Perspectives from the PYP Coordinator

22 January

Professional development is a teacher’s way of challenging themselves and maintaining their lifelong learning. I spent this past week in Adelaide learning more about the role of the Primary Years Programme Coordinator (PYPC).  In this workshop there were PYP coordinators from all over the Asia Pacific region.  This workshop not only gave me ideas about improving my practice with the teachers, it also gave me a larger network of colleagues as resources. We spent from 8:30 - 4:30 every day as well as evenings and lunches, discussing our practices. There are so many things that I feel that we do well at Chatsworth in providing an inquiry based learning environment for our students. There are other areas that I feel we can improve. Just as we challenge our students to learn and grow in a supportive environment, my job is to provide that same environment for the teachers.  This professional development gave me ways forward for our programme. As we move forward, Mr. Gauci and I will continue to work closely together ensuring that we are always challenging and supporting our community. I feel lucky to be at Chatsworth, a school that values learning and supports its staff to attend professional development and grow their personal practice.

Channel Chatsworth Weekly Webcast #12 - By the Digital Media Team

Thoughts from the Chatsworth Primary Hallway

The teacher as learners is an important part of our daily life in the Primary School.  Working groups have been established in different curriculum and social areas to research and collect data on best practice for the primary school to keep developing and growing in our understanding of what is best for our students. This research and development is carried out after school throughout the year. There are five working groups right now, the Spirit Group - working on developing school-wide positive spirit. The Mathematics Group is focusing on developing further the inquiry methodology in the teaching and learning programme. The Language Group is addressing the way forward in spelling and phonics. The Inquiry & Learning Group is investigating visible thinking strategies, the Reggio Emila approach, play based learning, and inquiry.  The Assessment Group is focusing on further developing our digital portfolios. The teachers lead these groups themselves and seek out professional development, experts in the field as well as other schools in Singapore to further their research. In this way, the students benefit from the very best.

Have a great weekend.

Mario Gauci

Head of Primary

Perspectives from the PYP Coordinator

15 January

On House days, you can see how everyone in our school shows their spirit by wearing their colors. The House captains and class representatives design interactive games and activities to extend this spirit further with cheering on your House. The EY gathered on the astroturf for games but were quickly running for cover as the rain came pouring. The JY answered jokes in the hall for points. Congratulations to Changi. It is so much fun to see everyone having fun in such an enthusiastic way.

Week 23 of the Primary Weekly Correspondance

Primary	Report Survey Help us answer a few questions about the effectiveness of the new reporting system and the information you were able to gain about your child. Click here for the survey. Y4 & Y5 Residential Camp Information Night Year 4: 28th January 2016, 6.00pm Year 5: 26th January 2016, 6.00pm Y6 Residential Camp and Exhibition Information Night Date: 25th January 2016, 6.00pm
CCA / ECA	CCAs/ECAs online registration CCAs/ECAs online registration will close today at 7pm. Please follow this link for last minute registration and within two weeks parents will receive a confirmation email. Session 2 will start on Monday 1st February. There will be no CCAs/ECAs on the following dates. Please add these dates to your calendars: **do note that Campus is closed for 2 days due to PTSC 8th to 10th February 2016 Campus is closed for Chinese New Year 11th & 12th February 2016 Campus is closed for teacher training 15th & 16th March 2016 Campus is closed for PTSC 21st to 24th March 2016 No CCA/ECA due to campus celebration 25th March 2016 Campus is close for Good Friday 28th March to 8th April 2016 Campus is close for Easter Break 11th to 15th April 2016 No CCA/ECA activities - (CCA/ECA resume on Monday 18-04-16) 2nd May 2016 Campus is close for Labour Day 19th May 2016 Student Led Conference (no CCA/ECA) Football Trial for the Year 2 There will be a football trial for the Year 2 students next Wednesday, 20 January 2016 during lunchtime (12-12.30pm). Interested students please see Mr Muhammad at the Astro Turf.
Primary Parent Event	Parent Cafè - Language in the PYP Date: 18th January 2016 Time: 6.00pm Venue: Main Hall Presenter: Ms Katie Withington RSVP your seats here. Library Parent Session The next library parent session will be on Tues Jan 19 at 9:45am in the library at the Orchard Campus. We will look at EbscoHost, an online database of articles and newspapers. Bring a laptop or tablet and sign up for wireless access at reception before the session. CPG Coffee Morning Date: 22nd January 2016 Time: 9.15am Venue: Room 5D RSVP via cpg@chatsworth.com.sg. Introduction to Secondary (MYP) for Year 6 Parents and Students Date: 28th January 2016 Time: 6.00pm Venue: Main Hall **please note that the Introduction to Secondary (MYP) for Year 6 Parents and Students has now postponed to 4th February 2016

Hazwani Hassim (Wani)

Primary Administrative Assistant

Channel Chatsworth Weekly Webcast #11 - By the Digital Media Team

Thoughts from the Chatsworth Primary Hallway

"Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons."

Ruth Ann Schabacker

Welcome to Semester Two of the 2015-2016 school year.  I would like to welcome all of the new students and their families to our school.  This week saw the start of around 40 new students in the primary school across all year levels.  While wandering around during recess times, one can see lots of buddies showing their new friends around the school, highlighting areas to play in, and the chill out areas. 

This semester we look forward to many new learnings and engagements.  Please read this blog weekly to keep updated on up and coming activities both in the primary school and in the whole school. One of the weekly activities is our Friday Assembly at 2.45pm in the Main Hall.  This week Ms Riemer and Ms Claudia, the school counsellor, presented an EY and a JY assembly on the IB learner attribute, caring.

Head of Primary

Mario Gauci