Background of the School
My school caters for students from Kindergarten through to Year 6. It is located in the city of Rockingham in Western Australia. It was opened in 1996. However, in 2017 the school proudly became an independent public school. The school also has a strong affiliation with the Royal Australia Navy and have named their colour teams after Australian submarines. The school is located in a low social economic area, with students who struggle with basic needs such as nutrition / healthy food. I have observed these issues through students who were in my classroom, and around school and have discussed these issue with my mentor and other teachers in the school.
The school is renowned for and prides itself for their CHAMPS initiative, champ stands for: Caring, Healthy, Active, Motivated, Positive and School. This initiative encourages and sets a standard for all students to engage in warm, caring and positive relationships and environments. The school also has a strong anti-bullying policy.
My personal interest revolves around teaching and developing ways I can enhance my students learning needs, and I believe that good nutrition and healthy food helps develop student engagement in classroom activities. The school has joined the food bank programmed, which is a great way to get parents and the wider community involved in school. The breakfast program is a great way for parents, teachers, the school and the wider community to interact and collaborate.
This term I have had the privilege of working with a Year 5 classroom for my final professional experience. In Term 1, the classroom consisted of 33 students, however due to extenuating circumstances, 5 students from the classroom left the school. The students’ academic abilities range from very high to very low. My spelling group was separated into 3 groups, low, medium and high level. The groups are categorized through the use of the Diana Rigg test, which is done at the end of each term. For numeracy the two Year 5 classes are broken down into higher and lower ability classes. I had the privilege of teaching the higher ability students. The challenges that my class and other teachers faced are alcohol, drug abuse and also family traumas/hardships, and that is why there are a few students with behavioral problems in the classroom. There are two students in particular who have missed more than 50 percent of school this year. However, it has been an absolute privilege to work with my colleagues and the students I have taught. I am happy that I will be working with them next term through relief work.
The school is renowned for and prides itself for their CHAMPS initiative, champ stands for: Caring, Healthy, Active, Motivated, Positive and School. This initiative encourages and sets a standard for all students to engage in warm, caring and positive relationships and environments. The school also has a strong anti-bullying policy.
My personal interest revolves around teaching and developing ways I can enhance my students learning needs, and I believe that good nutrition and healthy food helps develop student engagement in classroom activities. The school has joined the food bank programmed, which is a great way to get parents and the wider community involved in school. The breakfast program is a great way for parents, teachers, the school and the wider community to interact and collaborate.
This term I have had the privilege of working with a Year 5 classroom for my final professional experience. In Term 1, the classroom consisted of 33 students, however due to extenuating circumstances, 5 students from the classroom left the school. The students’ academic abilities range from very high to very low. My spelling group was separated into 3 groups, low, medium and high level. The groups are categorized through the use of the Diana Rigg test, which is done at the end of each term. For numeracy the two Year 5 classes are broken down into higher and lower ability classes. I had the privilege of teaching the higher ability students. The challenges that my class and other teachers faced are alcohol, drug abuse and also family traumas/hardships, and that is why there are a few students with behavioral problems in the classroom. There are two students in particular who have missed more than 50 percent of school this year. However, it has been an absolute privilege to work with my colleagues and the students I have taught. I am happy that I will be working with them next term through relief work.