NAPLAN has finally returned to TMC and everyone has been busy preparing for and participating in tests. Years 5, 7 and 9 completed all of the tests online, with the year 3s handwriting the Writing Exam. NAPLAN is a government initiative that administers a series of tests to students in years 3, 5, 7 and 9 nationally. The purpose of Naplan is to determine each student's progress in literacy and numeracy skills compared to other students in their age group. When comparing Tamborine Mountain College to the rest of the state, it was found that TMC is above the state average in most areas across all year levels. Since NAPLAN is designed as a diagnostic test, when the results are returned it gives a point in time snapshot of students' learning. Generally the results are very similar to the results found through regular subject assessment, but if there is a surprise result, it can be useful to look into. 

This year, 2021, was the first time naplan was done online which gave students a longer period of time to finish, but still containing the same content. The only exception was for year 3 students who completed the tests by hand, as it was assumed to be faster. Due to the tests being online, our Head of Primary Mr Stevens has overseen all the tests with every test for every student having unique passwords and codes. Mr Haskins and Mrs Garner were also test administrators, who made sure that everything went according to plan. 

When asked Mrs Garner said that she values NAPLAN because of her experiences in England where the testing was rigorous and was used to see student progress, while feeling that NAPLAN was beneficial for students to check on their progress against the criteria, and explaining how you need maths and english for any job. Mrs Garner explained how NAPLAN was stressful in the beginning since the students had no experience with the online method and how it was very reliant on technology which was very nerve racking, especially with headphones since students could listen to a prompt online. She later felt that when the tests started she could breathe again. Lastly she commented on how the students have been fantastic and were less stressed since they were able to use laptops and websites.

NAPLAN isn’t only a big process for the students but for teachers as well. Just for this year Mr Stevens had to go to two development days and help teachers in online workshops. So while we are all extremely proud of our students, our teachers deserve a big thank you and a round of applause for navigating these new situations.

This week's featured image is of the Senior Band and the Band Conductor, Ms Jewell, performing at this year's Open Day. Keep your eye out for the Journalism Club's article on Open Day in next week's The Lions Roar. 

Chemistry is the amazing science that studies what everything is made of and how it works. Learning how and why atoms behave as they do helps students understand the world we all live in. Our Year 9 students are currently investigating how pressure affects gas atoms. Far away from a chemistry laboratory, the laws governing gases are essential knowledge for scuba and deep-sea divers. During the week, David, an experienced diver, gave students an insight into why people dive, what measures are undertaken to limit dangers associated with the activity as well as what complications can occur. David brought with him an array of equipment, currently and historically used to explore the deep dark oceans. Deep-sea diving has profoundly changed over the past century. The understanding of chemistry has enabled the human race to push the limits of possibility. Whether for research or the building of underwater infrastructure, deep-sea diving has significantly contributed to the advancements of our society.

Ms Ania Brilliant - Secondary Science Teacher

This week, both of our primary debating teams were victorious.  The topic was, "All students should do daily chores" - a topic that all students (and their parents) had lots of fun exploring!  

All of our speakers presented with confidence and class.  Most importantly, the students of TMC were gracious in victory, asking for feedback from the adjudicator and approaching the opposition after the debate to thank them for the experience.  

I look forward to supporting the children in their preparation for our round three debate.  It is an interesting topic, indeed: "Human beings are the most dangerous creatures."

Well done, debaters!

Mrs Deborah Horn

Our Year 3 students thrived as they recently spent the afternoon exploring and gardening, with our wonderful Teacher Aide Mr J. Year 3 loved measuring water and potting herbs and flowers. They also got their hands dirty, harvesting and tasting various vegetables. This hands-on experience directly aligns with our current science unit, 'It's Alive.' A big thank you to Mr J for organising such a fantastic learning experience.

Ms Jodi Byron - Year 3 Teacher

Dear families, please see message below and attached photos from Rachel Hall,  explaining the purpose and technique for her and her business partner's spelling workshops which many of the Primary students have experienced in the last 2 weeks. 

Hello Terrific TMC parents/caregivers, 

Can I ask a question? How many of you, when asked to spell a word, have to write it down to make sure it looks and/or feels right before committing to how to spell the word? I know this is true for me! Whilst phonics and segmenting words may be of great help when trying to spell out a complete new word, it can also be a misleading strategy since many words in the English language are not written as they may sound. 

A few years ago, I became a Master Practitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) and while on the training I learned a spelling strategy that seemed amazing. I enlisted my business partner to help me trial the spelling strategy in Mr Hall's class because I felt that it was important to make sure it actually worked first. Turned out to be a huge success in Year 4 Vic, not only did this strategy increase the children's motivation, it also gave the children success in their learning and increased confidence. 

This NLP spelling technique uses visualisation to spell a word and focuses on the process of learning. Visualisation is the art of creating images in your mind, this helps children learn better because our brains love pictures. When we read, if we create the picture of the story in our mind, it helps us remember the story better and have better comprehension of the story. In this spelling technique, the children write down the word and repeat the syllables of the word to themselves 3/4 times. They then take a picture of the word in their mind and then they need to see the word in their mind. I usually say 'put the word on a whiteboard in your mind, can you see it?' If the children cannot see the word they can look at the word on the paper as many times as they need until they can visualise the word in their minds. Once they have this picture in their minds, they read the word backwards first and then read the word forwards. It is magical when it happens and the wide smiles of pride beam on the children's faces. The children can then repeat this process for any word, once they have created that picture in their minds, their minds will always recall this word and they will always know how to spell it! 

Please see the attached photos with examples and the instructions for this technique :)

Mrs Rachel Hall

Today we celebrated a national event called the National Simultaneous Story Time. It was a really special time as both Prep classes joined many other schools across Australia to watch a reading of the book Give Me Some Space. A great experience as Shannon Walker, an astronaut from NASA, read the book from the International Space Station. This prompted all sorts of exciting space related talks.

As an extension of this we found out that tonight an amazing satellite event will happen in the sky just after 6pm. The new Space X Starlink satellites will be travelling across the sky in a line. As someone who has been outside many, many nights before watching satellites, this is bound to be something special. The website Heavens Above lists at least 20 to 30 of these satellites appearing between 6:05pm and 6:09pm. You should head outside in the dark to watch them. A new one will appear every few seconds as a fast moving, but fairly dim, star.

Happy viewing.

Mr Stuart Fern

The students in Year Six have been completing STEM team challenges every Friday. Over the course of the semester, Mr Holm, Ms Visser and I have observed - with fascination and joy - the fashion in which students have developed their ability to work in teams. Today, their discussions and debates (during the planning phase of the task) were creative and cooperative! The photographs say it all.  

Mrs Horn - Year 6 Teacher

The Early Learning Centre opened its doors on Saturday 15 May to showcase the service as part of the Colleges Open Day. Glorious weather provided us with the perfect opportunity for new and existing families to  explore the Petting Zoo, outside equipment, craft and sandpit  play.  Playdough inside was a highlight, many commented that it was the best dough ever!!

As a team it is always a pleasure to mingle with families informing them of our program. The families that attended were delighted and thrilled commenting on the inviting, warm, well presented space we provide.  

In Playgroup this week the children were creative and imaginative while creating squishy pink playdough creatures adding sequins and feathers to decorate.  

Over the last few weeks Preprep have been exposed to a variety of games participating in ‘Doggy Doggy Where's your Bone' and ‘Duck, Duck Goose’ during outside play.  During intentional learning group times Mrs Ashley and I noticed increased concentration during  numeracy  games like:  Lady Bird Bingo and counting minibeasts using one:one correspondence while working in a pair.   Excellent work Preprep! 

Beautiful baking smells could be smelt coming out from the Kindy room on Tuesday when the children made a batch of Gingerbread cookies.  Mrs Hinkins had read the story ‘The Gingerbread Man’ earlier in the week during which the children  voiced they loved to eat Gingerbread Man cookies.     

Reminders

***  Label all jackets, socks and rest time bedding. 

***  Check out Scenic Rim Council for community events in and around Mount Tamborine.

***  Please do not park on the grass strip in front of the ELC. It is safer to use the College car park. 

                              Something to work on with your child at home                                

 LET'S MAKE A SHOPPING LIST

We all have to shop for food and making a shopping list is a fantastic literacy activity for preschoolers.  

Give your child their own notepad and pen and have them make a shopping list. The spelling doesn’t have to be correct- the words don’t even have to make sense.  That’s ok.  

 This is the beginning of writing and understanding the purpose of writing. Have your child bring their list with them, get their own little trolley or basket and shop with you.

Mrs Rachael Fernandez 

Jingeri, exciting news our Reconciliation Action Plan was published earlier this year. The Children at the ELC regularly come together for a yarn as they say our 'Acknowledgment of Country.' We would love to make connections with any Indigenous community members as we continue on our reconciliation journey. Feedback is welcome.

Congratulations to Nicholas Brennan in 8vic who has been awarded Honours (A) for his second Comprehensive Saxophone Exam with the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB). For the exam, Nick had to prepare five saxophone pieces, several scales, answer general knowledge questions and complete sight-reading and aural (listening) tests. Nick also received Honours for his first exam last year, in which the examiner was impressed with his tone and style. Well done, Nick!

Ms Kristy Jewell

Congratulations to Matti Gill for being selected in the Hinterland District Rugby Union Team! This is a fantastic achievement and it is the second time this year Matti has made a Hinterland Representative Team! Early in the year he was selected for the Rugby League team. We wish him well at the South Coast Regional Carnival later in the term.

Mr Andrew O'Loughlin

On open day we played the inaugural TMC House Basketball Tournament. It was most pleasing to see the best basketballers in the school go head to head with an large crowd watching. After a great final Walton House were declared champions! Kyle house finished as runners up and Nicholls House was third. Congratulations to all involved and thank you to iPlay for donating the vouchers awarded to all players and coaches.

Mr Andrew OLoughlin

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