PRINCIPAL’S REPORT ~ June 11th 2025
Curriculum Update
Science of Learning
You may hear discussion in the news about The Science of Learning. This has been around for many years. The Science of Learning studies how students acquire, process and retain knowledge to optimise teaching and learning. It integrates insights from cognitive science, psychology, neuroscience and contemporary education.
The science of learning has two important aspects. The first is understanding and clearly expressing what science tells us about how students learn best. Given that scientific research is broad and constantly evolving, this is a dynamic task requiring constant updates.
The second is the need to translate scientific findings into practical educational strategies that teachers can use. This ultimately leads back to teacher education, as change can only be driven by teachers understanding and using new approaches.
One of the areas the Science of Learning discusses is Cognitive Load Theory: This theory suggests that reducing the cognitive load (distractions and excessive information) can improve learning.
One thing that helps reduce cognitive load in students is automaticity. That is for example automatically recalling number facts or automatic word recognition when reading.
How can parents help? Earlier this year teachers have let you know about Numbots and Times Tables Rock Stars which are engaging and motivational websites designed to engage students in practice through repeated and reinforced learning of number facts:- addition, subtraction, and times tables. If they do these as many nights as possible, even for just five minutes each night, it will help them develop that automatic recall of number facts, so that in class they can focus on new learning provided by the teacher in Maths.
You can access these websites via an app or the website themselves. Students have log in details, which maybe in their diary, or else ask the teachers and keep it somewhere you can find it easily eg. Fridge door.
The websites are:-
NumBots | Motivational maths practice for schools and families.
The log in is on the top right corner. I have attached more information to guide parents.
Students are learning spelling at school, hence parents can have discussions around the words they might be learning each week or have their children practice them at home.
The students also have books they are reading at school. Taking time to ask them about their books or listen to them read also reinforces their learning.
Also, we can help students reduce their cognitive load by arriving at school on time and minimising absences, unless of course they are unwell. This means they are not trying to catch up as well as learn at the same time.
Together we can help your child get the best learning possible.
Reminder: Report writing
Teachers are currently assessing children’s work to determine students’ progress that will be reported in the Semester 1 reports which will be published, June 24th, 2025. Teachers are available should you like to meet with teachers about your child’s progress. Please contact them to make a time that is mutually suitable.
Reminder: Parent Teacher Interviews - Term 3 Tuesday 29th July 2025 12 noon – 7 pm.
At the end of last 2024 and beginning of the 2025 we did a consultation via Google Survey with all parents about Parent Engagement. The information from parents’ responses led to us to deciding, along with School Council, to include parent-teacher interviews in place of the 3 live reports we were doing each term. This is an opportunity for parents to meet with teachers without their child, to ask any questions about your child’s report or progress in general.
To cater for parents’ needs the interviews will run from 12 noon – 7 pm. This will be a student free day, so teachers are released to meet with the parents. These meetings will be without the students so parents can feel free to talk directly with the teacher about their child. This dedicated day provides a formal opportunity to touch base and find out more of your child(ren)’s progress.
The teachers at Clifton Springs PS are always available and willing to make a time to meet with you outside of the scheduled 3 way conferences and parent-teacher interviews if you have any queries.
Wellbeing and Engagement Update
Reminder: STEM Expo – Thursday Sept 11th
Save the date! Every alternate year to the school musical year we have the STEM Expo and celebrate STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths). This year it will be Thursday Sept 11th after school.
Management Update
Red Shield Day at CSPS – Friday 30th May
Friday, 30th May, we held a fundraiser for the Salvation Army who help so many families on the Bellarine Peninsula. Students wore red for a gold coin donation. Shieldy, the mascot for Salvation Army came along and interacted with the students. We fundraised $558 which has all been donated to the Salvation Army.
New Website for CSPS as of June 2nd
You will notice the newsletter is in a new format due to the new website being launched.
