Friday April 30th, 2010
NAPLAN: the struggle between the unions and the Federal government continue and because there is no sign of compromise the status quo remains. In fact it probably gets worse. The DET is trying to ensure the NAPLAN tests go ahead. It appears as if there is a mounting groundswell against the testing because of what is done to the data and how it is released to the media. Please remember, the argument is over the My School web site not the actual tests. The publication of "Leagues Tables" in the US and England have not improved the literacy and or numeracy results of students. If anything it has made schools shift their curriculum to include huge slabs of work focussed on these types of tests. I hope we in Australia never get to this stage. Schools and in particular Crestwood are about much more than a test on a day. As well I am not convinced about what governments will do with the results. Will we get more funding for our STLA (Support Teacher Learning Assistance) if our results drop? I don't think so. Will other schools get more funding if their literacy and numeracy results are low? I haven't seen it operate that way in my previous schools.
Big Dell: Big Dell is our steer. He was shown with success at the Castle Hill show before Easter and just last week was taken to the Hawkesbury Show. I have copied Eric Date's email to me about "Big Dell".
Hawkesbury Show "Hoof & Hook" competition.
ANZAC Day: Our captains represented the school at the Dawn Service held at Castle Hill last Sunday. It was very wet but there was still a large crowd. The crowd was a real mixture of the young and the old. A chilling part of the service was when the president of the RSL read out the list of veterans who have passed away during the year - it appears to just get bigger each year. When you think WW2 veterans would mostly be their 80's it is not surprising. Vietnam veterans would be in their 50's. Soldiers who served in more recent wars or peace services are obviously younger. I believe we must remember that on ANZAC Day we honour all people who have served their country and have fallen. The principal of Castle Hill Public school gave the address and he talked about our veterans being heroes. How true are his words!
School Athletics Carnival: Yesterday the school was bused to the Blacktown Athletic park for our school's annual Athletics Carnival. I think the day was a great success. Our students had an opportunity to run and compete on an international standard athletics field. I think there might be a push for us to return there next year. Thanks to our PE faculty especially Michael White and Matt Thomas for their work in organising the carnival.