Thursday week 1 + School information

I was feeling a bit stressed and tired this week. So many expectations and I don't know if I am meeting them all. I am overwhelmed with the amount of lesson plans I need to write and the time it takes to do this. I feel like I can present a lesson well in my head but writing it down adds new meaning to it. So far this week I have successfully pre-assessed students on prior knowledge on the discovery of Australia and I have differentiated this students into appropriate learning groups. Whether or not my groups are actually hitting the correct ZPD, I don't know yet. Bonus- I have figured out how to play capture the flag and have put the students in charge to set it up.
 Doing less work is good when the outcome is the same.

Lessons taught today: Fitness, Oral language, Maths, History, and Non-fiction Big day.  


School information:
Below is some information about the school from their website: http://www.heathfieldps.sa.edu.au/.
We are pleased you have taken time to visit our website. We are proud of our school and its long tradition of educational excellence.
Our school motto of Harmony, Progress, Success reflects the friendly, supportive and challenging learning environment of our workplace where children to develop skills, capabilities, understandings and dispositions to be effective citizens and responsible decision makers in a changing global society.
Our school values of Respect, Optimism, Dynamic Learning and Community are reflected in our learning programs and daily practice.

Our Site Learning Plan targets resources to: "enable learners to productively engage with changing times".
Our objectives are:

• the development of learners as powerful users of literacy, numeracy and information and communication technologies
• to develop students as socially responsible, empathetic and active decision makers.

Priority areas for this year include

• Literacy and Numeracy
• ICT new Technologies
• Science
• Student Leadership and Wellbeing
• Inclusive Practice
• Environmental Sustainability
• Global Perspectives

Features of Educational Program

• Indonesian as a second language
• Strong focus in Early Intervention, Assessment/Reporting and Literacy inclusive practice
• Strong focus on information and communication technology being integrated into all learning areas
• A focus on the outdoor learning environment including involvement in the development and maintenance of classroom gardens, maintenance and care of chooks and chook house. Green thumbs gardening group
• Continued focus and priority placed on the development of social skills
• Strong student voice structures
• Very effective and consistent behaviour management practices supported by a cross age buddy system
• Learning Assistance Program (LAP) and quality Special Education Support
• Clear and effective transition processes for preschool to reception students and Yr7 to Yr8
• A preferred policy of beginning of term enrolment for Reception children. This is negotiated with the parents and school staff
• A well equipped Resource Centre
• Private instrumental music program offering tuition in piano, guitar, trombone and flute
• School choir participation in the Festival of Music
• Extensive utilisation of the expertise of local community members to enrich the learning programs
• Strong links with Heathfield High, our local secondary school

• Co-Curricula Opportunities

  Heathfield Primary School has a reputation for providing a rich plethora of extra curricula opportunities for the students. This is possible due to the dedicated staff and the supportive parent body.
  Heathfield Primary School operates as an enthusiastic, cohesive community working together to produce an excellent learning environment for children
• 
  Sourced from  http://www.heathfieldps.sa.edu.au/. retrieved on the 05/02/2014.
   

During my first week at school (the planning week) there were many discussions that reflected these schools policies and ideas. It was evident from the start that the principal was highly involved in improving student literacy and mathematics ability while also maintaining classroom focus on students well being. This was through the play is the way program. It was also evident that the principal was highly focused on those students who need extra help and attention in class. He wished to review and update all IEP's for these students with the aim to reflect on what was going well and what needed to be improved on. 

My overall first opinion of this school was that it is a very friendly, warm and welcoming school that aims to create a learning environment to help all students achieve their best.