Issue 15 – The Hall Happenings 17 September 2025

Principal’s Messages

Wrapping Up Term 3

As we come to the end of another busy and productive term, I would like to sincerely thank all our parents and caregivers for your continued support of our school priorities. Together, we have worked towards achieving our Annual Improvement Plan (AIP) goals, particularly in the area of Improvement in English. Your partnership in ensuring that students are present, engaged, and striving towards their best has been invaluable.

A very special thank you must also go to our P&C for their enormous efforts in bringing the Environmental Festival to life. Their planning, organisation, and dedication made the event a huge success. We also thank our wider community for coming along and supporting the evening. It was a wonderful night filled with smiling faces, community spirit, and plenty of fun for everyone.

As the school holidays commence on Friday, we remind families to take advantage of this time to rest and recharge. We also ask that you keep an eye out for any suspicious activity around the school and report it to School Watch on 13 17 88. Please also note that the first day of Term 4 falls on a public holiday, so school will recommence on Tuesday, 7th October.

On our first week back, we will also be hosting Parent–Teacher Interviews on Tuesday 7th October and Wednesday 8th October. These interviews can be booked through Schoolzine, and a link will be emailed directly to parents and caregivers. These meetings are an important opportunity to celebrate your child’s progress, discuss their learning goals, and plan for the term ahead. We strongly encourage all families to book a time, as the conversations provide valuable insights and strengthen the partnership between home and school.

Thank you for a wonderful Term 3!

Kind regards,
Mrs Katie Bull
Principal

Head of Diverse Learning Team

Regards

Head of Curriculum

School Priority 1 – Improvement in English C and Above

Creative Writing Workshop with Rockhampton State High School

Last week, we were fortunate to welcome Creative Writing students from Rockhampton State High School into our classrooms. They spent the morning working with our Year 3 students, sharing their knowledge of the writing process and inspiring our budding authors.

The high school students led small group rotations, each focusing on a different element of narrative writing, such as characters, setting, plot, problem, and resolution. This hands-on approach gave our students the chance to explore and develop their ideas in fun and engaging ways, while learning directly from older students who are passionate about writing.

By the end of the workshop, each group had brainstormed all the necessary elements to continue crafting their own stories. The enthusiasm in the room was evident, and our students left feeling motivated and equipped with new skills to apply in their writing.

We thank Rockhampton State High School and their Creative Writing students for giving their time and expertise—it was a wonderful example of collaboration and the power of sharing knowledge across schools.

Assessment

As the last week of Term Three comes to an end, students are finalising their assessments.  To support our students during this, we are maintaining our routines.  This provides many benefits for our students.  We will continue our Whole School Literacy Routine and the following elements:

• Do Now
• Retrieval Practice
• Rapid Recall Routines
• Explicit Instruction Lessons

The benefits of maintaining these processes are:

Do Now

Using “Do Now” on Assessment Mornings: Why It Matters

Starting the morning with a “Do Now” activity helps students enter assessments ready to succeed. Key benefits include:

• Immediate engagement: Students focus right away, reducing off-task behaviour.
• Activation of prior knowledge: Quick review primes memory for assessment content.
• Anxiety reduction: Predictable routines help students feel calm and secure.
• Reinforcement of expectations: Encourages independence and responsibility from the first minute.
• Boosted retrieval practice: Revisiting prior learning strengthens long-term memory.
• Smooth transition: Prepares students mentally for the assessment, reducing the jump from general chatter to test conditions.

Consistent use of “Do Now” is a simple, evidence-informed strategy to maximize student readiness and confidence.

Retrieval Practice

Retrieval practice is one of the most effective ways to strengthen long-term memory. Instead of just rereading notes, students practise recalling information through quizzes, flashcards, or “brain dumps.” Research shows this improves retention and helps students feel more confident and prepared for assessments.

Rapid Recall Routines

Boosting Assessment Success: The Power of Rapid Recall

A short rapid recall routine before an assessment can make a big difference in how students perform and retain knowledge. Here’s why it works:

1. Strengthens Memory – Actively recalling information reinforces the pathways needed for long-term retention.
2. Reduces Cognitive Load – Key facts rehearsed beforehand free up mental space for problem-solving and deeper thinking.
3. Builds Confidence – Quick wins in recalling knowledge calm nerves and boost self-belief.
4. Improves Accuracy and Speed – Primed memory helps students retrieve information more quickly and with fewer errors.
5. Supports Long-Term Learning – Repeated retrieval strengthens durable memory, helping students retain knowledge beyond the assessment.
6. Activates Prior Knowledge – Connecting new questions to what students already know deepens understanding and supports meaningful application.

In short: A rapid recall routine isn’t just a warm-up—it’s a research-backed strategy that primes students’ brains, builds confidence, and improves both immediate performance and long-term learning.

Explicit Instruction Lessons

The Power of a Brief Explicit Instruction Lesson Before Assessments

Research shows that a short, focused Explicit Instruction (EI) lesson just before an assessment can significantly support student success. These lessons help activate prior knowledge, allowing students to recall what they’ve learned more easily. They clarify expectations and highlight key skills, reducing confusion and cognitive load so students can focus on applying their knowledge. A brief EI review also boosts confidence, reinforces learning, and provides an opportunity for students to ask questions or practice essential strategies, all of which can improve retention, recall, and overall performance.

Term Four English Units

Throughout Week 10, teachers will participate in a Before Moderation session.  The purpose of Before Moderation is to ensure all staff develop a shared understanding of the next unit, aspects of the Achievement Standard being taught and assessed, the assessment task and marking guide, what the students will need to know and do and start planning the teaching and learning sequence.

The Term Four English Units are:

School Priority 1 – Access and Engagement

Routines

Continuing routines in the last week of school provides students with a sense of consistency, stability, and purpose during a time that can often feel unsettled. Familiar structures help maintain positive behaviour, reduce anxiety, and support smooth classroom management when excitement levels are high. By keeping established routines in place, teachers ensure that students remain engaged in learning and transition positively into the holiday break. It also reinforces the message that every day of school is valuable, encouraging students to finish the year with focus and respect for their learning environment.

Positive Behaviour for Learning

Week 10 Focus is Bee Successful.  This focus is about recognising and celebrating all the positive behaviours that related to our four school expectation from across the whole term.  It is always pleasing to see our students and staff embrace this positive celebration.

As we move into Term Four, we will start by reviewing all four expectations – Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe, and Be a Learner.

Floral Friday – Thank You!

A big thank you to everyone who joined in the spirit of Floral Friday by wearing colourful floral outfits for our free dress day. The sea of bright patterns and tropical prints brought a wonderful sense of joy and celebration to our school. This theme also connects to Torres Strait Islander culture, where floral designs hold a special place in community celebrations and gatherings.

Your participation not only made the day fun and engaging for students and staff, but also supported our fundraising efforts. We truly appreciate your generosity and enthusiasm in embracing the theme and helping make the day such a success.

Kind regards,
Ms Tracey Vine
HODC 

Outstanding Achiever’s Awards

Student of the Week

Congratulations to the following students who received Student of the Week awards.

Circle of Security

Tuning in to Kids Parenting Program