Good Article About Coding

Thought I would share this article about why coding is so good for your child's learning. The children are really excited about our Coding work. This week we are looking at an app called Lightbot One Hour Coding, this is a programming puzzle game which teaches them about control-flow concepts like instruction sequencing, procedures and loops just by guiding the robot to move and light up tiles and solving levels. It's another introduction level to programming. The versions we are using are free, the paid version has even more levels to solve.

Click on the link to read why coding is more than a game.
Why coding is more than a game.

Coding

Last Thursday we started to introduce Coding to the Year 6 children. Coding is the behind the scenes instrtructions that make all games, apps and websites work. The whole emphasis behind this is computational thinking, the ability to break down a problem, see what's important and use that to solve it. They have to use trial and error and perseverance to reach a solution. We are hoping that these skills will transfer to and enhance their maths skills.
For the first session we used Blockly Mazes and the children were highly motivated to reach Level 10.
You can see the engagement in the photos ( they didn't even look up).

Girls Soccer Gala day

I know we are stating the obvious but the soccer gala day has been postponed. No new date has been set as yet.

Canberra Letter

This is a copy of the letter that will be sent home Week 1 of Term but we thought we would post it on here to give you more time to read it.
Please advise us as soon as possible if your child will not be attending this excursion as it will change the costs. Although it is hard to let them go for two nights it is invaluable for their learning of  how our government works and it is good practise for next year where they will be attending Year7 camps.






Our Lady of the Rosary School

8 Diana  Avenue, Kellyville  2155

Phone:  9629 2566; Fax:  9629 2148   ______________________________________________________________

Website:  www.olorkellyville.catholic.edu.au               Email:  olorkellyville@parra.catholic.edu.au

Canberra Excursion

Mon 25^th, Tues 26^th, & Wed 27^th May 2015

20^th April 2015

Dear Parents

Our excursion Canberra is fast approaching (Week 6, term 2) and we would like to share some final details with you.

By visiting Canberra, students develop a deeper understanding of how we’re governed and our Australian Identity, fostering a sense of national pride.

Participating in a wide range of programs in Canberra builds student knowledge of how we are governed, how laws are made, electoral processes and rights, Australian identity, history and heritage.  Our visits to the Electoral Education Office and Parliament House will give our students an inside look at the way our country is run and we will participate in a mock making of a law at Parliament House.  By visiting the Australian War Memorial our students are given the opportunity to gain a greater appreciation of the sacrifices that have been made to help Australia develop into the nation it is today.

The final cost of the excursion will be $351.00 (has been billed divided over Term 1, 2 & 3 School Fees)  This includes bus travel, 2 breakfasts, 2 morning teas, 2 afternoon teas and 3 dinners.  The children will need to bring their own packed morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea for day one.

All Year 6 students attending will be required to be at school by 6.00am on Monday 25 May in preparation for a 6.30am departure.  The buses are expected to arrive back to school  at approximately 7pm on Wednesday 27^th May.

You will find attached a checklist of what to pack for the 3 days excursion.  Cameras and mobile phones are permitted at parents’ discretion.  The children are responsible for the safety and security of these items.  School rules still apply as to the usage of phones throughout the excursion.  It is Mr Spradbrow’s request that phones are switched off at 9pm and are not to be turned on before 7am.

This excursion is an important part of your child’s learning and development.  It is also a fun time that will be long remembered.

(For emergencies please contact school mobile – 0409299655)

Yours sincerely

Stephen Bamford

Stage 3 Co-ordinator

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Volunteer Parent Helpers

A small number of positions are available for parent helpers to assist on the Canberra Excursion.  If you are interested in attending the excursion as a parent helper would you please fill in the details below to allow you to be considered for this excursion. (If volunteering it is essential that you have a current working with children check.

Name………………………………………….                                       Class …………………………

Signature: ………………………………………………………..          Date: ………………………………………..

Our Lady of the Rosary School

8 Diana  Avenue, Kellyville  2155

Phone:  9629 2566; Fax:  9629 2148   ______________________________________________________________

Website:  www.olorkellyville.catholic.edu.au               Email:  olorkellyville@parra.catholic.edu.au

Canberra – Year 6 Travel Guidelines

·       It is important that we remember our school rules.  Year 6 are representing our school during the three days that we are staying in Canberra.

·       Respect Ourselves

·       Respect Others

·       Respect the Environment. (Please do not drop rubbish on the ground as we move about Canberra.)

·       Never leave your group without permission.

·       Please listen and follow directions given by tour guides.

·       Every group is responsible for the ongoing cleanliness of their rooms.

·       Respect others after lights out.

·       Do not tamper with any equipment when moving about or whilst in your rooms.

·       Damage to property will incur a charge to the individual

·       Closed in shoes and a hat must be worn at all times.

·       Do not enter out of bounds areas.

·       Respect male and female areas.  Enter no room other than your own.

·       No glass to be brought on the excursion please.

·       Please refrain from bringing lollies and junk food.

·       No gum please

·       Be responsible for your own property

·       Be polite and respectful to others at all times.

Gear Checklist

·       iPad-  We would like the children to bring their IPad to take images and information on. We will be using these to create things after our excursion. It would be purely up to the parents discretion as we understand the risk.

·       Morning Tea, Lunch and Afternoon snack for day 1

·       Wear closed walking shoes. (Thongs/sandals are not appropriate for day wear)

·       Raincoat (regardless of forecast)

·       Hat

·       Sunscreen

·       Day Pack with your name on it (small back pack for day walks.)

·       Underwear and socks

·       Long pants (2 pairs)

·       Toiletries

·       Jumpers/Jacket (appropriate for the cold season)

·       Pyjamas

·       Toiletries

·       Camera (optional)

·       Garbage Bag for Wet/Dirty Clothes

NB please nametag all items and please ensue all medication is labelled clearly and passed on to your child’s class teacher before you get on the bus at school.