Dear Parents and Students
Language Acquisition: the next big thing at NAISAK.
As many of you are aware, much of our strategic work throughout the last two years has involved reviewing our guiding statements and adapting our curriculum accordingly. One aspect of the review of our guiding statements involved establishing our High Five core values. This led to us undertaking professional training on Positive Discipline in the Classroom at the start of the year. Moving forward, providing transformational learning opportunities through our new curriculum in a manner that promotes mutual respect across our entire community will continue to be prominent features of our school.
With regards to pupils’ learning, we are focusing our efforts on improving academic literacy across the entire school. Prior to the half-term break, the Extended Leadership Team (ELT) met as a group to examine our priorities and how we will improve our students’ basic literacy skills. We reviewed academic research and strategies that come from prominent UK universities. The areas we will look to consider involve reinvigorating the use of 1-1 and/or small group reading sessions across the school. We are looking at the use of vocabulary books for students that provide easy reference to key academic terms that students need to understand to apply the knowledge they are learning. In the younger years, there is discussion of using dual language picture books. These are just a few of the strategies we are looking to employ. If you would like further information on the Bell Foundation, their assessment framework and the support strategies they provide for teachers, please click here. It is worth mentioning that we spent part of last term observing teachers’ lessons and have formed a team to look at our approach to reading, writing, speaking and listening across the school.
PTFA BBQ
Our PTFA have been working hard to prepare what promises to be a great event on Thursday afternoon. A reminder that school will close at 12 noon on Thursday. Please pick up your children promptly. The entire NAISAK community is encouraged to return for the start of the BBQ at 2:00 PM. Please note that Primary students are expected to have adult supervision please. The admission includes BBQ items, a drink and side items. Thank you to those who have already returned the letter. If you have not already, please ensure you return the letter that was sent home last week. The deadline for the letter to be returned is Tuesday. Please click here for a copy of the letter.
We look forward to seeing you at the event.