Newsletter 15th June, 2005 - Term 2 - No7
Reading Tutors School Social Student Success
  Board of Trustees Meeting  
 
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Dear Parents / Caregivers

The “ERO report to parents and community of Tokoroa Intermediate School” gave a summary of the full report.  As I mentioned in last weeks newsletter I will print some extracts from the full report over the next four weeks.

Reading was the ERO focus area for the review.  They visited all classes to observe reading lessons in place and checked planning and assessment.  They also looked at the data we had collected in 2004 and 2005.  The report identified twelve areas of “Good Performance” and one recommendation: this being formative assessment which we identified in 2004 as an area we needed to improve.

Areas of Good Performance from the report are:

Literacy Learning Environment - There is a positive tone throughout the school that effectively supports literacy learning.  Students and teachers have access to a wide range of resources and tools that support teaching and learning.  The majority of classrooms are print rich with attractive meaningful displays that affirm and celebrate student successes and achievements.  Classroom environments strongly support the delivery of quality reading programmes.

Teaching Strategies - Teachers know students well and use a wide variety of strategies and approaches in the delivery of reading programmes.

Many guided reading programmes contain:

  • Detailed group planning
  • Purposeful activities and questioning techniques which engage students in developing skills to become successful independent readers: and
  • Programmes that acknowledge students prior knowledge and learning experiences.
Literacy Learning Support and Enhancement - A range of interventions support students identified as being at risk of not achieving or requiring extension. These programmes are stringently monitored and evaluated. The school makes extensive use of skilled teachers, teacher aides, volunteers and special needs personnel to provide the most suitable support or extension for each student. Reviewer observation and information held by the school, indicates that these programmes and interventions are effective.

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Reading Tutors

Our voluntary Reading Tutors do a magnificent job by coming into the school every week to work with students on a 1:1 basis.  Some Reading Tutors come into the school on two or three days a week.  These individuals help the same children for most of the year and help not only the children’s reading but attitude to school and general academic progress.

The Learning Support teachers will be taking a short course (no charge) for any parents / guardians / friends of the school who wish to become part of the school ‘Volunteer Reading Tutor Programme’ and / or if you would like additional skills to help your own children with reading at home.  The course will be on Thursday 23 June (Part 1) and Thursday 30 June (Part 2) at 10:45a.m. - 12:00p.m. at the school.

If you are interested please fill in the form and return to the office as soon as possible or phone 886 7687.

Jeannette Beale and Jo Abbott
TIC Learning Support

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School Social

A reminder to parents that the school Social is on Wednesday 29 June, 7:00p.m. to 9:30p.m.  The Social is by invitation only.  Before children can be considered for an invitation they need to make sure that all outstanding fees have been paid (this does not include school fees).  If you owe money you will have received an account in the mail over the last three weeks.  Further details on the Social will be in next week’s newsletter.

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Student Success

Congratulations to Dannie Arnell who recently competed in the New Zealand Judo Nationals and gained a New Zealand title by winning the gold medal in the Under 45 kilo girls division.  She has been selected to compete in the Victorian International Open Judo Championships in Melbourne in August.

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Board of Trustees Meeting

There will be a Board of Trustee meeting tonight at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Room (Administration Area of the school).

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Warren Long
PRINCIPAL

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