I hope everyone has enjoyed or at least survived the late burst of summer weather we are all experiencing. It has been a dry, hot summer, and this certainly held true for the recent long weekend, with another unseasonably dry and warm week again. STOP PRESS ... finally a little rain today!

Education Leaders Day / Site Learning Plan

Recently, myself and Kat Morgan attended Education Leaders Day with Principals and Preschool directors across the state. It was a day of reflecting on the public education strategy and hearing from local and international experts aligned with the strategy. Martin Westwell, the Chief Executive, spoke about the different ways we teach children rather than being ‘either/or’ and using only one particular method to have a balanced approach. Sometimes, an explicit direct approach may be required or either an inquiry/investigative approach. For us, it was very affirming to hear this, as this has been our practice here at Coro for the last few years. We will continue embedding our improvement around Literacy, Numeracy and Wellbeing for Learning, with a focus on developing Effective Learner capabilities in all our students. 

Kat Morgan and I also attended the State Literacy Summit the following day, which was again an opportunity to hear from leading researchers and practitioners in the area of Literacy. It was a good opportunity to align our school and teacher actions for improvement with current evidence-based practice. 

Our Site Learning Plan priorities have been updated for 2025. We have had a large focus in the area of Literacy over the last few years, learning and implementing the Playberry Laser program that develops phonology, reading and spelling. We also implemented the Dibels reading assessment that enables us to track and monitor reading progression throughout the year more effectively.

This year, again, there will be a stronger emphasis on Numeracy, using student data effectively to ascertain where students have strengths and weaknesses to enable teachers to program effective learning opportunities to move all students forward.

Our Student Free Day last week focused on another of the Big Ideas in Number – Place Value, where Dr Ange Rogers, a leading expert in Place Value did an excellent job of leading us through the importance and different stages of Place Value.

Our recently added third part of the Site Learning Plan, ‘Wellbeing for Learning’, will be driven by our partnership with the Real Schools organisation. In the coming weeks, we will share our complete Site Learning Plan with the whole school community.

NAPLAN

Congratulations to all our Year 3 and 5 students who are currently participating in the National Assessment Program in Literacy and Numeracy or NAPLAN continuing this week. NAPLAN is a national assessment program, used to monitor and report on student achievement in key numeracy and literacy skills. It is a lot of assessments over a short time frame and all the students are doing a great job concentrating hard and trying their best.

Sports Day

Preparations for Sports Day are well advanced, and we are very much looking forward to a fun filled day. Fingers crossed for some nice weather and we’re hoping to have lots of families in attendance. Key information about the day, including lunch ordering was sent via email last week. A reminder that sausage sizzle lunch orders close on Monday 24^th March at 8:44 am.

Parent/Teacher Interviews

Parent/Teacher interviews are scheduled to take place during Week 9 & 10 over the coming two weeks. Based on parent feedback, we will continue similar to last year’s Parent/Teacher Interviews. There will be opportunities for students to share their progress with families later in the year.

Again, this year, we are using an online booking system (School Interviews). Information about how to book an interview time was sent home on last Friday via email. A reminder that bookings will close on Friday 21^st March at 4 pm.

Nature Play Upgrade

What is Nature Play you might ask?

“Nature play is characterised by children's spontaneous and self-directed exploration of natural environments and interactions with natural elements like water, mud, rocks, trees, and loose parts like sticks, leaves, and pinecones.” 

What are we planning?

We have begun planning our nature play space upgrade, with a small committee formed incorporating two parents with experience in this area. We’ve committed the remaining fundraising money from 2024, as well as some extra school funds, to purchase some larger, more permanent items.

Our next step will include listening to students’ ideas about what they’d like to see and what they’d most like to use.

Below, you will see a flyer asking for any donations that families may have around their house or local environment. We would be very grateful for any of the items that people might have lying around or could possibly collect. Please bring any available items to the front office area where we can collect and collate them.

At Coromandel Valley Primary School, we are committed to Reconciliation as an integral part of our school culture. We are dedicated to fostering an environment that respects and acknowledges the rich cultural heritage of First Nations peoples. As part of this commitment, we seek ongoing feedback from Narragunnawali, on our Reconciliation Action Plan, to ensure it remains relevant and impactful.

Recently, we received feedback regarding the Acknowledgement of Country that is shared at each assembly. An Acknowledgement of Country is a statement that pays respect to the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we gather. It is a way to recognise the continuing connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to Country and to acknowledge their enduring culture and contributions. This practice is valued as it fosters respect, understanding, and a sense of shared history and future.

Our Year 6 Environmental Tirkanthi (Kaurna for learning) Leaders took the initiative to redevelop our acknowledgment so that it reflects our respect and gratitude. They workshopped ideas with Year 2 students, so that it reflects understanding of different learners in the community. It now reads:

We acknowledge and respect the Kaurna people and their beautiful country on which we live, learn and play together.

For this we say thank you.

We promise to look after the environment and people, too.

We also acknowledge elders, past, present and future.

Here is the land,

Here is the sky,

Here are my friends,

And here am I.

In addition to the assembly acknowledgment, each class at our school has developed its own Acknowledgement of Country. These are shared daily, reinforcing our commitment to recognising and respecting the Traditional Custodians of the land in our everyday activities. Through these actions, we aim to nurture a school culture that values diversity, promotes inclusivity, and supports the journey towards Reconciliation. We believe that by embedding these practices into our daily routines, we are taking meaningful steps towards a more inclusive and respectful community.

We’d love for families and community members to be part of our journey towards Reconciliation. One way to get involved is by joining our Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group meetings, which are advertised in the school newsletter and on Seesaw.

We are aware that there have been some nut products packed in student lunch boxes this year.  Please be aware of the Coromandel Valley Primary School’s Allergies and Nut Awareness Policy which can be found on the school website.

We ask that you do not send food to school that contains nuts or nut products. This includes products such as peanut paste, ‘Nutella’, most nuts, peanut cooking oil and other foods that may contain nut products.

At Coro we aim to create a safe and supportive learning environment. Students, parents, carers and staff may have anaphylactic (severe allergic) conditions that include nut allergies. This means that exposure at school may constitute a risk to their health and wellbeing. While it is not possible to totally guarantee that the environment will be completely free of potential hazards due to current food processing practices.

We also ask if donating to the MAD room, no tissue boxes, toilet rolls, egg cartons or packaging that has come into contact with nuts, please.

The Receptions classes participated in a ‘Mini Festival’ incursion led by Nature Play SA. Students had a wonderful time participating in loose parts play, potion making, cubby building, painting and water play. The students showed excellent collaboration and creativity to develop our approaches to learning. This incursion linked into our inquiry into how we express ourselves through play and gave students the opportunity to practise their self-management, communication and social skills in a different setting.

My favourite part was the water runs. Jude

My favourite part was building a cubby, but then it broke so I moved on to another cubby. Hazel

My favourite part was making the potions and it was super cold. Beau

My favourite was the water runs and I really loved it and I was playing with Jude. Albert

My favourite thing was water play because I enjoyed building with the tubes - Jack 

My favourite activity at nature play was building the cubby houses - Ivy 

I enjoyed making the cubby houses because I like hiding - Charlie

As part of our current Inquiry into identity and character traits, 5T, 5BG and 4/5S welcomed artist, Cathy Gray for an art incursion.

Cathy shared with the classes her work and the processes and thinking behind the creation of her own artwork, including Mandalas. She provided students with artwork guides and personalised feedback to support them in creating their own Mandalas to represent their own identities.

Students enjoyed the mindfulness required to repeat patterns in a circular motion and reflected and provided feedback on their peers’ artwork.

A Busy Start to the Term at the Library!

The new term is off to a bustling start in the library, with students diving into some fresh new reads, exciting literary events and the reopening of the highly anticipated CORO Café!

CORO Café - open for business
Book enthusiasts and connoisseurs of fine dining alike had something to celebrate over the last two weeks with the CORO Café opening its doors again! This exciting activity is aimed at tantalising taste buds with a selection of delicious classics and delectable new reads for students to discover and enjoy.

If you are after new reading suggestions for your child to explore, that will promote literacy and reading enjoyment, our library staff are always on hand to provide recommendations!

Reading together as a family is a powerful way to connect, spark conversations, and learn from diverse perspectives. First Nations storytelling has been passed down for generations, and many incredible books bring these rich traditions, histories, and cultures to life. Here are five Australian First Nations books to share with your family:

	Somebody’s Land – Adam Goodes & Ellie Laing (Illustrated by David Hardy) A gentle yet powerful introduction to First Nations history, this book encourages young readers to think about the land they live on and the impact of colonisation.
	Welcome to Country – Aunty Joy Murphy & Lisa Kennedy This beautifully illustrated book explains the meaning and importance of a Welcome to Country ceremony, fostering respect for Aboriginal cultures.
	Respect – Aunty Fay Muir & Sue Lawson (Illustrated by Lisa Kennedy) A moving book that teaches children about the importance of respect for culture, Country, and each other, offering a valuable lesson in kindness and understanding.
	Finding Our Heart – Thomas Mayor (Illustrated by Blak Douglas) This book explains the Uluru Statement from the Heart in a way that is accessible to children, encouraging families to reflect on truth-telling and reconciliation.
	Bindi – Kirli Saunders (Illustrated by Dub Leffler) A verse novel about a young girl navigating friendship, responsibility, and environmental activism within her community.

These books provide a wonderful opportunity to celebrate First Nations voices, deepen understanding, and inspire important conversations. All these books are available in our school library. Which one will you read first?

Ngaityalya (respect/thank you)

Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group Members

In Week 5, from Monday, February 24th to Friday, February 28th, we were delighted to welcome three student teachers—Ryan, Amy, and Sae—and their professor, Jang, from Maebashi International University in Japan.

They observed the first Japanese lesson of each class that week, gaining insight into how students learn and the teaching techniques used in Australia. This gave them a deeper understanding of the Australian educational system.

For the second Japanese lesson in each class, the student teachers took an active role in teaching. Sae (Saeka) introduced the Japanese seasonal event, Hinamatsuri (Doll Festival for girls), to the Year 2 and Year 3 classes. The students had fun colouring Hina dolls and learned related vocabulary.
Amy (Ami) taught the Year 4 and Year 4/5 classes about Hinamatsuri as well, and the students enjoyed making their own origami Hina dolls. They also practiced writing Hiragana and decorated their origami dolls.
Ryan (Ryota) shared a fun and creative lesson with the Year 5 and Year 6 classes on how to create Japanese hand fans called Sensu. Each student received a plain fan and learned about lucky Japanese plants. They then designed and decorated their hand fans with their own artwork.

Our students greatly benefited from this cultural exchange. They not only learned about Japanese customs, language, and art but also had the chance to engage with the student teachers in a way that made learning both fun and memorable. The opportunity to interact with teachers from a different country broadened their global perspectives, fostering cultural understanding and curiosity.

I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone for their warm support in welcoming the Japanese student teachers to our school. I hope this exchange has been an enriching experience for both our students and the visiting teachers. We look forward to the opportunity to welcome more international visitors in the future!

Hiroyuki Yamamoto

Japanese Language Teacher

PSMF Choir Combine Choir Rehearsal – Eden Hills PS

On Thursday 27th February, our Coro PSMF choir had their first excursion to Eden Hills PS. They enjoyed the walk and train ride to and from Eden Hills PS, meeting other students with the love of singing. Robin, the coordinator of the Public Schools Music Festival taught them some songs from the 2025 repertoire and some fun singing games. Everyone had lots of fun.

Big thankyou to our parent helpers and Mrs Todd for accompanying us on our excursion.

Mrs Stutterd

SASTA Oliphant Science Awards at Coromandel Valley Primary School

WHO? R-6 students, individually or groups of 2-3.  I would encourage everyone to enter.

WHAT? The SASTA Oliphant Science Awards are held annually in August and involve many scientific disciplines and ways of presenting student understanding and discovery. The projects will be displayed during the Science Alive weekend exhibition at the Adelaide Showgrounds.

The categories are posters, multimedia, photography, crystal investigation, scientific writing, scientific inquiry, games, robotics and programming and models and inventions.

WHERE? Once a category is chosen, students work on this project in their own time at home.  If there is enough interest, a lunch time drop-in session for students will be available during “even” Thursday lunchtimes during Term 2.

WHY? It is a wonderful opportunity for students, though self-directed learning to further develop critical and creative thinking through exploring and applying their understanding to an area of science they are curious about.   It develops their science knowledge and understanding, it shows their work to a broader audience, it motivates students to complete a project and work collaboratively with others (except with posters). There are money prizes to be won!

WHEN? Please return this note by Friday 16 May.
Student registrations forms need to come to Mrs Todd or be dropped off at the front office.

The entry fee can be paid on the QKR app ($11 individual, $19 group).

June 6-29 – Multimedia, science writing & inquiry, robotics and programming online submissions due.

July 26 - Programming, apps & Robotics judging day (by appointment).

July 29 - Crystal investigations, games, models and inventions, photography and poster entries are due.

August 1-3 Open Day at Science Alive!

How can I find out more?

Sarah.Todd476@schools.sa.edu.au – or see the link on seesaw!

Oliphant Science Award Registration Form

Thanks to all the local community who have engaged with the Friends of Frank Smith Park, its been great to see the eager learners of Coromandel Valley engaging with all of our invited guests at all of our events. 

We're working towards a big event at the end of 2025- but in preparation for it, we're seeking a local nature photographer who is willing to volunteer some time with us. If you, or someone you know is able to help out - please contact us at Franksmithpark@gmail.com. We hope to see you at our next event on April 6th!'

Sarah Todd - on behalf of the Friends of Frank Smith Park group.