Saturday 10 October 2015

Term 4

I hope you have had a restful holiday and students are ready to return to learning.  I have been in and worked out the areas of work we still need to cover and the areas we need to revisit to ensure students have "got it". I will try to upload the term review in the next week or so.

I did find some students handed in work that was not to the standard they are capable of.  Many rushed their work, producing substandard work to get "Blast Off".  I have, therefore, decided that Room 11 will pull out of Blast Off for the first few weeks of Term 4 until the majority of students complete work to the standard they are capable of, but more importantly hand in their work on time.  I will review Blast Off after a few weeks. I understand some students will be disappointed but feel the one hour can be spent either completing required work to a good standard or expanding their learning.

This term is going to be very busy. We have the school fete in a few weeks and will be needing students and possibly parents to help set up and man the Year 6/7 stall.  We are also looking for donations of prizes for our sideshows.  The Year 7 students will also be preparing for their graduation - please make sure you have returned the forms and have arranged payment with the finance office. The year 7 students may also be visiting their High School for a day.  Room 11 is lucky to be hosting a year 10 student on work experience this term too.

Have a good weekend and stay cool in this heat and I will see all students back at school on Monday.

Thursday 17 September 2015

Term 3 Week 9

Last week saw Room 11 have a fabulous day out at Parliament House and the Migration Museum as part of our Civics and Citizenship Curriculum.  Students saw both the Upper and Lower Houses, the old parliament rooms and the library within Parliament House.  Our visit to the Migration Museum required the students to investigate primary resources to discover who had migrated to South Australia.  Students were amazed at the photographs, university certificates, clothing and personal items, the migrants had donated to the museum.  A highlight for me was watching the year 6 and 7 students roll down the hills/banks at the Memorial Gardens and strike up a game of catch involving everyone.

This week has been exceptionally busy too.  Tomorrow, we lose some students for the drive to Murray Bridge for the 24 hour Pedal Prix competition.  We also have a number of choir students heading to the Festival Theater for the Festival of Music 2015 Concert.  Tomorrow also sees our last assembly for the term.

Students are also busy completing their final term projects for Humanities, Geography and Art.  Many students presented their Science projects today and the remainder will present on Monday.

Have a great weekend.

Friday 21 August 2015

Term 3 Week 5

Wow!  We are half way through this term already.  Where has the time gone?

Students are frantically finishing off their book trailers so they can be shown during next Friday's Book Week Assembly.  Please remind your child to complete their trailer, save it to Google Drive and email it to me at vcrozier@ardps.com and Jane Moore at jmoore@ardps.com.

Room 11 will be collaborating with our Room 31 buddy class to present at the Book Week Assembly.  We will be doing "Star Wars" - good against evil/light against dark.  Notes have been sent home and students have indicated whether they have/can borrow either white or black/dark clothes.  T-shirts with pictures can be worn inside-out.  Some students have indicated they have Star Wars costumes and will be wearing those.  I do not want you to go out and spend money on an outfit - I ask you to use what you have in your wardrobes.  Students have made masks and light sabers today so will only need to turn up next Friday in either white or black clothes as agreed.

A reminder that all year 6 and 7 students have now completed three lessons in our Growth and Development topic.  Please chat to your child about what has been covered and be open to answering any queries they may have.  I am always available for students to talk to and we have a box behind my desk where students can place written questions about this topic.

Could I please remind students and parents that food can not be heated up in the Year 6/7 kitchen on Thursdays as students have their Japanese lesson.  Students must bring cold food (sandwiches, salad, etc) or a canteen order that day.  We encourage the drinking of water throughout the day and many students are not bringing a drink bottle to use/refill.  Please remind your child to pack their water bottle.  Fizzy drinks such as lemonade and cola are not to be brought to school to drink to avoid the high sugar rush as well as upset stomachs following students exercise.

A final note to remind parents to check out the school newsletter. The Education and Health  Departments  have informed schools about the high instances of flu among children.  We are asking you keep your child away from school while they are sick so they do not infect others.  Could you also remember to phone or SMS the school or email me as to the reason why they are away, eg Family Sick, etc.  Please note that medical certificates are required if your child is away from school sick for more than three consecutive days.

Hope you all stay well and warm this weekend.

Wednesday 5 August 2015

Term 3 Week 3

It has been a busy start to the week.

Students have started researching their second artist  - Wassily Kandisky this week.  Information and their piece of art is due next Thursday.

Year 7 students visited Modbury High School on Tuesday morning as the first of their visits.

All students had their first Growth and Development lesson today.  Those students away at basketball will need to see their teacher to catch up any missed work.  Please find time to discuss the topic with your child and touch base with what they are covering in class.  I am happy to help you with this topic in any way I can.

Just a friendly reminder to call the school if your child is away.  We have many students absent this week with cold/flu/sore throats - thank you for not passing on your germs to the rest of us!  We are still in urgent need of tissues for the classroom if you can supply of box.  Any donation will be gratefully accepted.

Stay safe and well.


Sunday 2 August 2015

Term 3 Week 2

Cold and flu season has certainly hit Room 11, with many students away sick. If you have not already done so, could you please supply your child with a box of tissues.  We have gone through 2 boxes in 9 days!

Growth and Development lessons will be starting in Week 3.  Students will be split according to gender and year level and will cover topics suitable for their grade.

Room 11 will be hosting the Week 3 assembly with our Room 31 buddy class.  We look forward to seeing you on Friday.

Don't forget, the best way to contact me is via vcrozier@ardps.com.  You can also send messages via ClassDojo.

Sunday 19 July 2015

Term 3 Welcome

Welcome to Term 3. I hope you have all had a restful break.  I will be working in the classroom this term but will still be receiving treatment for my throat and voice.

The Middle School team met at the beginning of the holidays and we agreed on student learning for this term.  A term overview will be posted to the website in the coming weeks.

Year 6 students will be focusing on Geography for the remainder of the year - again team-taught by Cass Neller and myself.  Year 7 students will do one term of History and Geography.Our Humanities topic for the remainder of the year will  focus on Civics and Citizenship.  There will be opportunities to show leadership skills by assisting with the sports shed, library and kitchen duties, as well as representing the school in sporting activities.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any queries.

Friday 26 June 2015

Term 2 Week 9 Update

Can students in Room 11 please remember that there is no heating or cooking of hot food (including toasties) on a Thursday.  Students are expected to take their lunch with them to Japanese and eat in Room 15.  This is to ensure I receive my full allocation of release time.  Please see me if you have any queries.

Wednesday 17 June 2015

Week 8 update

Just a brief update to keep you informed of what is happening in Room 11.

I have returned to work in a non-teaching role as I am not supposed to talk for the next few weeks in the hope the swelling of the vocal chords reduces.  As such Tom Western will be working in my room.  I have provided Tom with my term plan and we work closely each day to ensure the curriculum is being covered,  Hopefully, as the swelling goes down and sessions with a speech therapist work, I will be able to spend some time in the classroom this term.  A microphone/speaker system has been installed in Room 11 for me to use next term.

If you have any queries, please feel free to email me.

Sunday 17 May 2015

Term 2 Week 3

Thank you to parents/caregivers and students for supporting the relief teacher(s) who have worked in Room 11 the last two weeks while I tried to get my voice back, fight infection and a perforated eardrum.

I have been told all Year 7's conducted themselves well throughout the NAPLAN examinations.

Please remember, this is one test on one day and does not take into account the other unique qualities each student has.

Hopefully my voice will hold out and we can get learning back to normal.

While I was away, I have updated my assessment records and have found many gaps, where students have either not completed the work or in many cases have not handed the work in for marking.  As results stand, some students have not provided sufficient work for me to give a satisfactory grade on their mid year report.  Please discuss with your child that they hand in work to be marked this week for marking next weekend.  As Year 6 and 7's, students should be responsible for their own work.  I will not offer to back-date marking again this year unless there are extenuating circumstances.

If you would like to arrange an interview to discuss your child's work before I start writing reports, please email me with days and times you are available, and I will try to arrange a time to suit us both.



Saturday 9 May 2015

Term 2 Week 2

This week saw students participate in a special school assembly in remebrance of 100years since the Gallipoli landings.  The student art showcase is also open for students and parents to view. A $1 donation provides you with a sticky dot to place on the piece of art you like best. The winning pieces will be framed and displayed in the school.  Students were also busy making poppies for our poppy wall, on display outside the main office.

Next week sees the Year 7's taking their NAPLAN tests throughout Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  Remind your child, this is one test on one day and both you and I know what their abilities and successes are.  Make sure they get plenty of rest the night before and have breakfast each morning.  Remember, the scores from the test will tell you something, but they do not tell you everything.  There are many ways to show you are smart.  NAPLAN  does not 'test' all of the amazing thing that make you, you.

As you may be aware I have lost my voice and have a fabulous relief teacher in for me.  Lynne will be in next week for me too as I have been told not to talk for a minimum of 4 days and to rest while my perforated eardrum heals.  Hopefully, I will see you towards the end of next week.

Take care and stay warm and dry this weekend.


Saturday 2 May 2015

Term 2 Week 1

Wow! What a busy start to the term. Students settled back into the routine of learning as well as having extra activities to complete I preparation for our walk to TTG Field of Remembrance on Friday.  All students showed tremendous respect throughout the service and I am very proud of all our Ardtornish students.

Year 7's will be walking to Modbury High School on Monday for a one and a half hour transition session. We use Modbury HS to introduce Year 7 students to secondary education. All students are expected to attend even if they are attending a different high school.  Please ensure parents sign the transition note in students diaries.  Contact the school if you have any inquiries.

Thank you to those parents/caregivers who have paid for Footsteps and the performance Journey to the Centre of the Earth which is on Wednesday.  If you have not yet paid, please ensure you pay or make arrangements with Michelle Kraniac in Finance before Wednesday for both activities.

Students are busy trying out for various SAPSASA sports. The Hockey carnival is on Wednesday.  Soccer, Netball and Cross-country are all coming up in the next few weeks.  Please talk to your child about not over-committing themselves. All work must be up to date or students will not be allowed to attend sports events.  Please contact me if you have any concerns about your child.

I am aware I have not had 3-way interviews with a number of you due to my accident last term.  Mid year reports will be issued at the end of this term, however if you feel you would like to talk to me about how your child is travelling, I am available until 5:00pm Monday, from 4:30 - 5:30 Wednesday.  Please arrange through your child's diary a time you would like to meet. Alternatively, parents who have been unable to attend have 'conducted' their interview via email.  If this is more suitable, please email me with any questions to vcrozier@ardps.com

Have a good weekend.

Wednesday 1 April 2015

Three way Interviews

All Room 11 students were given a letter detailing new dates and times for 3-way interviews. I have arranged times for this week and next.  If these times are not convenient and you would like an interview next term, please write which day(s) and times you are available.  I have staff meeting on Tuesday's from 3:30 - 5:00 and Middle School Team meeting Thursday's 3:30 - 4:30/5:00.

I am unable to chat to you about your child's progress after 8:30 as this time is to assist students and parents with general enquiries and set up the day.

Sunday 29 March 2015

Week 9

It has been a while since I last communicated with you.  I am returning to work on Monday and will reorganise parent/student/teacher interviews.  I wish to thank Heath Carter who stepped into Room 11 last week for me. We kept in touch daily to discuss lessons and students and have heard wonderful stories about the help and work completed by students. I heard students worked hard on their "living museums" and the day was a success.  Preparations for Sports Day will continue next week and I will be revising work we have covered this term over the last two weeks of term.

Monday 2 March 2015

Week 6

Year 7 students have been reminded to bring in their tents by Wednesday morning as we will be practising how to put them up on Wednesday afternoon in our camp prep lesson.  Students are also reminded to bring a packet of biscuits for sharing on camp during our activity breaks.

Cold and flu season is approaching and I am asking if families can send in a box of tissues (if you have not already done so).  We are currently going through one box or more each week!

Thank you to those parents who have joined the Ardtornish Google+ community.  If you have not already done so, could you please add me (vcrozier@ardps.com) to your circles and in turn I will add you to the Room 11 2015 group.  This will ensure you receive any messages and updates pertinent to this room.  If you are not sure how to join, please follow the  link below:
http://googleattitude.blogspot.com.au/2014/11/how-to-activate-your-ardtornish-google.html

Week 5

Last Friday saw Room 11 students finally meet up with their Reception buddies from Room 31. We spent a very productive hour making friendship flowers using our hand prints. Flowers were divided for display in both classrooms to remind students of  the importance of friendship.


Our two SRC reps, Liam and Hailie were selected this week and we will be holding weekly class meetings to deal with both in-class and whole-school issues. This opportunity will also be used to teach students how to run a formal meeting and conventions such as minute-taking, agenda items and voting.

Sunday 22 February 2015

Week 4

This week saw a number of Year 6 and 7 students attend a softball carnival on Thursday.  All students demonstrated great sportsmanship and enthusiasm throughout the day.  Both the male and female teams came 6th overall.

A timely reminder for Year 7 students that the Murrylands Aquatic camp is coming up.  All payments need to be finalised (paid in full or alternative payment process negotiate with Michelle Kraniac in finance) by Friday 27 February.  All medical forms also need to be returned as quickly as possible - no later than Friday 27 Friday.

Hope you all have a great weekend.

Saturday 14 February 2015

Week 3

This week has seen Room 11 students enthralled in the first chapter of our class novel "I am David" by Anne Holm.  The students are extremely interested in the history surrounding David's internment in the concentration camp.  We will be reading and reviewing a new chapter each week this term.

Some students successfully completed a trial for the softball team and will be heading out with me and Mrs Neller on Wednesday for a softball carnival.  Forms were issued on Thursday and payment for transport need to be returned.

Some Room 11 students became library assistants this week, helping Mrs Moore in the library at lunchtimes.  This week also saw many other Middle Year students volunteer to become Sports Shed monitors and Canteen monitors.  I am so proud of the level of commitment shown by my students to step up and become leaders in the school.

Try to stay cool in the 41degree heat Saturday is forecast to bring.

Monday 9 February 2015

Week 2

After a wonderful first week of getting to know each other and getting used to our new and constantly changing timetable, week 2 produced another complexity.  Room 11 students along with all of the year sixes and sevens changed classes for Maths, PE and Camp Organisation. Only a small group of 6 students move out of Room 11 to go to Room 8, with Mr Gehling for Maths, and we receive 5  of his students in return.  So the majority have remained settled and comfortable in their surroundings. 

On Wednesday afternoon year 7 students went to the gym to begin their preparation for the Murraylands Aquatics Camp in week 7 this term. The year 6 students met in Room 6 to begin their preparation for the Sunship 3 Environmental Camp at Douglas Scrub Girl Guide Campsite, Maclaren Vale in week 6 next term.  Hopefully all students remembered to take the camp information notices home to you!  If not, please contact me to arrange some more.

Friday morning all students from rooms 4, 6, 8 and 11 came together for PE.  The 120 students were divided up between four sports - softball, hockey, cricket and athletics. Students listed their sport preference via a ballot paper done on Thursday.  

Overall, we had another good week as we settled into the Core Middle School way of learning.

Saturday 7 February 2015

First Day Back and General Class Information

What a great day, all students have made a fantastic start and the signs are good for a very successful year ahead.

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you as Room 11 parents for 2015.

Please take a few minutes each day to let your child tell you about Room 11 and how we work. There may be a few concerns about class expectations and procedures. This usually disappears after the first week.

All students have been given equipment to use in the classroom. This equipment will stay in their tray and any other pencil cases they have can be kept at home for homework tasks.

We encourage students to have water bottles in the classroom. Raw fruit and vegetable snacks are also encouraged for brain break eating throughout the day.

Thanks to the parents who sent a box of tissues to school today. We would appreciate each family donating a box of tissues for class use.
We will cover Homework, Curriculum & Behaviour Management expectations and any other class information at the aquaintance Night on Tuesday 10 February 2015.
This year most communication will be through the blog rather than using a diary. If you need to write to us please do so in the diary. Confidential notes will need to be in a sealed envelope.
We hope that all families will be able to access and participate in the class online Hub and be an active member of the Ardtornish Google Community. We have found this to be a very successful communication tool especially when parents can access the information via their phone.


or you can access the blog through our school homepage, then click on the class blogs menu link.


I look forward to working with you this year.