Post Term 1 Update

Written by Samantha Jockel Thursday, 26 May 2011 05:22

After our first term working at Kippa Ring State School these are some things we have learnt:

• half a dozen senior school students can't read beyond year two level
• More than 50% of prep students have the oral literacy skills of three and half year olds (or less)

Our activities at Kippa Ring State School so far have included:

• Applying for and receiving a grant for a reading tutor to work with 7 upper primary (Grade 6 and 7) students that have the reading level of a grade 3 student or below to work one-on-one, four times a week. 
• Facilitating a group of students to run 4 fundraising events in the school for the floods.  These students raised a total of $1051.53 which was an amazing effort for this school.
• Organising and sourcing funds to create a support group for young women who are struggling to connect as a result of low self-esteem and body confidence issues.  This project is called Hula Helps!!
• Working with a combined class of 54 year 6/7 students one hour per week, every week, focusing on life skills and social capital building to see if that has any impact on those students over the course of the year.
• Applying for an Artist in Residence grant which we are hopeful about receiving which will involve Circa (Circus Crew) coming into Kippa Ring one day a week in term 3 to deliver circus skills and classes to year 5 and 6 students including aerials, tissue and other skills. 

As you can see from most of our work so far we are choosing to focus on upper primary as this is where the support and resource gap is.

We are excited about this term and already getting our Hula On with some lovely year 7 girls!!!!