Week 4 Term 3

Social Justice Week - This week we have been reflecting upon what Social Justice means

and how we can follow the example of Jesus and Saint Mary MacKillop to show compassion

for others.

Thursday the 9th of August is PJ Day and staff and students are invited to come to

school in their pyjamas to raise awareness by thinking about and praying for those less

fortunate than ourselves. We thank the St Peter’s community for supporting our social

justice initiatives this year:

Project Compassion Caped Crusaders Day, Prayer Flags for Asylum Seekers, Mini-Vinnies

Winter Appeal, Eco-Marine Wildlife Group, St Vincent de Paul Fun Day, Year 2 Rosies

donations.

9 Aug – Pyjama Day 10 Aug – Prep-Yr 2 Athletics Carnival (approx. 8.30am-10.30am) 13 Aug – Fete & F&F Meeting including ‘Talking Technology & Learning’ ICAS National Testing – Maths

15 Aug – Ekka Holiday 17 Aug – QCMF Senior Choir Assembly (4B) 21 Aug – Book Week Parade 22 Aug – Visiting Authors 22-24 Aug – Year 5 Camp 24 Aug – Year 1 Night School Activity 27 Aug – Year 5 St Helena Island Excursion

PRINCIPAL

Bronwyn Buckley

APA

Robert Campbell

ACTING APRE

Kathleen Crawford

PRIMARY LEARNING

LEADER

Jo Cridland

PARISH PRIEST

Fr Baiyi Gong

Ekka Holiday for St Peters is

next Wednesday 15 August

Last week we celebrated Catholic Education Week with our focus

celebrating the horizons we reach through being a community in learning!

Sit down with a cuppa and take 5 to hear the some of our learners and

leaders … Click the image below to watch the video!

STARTS THIS FRIDAY - COME FOR ONE WEEK... COME FOR FOUR! ALL WELCOME TO AN

AFTERNOON OF FUN AND FAITH!

Starting on 10th August and going over 4 Fridays, all Primary school-aged children are invited to join us after school

from 3:30pm - 5:30pm.

$5 per child for 4 sessions, or $10 per family for the 4 sessions. Afternoon tea, fun activities, games, singing, scripture,

craft, drama, and more!

Survey reminder - Thank you to all in our community who have responded to our school survey. Your feedback is

important to us and will help us keep improving. If you are yet to complete the survey and would like to have your say,

there is still time. So far, we have 74 parent surveys submitted. All responses are anonymous. If you have any questions

about the survey, please don't hesitate to contact Kathleen Crawford prochedale@bne.catholic.edu.au Thank you for

your time.

Confirmation Workshops - Sacramental Preparation workshops will be held on Sunday the 12th of August and

Sunday the 26th of August at 10:15am following the 9am mass at St Peter’s Church. The Sacrament of Confirmation will

be celebrated on Friday the 7th of September at 6:30pm.

News from the Primary Learning Leader

In line with our whole school goals, all classes at St Peter’s

are participating in targeted work in reading and writing.

During the last week I had lots of visitors to my office to

celebrate their progress in these areas. Congratulations to all

our young authors.

ICAS Mathematics - Our ICAS testing in Mathematics will

take place next Monday, the 13th of August at 8.30.

Kind Regards,

Jo Cridland

Primary Learning Leader (PLL)

21st Century Classrooms - Part of our forward planning and visioning for St Peter’s is around our school

environment aligning with how 21st century students learn. Not only are we looking at pedagogy (teaching) and how access to technology can improve learning outcomes but also the physical space that we learn in. This year both Yr. 5 and Yr1 classes have been using targeted classroom design aimed at accommodating how students learn.

The 6 key elements of classroom design are

1. Flexibility of furniture and space 2. Areas for collaborative learning and independent study 3. Facilitation of movement 4. Fostering of inspiration and creativity 5. Technology 6. Light and bright colours At the end of this newsletter an article explains more around the elements of a 21st century classrooms.

Student of the week Award

Winners –

Week 3 TERM 3

PA Josh G

PB Jerry Y

PC Sumer D

1A

1B

1C

2A Gabriella B

2B Mikel Y

2C Ari L

3A Isabella E

3B Lachlan R, Michael K

3C

4A

4B Dean S

4C Isabella D

5A Cooper S, Isabella C, Mrs Bruni

5B

6A Brodie M

6B

Music News - The senior choir are performing as part of the Queensland Catholic Music Festival at Villanova College

at Coorparoo on Friday August the 17th. The performance is in the Tolle Lege Room at Villanova College. The choir will

perform at 10.30am. The music festival involves many students from around Brisbane. It is a celebration of music and

is a very positive event for the choir. The children will sing two songs at the event. Every choir will be acknowledged

with a Gold, Silver or Bronze certificate. Singing in this event is an exciting performance opportunity, that allows the

choir to experience performing.

Families are welcome to meet the choir at Villanova College to support our young singers. There is a cost of entry of

$5.00 per adult. The Senior Choir will be accompanied by Mrs Cridland, Mrs Parlamas, Mrs Northey and Mr

Amedee. Please arrive at school at 8.15am to board the bus at 8.30am. The return bus will leave Villanova College at

11.15am. Children can bring a water bottle and a first break snack to take on the bus. First break times may vary, but

children will have time to eat. Children will return to class after the choir morning.

Many thanks for the support of Mrs Carmel Northey for her piano accompaniment and Mr Chris Amedee for his guitar

and voice work. We have had two experienced musicians supporting the choir as they take on this challenge.

Tuckshop News - There will be no special menu for P-2 Athletics Carnival this Friday. Please order from the Winter

Menu as usual for both breaks.

There will be a limited number of House Colour Jelly Cups for purchase over the counter on Friday only ($1.50).

As their P&F event, the Year 1s will be tempting you with delicious sweet morsels to purchase from their Cake Stall at the P-2 Athletics Carnival. A nice accompaniment to coffee or frappes for sale from the Beanzlander coffee van! Lynda will be serving coffees after 8am.

Tuckshop Roster

8.30am-11am 8.30am-11am 8.30am-11am 11am-1.30pm 11am-1.30pm 11am-1.30pm

Thursday 9 August Tracey D’E Kristy S Louisa P Tracey D’E Kristy S Louisa P Erie P Sarah D

Erie P

Friday 10 August Kerri M Heidi P Maria M Kerri M Heidi P Maria M Maree H HELPER

NEEDED

Louise P Angela W

Thursday 16 August Tracey D’E Louisa P HELPER NEEDED

Tracey D’E Louisa P HELPER NEEDED

Friday 17 August Kerri M Amorita O Krystal C Kerri M Amorita O Krystal C HELPER NEEDED

HELPER NEEDED

Angela W

Uniform Shop News – Our Uniform Shop is now open twice a week! Come in

and check out our new formal school shirts on either Tuesdays at 2.30pm or Fridays at 8.15am. Purchases can be made via Qkr! at any time and will come home with students.

Rugby 7’s Competition - Congratulations to our Year 6 students and Mr Gaffney for their great participation, sporting

behaviour and effort at the recent Sunnybank 7’s. We are proud of you! Thanks also for all the parental support at the event.

The following article from https://www.envisionexperience.com/blog/6-key-elements-of-21st-century-classroom-design provides an overview of some key ideas. 21st Century Skills 6 Key Elements of 21st Century Classroom Design Envision July 21, 2017 In the past century, we as educators have learned a great deal about the process of learning. It is only within the last few years that educators and administrators have started seriously considering a new classroom design: one that could better accommodate our growing knowledge of effective education methods. This redesigned classroom would facilitate learning experiences and support the movement toward student-directed learning. In addition, it would successfully foster 21st century skills, such as communication, collaboration, problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, and leadership.

Here are 6 key elements of this new classroom design:

1. Flexibility of furniture and space 2. Areas for collaborative learning and independent study 3. Facilitation of movement 4. Fostering of inspiration and creativity 5. Technology 6. Light and bright colours

#1 – Flexible Furniture and Space: 21st century classrooms need to accommodate a variety of learning activities, and so they must be flexible, with “zones” designated for different activities. Furniture can be arranged in nooks, each with a designated purpose, such as a lab or a tech zone, group seating for collaborative projects, and a “quiet space” for reading and independent study. One goal of 21st century learning is to become more student-centric, empowering students to decide how they learn best. In a world of introverts, extroverts, collaborators, lone wolves, dreamers, and designers, we can’t merely cater to a single type of learner. An “agile” learning environment supports a variety of learning styles, while enabling teachers to accommodate different students’ needs.

#2 – Collaborative and Independent Learning: Open, flexible spaces allow students to come together to share, collaborate, and create. Research shows that people are social learners and the latest trends in 21st century learning advocate problem-based learning, cooperative learning, and reciprocal (peer) teaching. Assignments and hands-on projects that require team collaboration nurture these trends. Our 21st century classroom must support these collaborative, social learning activities, as well as hands-on experimentation and discovery. Portable furniture, group seating, and open spaces for active, experiential projects help accomplish these goals. Conversely, certain aspects of learning require quiet, independent study, including reflection and processing of information. This time and space should also be built into our curricula and our classrooms. Another interesting idea is to add a “break room” within the classroom, where students can rest their brains, especially if they get “stuck” on a certain problem. Experts believe that when the brain takes a break, it continues to work unconsciously at finding a solution, processing, and applying newly acquired information.

#3 – Embracing Movement: Let’s face it: children aren’t built to sit still. When students have the chance to move, both their brain and their circulation are refreshed. The exercise and change of pace help enhance concentration and reduce fidgeting and daydreaming. 21st century design accommodates students’ natural need to move, while providing the optimal flexibility. Movement-enhancing classroom elements include: workstations, standing tables (for lab work, etc.), yoga mats, exercise balls, kidney tables and sofas. For maximum functionality and accessibility, lower your whiteboards and tables, to accommodate students of all heights.

#4 – Fostering Inspiration and Creativity: If we expect students to develop and use their creativity, we need to give them an environment that is conducive to inspiration and new ideas.

• #5 – Incorporating Technology: You know you can’t avoid technology these days. Students love devices, and those gismos, while distracting at times, are actually beneficial for placing information at students’ fingertips. If you can equip your classroom with such devices as computers, video screens, and tablets, your students will be motivated to research and learn new things. Tech devices also allow students to stay engaged and move at their own pace.

#6 – Incorporating Light and Bright Colours: We’re sure you guessed that technology would be part of the 21st century classroom, but did you guess “light”? Yes, researchers have determined that bright light (especially natural light) and vibrant colour are conducive to brain activity and learning. In one study, learning capabilities improved 7-26% when students were exposed to adequate natural lighting. Proper lighting also reduces headaches. In this new classroom, however, we must be both flexible and tech-friendly, so it’s important to include options for dimming the lights, to make devices or video screens easier to see. Research also shows that rooms with a balance of light and bright colours can positively impact learning. Colour affects the cortex, nervous system, and hormones, which in turn affect our level of alertness and productivity, as well as our emotional state.

Setting the Tone: An important benefit of your new-age classroom will be its effect on your students' perception. Not only is it new, fun, and exciting, but it demonstrates your commitment to innovation and student-centric learning. You are likely to experience a boost in motivation yourself, as you discover the many uses and benefits of your new design.

Of course, innovation doesn’t end at classroom design. Incorporate the concepts of 21st century learning in the lessons that you present for your students, being sure to:

• Cultivate creativity • Emphasize the learning process vs the end product • Schedule time for discussion and reflection • Customize learning for different types of learners • Reinforce 21st century skills