land and the invading colonisers back in 1788. It’s very difficult to think about the numbers of people who died in this instance but they are included in our service on Friday 11th also.
Up to the minute, our thoughts and prayers go to the people who have lost their lives in the Ukraine war. Peace is needed everywhere, whether it was hundreds of years ago, and still feeling the effects, or right now.
Whether you can come to school on Friday morning to be with us in person, or whether you are at your workplace or home, everyone is invited to stop for a moment silence and pray for peace.
Sacraments 2023
If you would like a sacrament for your child next year, whether it be Reconciliation, First Communion or Confirmation, please read on. This is the message that went out to all families last week…
Near the end of each year, the Parish of St Thomas the Apostle gathers information from all interested families regarding Sacraments for the following year. You will see a link below that takes you to a survey that asks a few simple questions about this. Essentially, the Parish office needs to know your email address and the sacrament you intend for your child in 2023. This allows the Sacramental Team to anticipate how many candidates there are in each program and importantly, who to communicate with.
Reconciliation (usually for year 3 students) - must be baptised Catholic
First Holy Communion (usually for year 4 students) - must be baptised and have celebrated Reconciliation
Confirmation (usually for year 6 students) - must be baptised, celebrated Reconciliation and First Communion
Link to the intentions survey: https://forms.gle/Dh7jC6ewhpwWgCww5
Poppy Appeal 2022
Dear families,
For more than 100 years, the annual Poppy Appeal has supported Australian veterans and their families which St Thomas is proud to support,
Next week our student leadership team will be selling poppies on behalf of the RSL .
Students can purchase poppies during lunchtime ouside the office and after school from Tuesday onwards.