At Siena, we believe writing is an essential skill for students to reach their potential as learners. Writing helps create confident and creative communicators, and imaginative thinkers. In 2023 we are having an explicit, whole school focus on writing to improve outcomes for all students.

Lead by our Primary Learning Leader, Elaine Sauvage in collaboration with the classroom teachers, lessons are planned to specifically teach needed skills to improve writing along with the use of quality literature to assist in children becoming proficient writers.

One way we encourage writing is through our ‘Bump it Up’ walls. The children are shown explicitly what next level writing needs to include. These walls are visual reminders and indicators for writing improvement.

As well as ‘Bump it Up’ walls all students have specific goals to work on with their writing. The improvement in writing has been well noted and the students are feeling proud of the growth in becoming better writers.

Stella Maris Primary School 

At Stella Maris, there are lots of groups and activities that are available for children to engage in, according to their interests, ages and abilities. Children might choose to join the Gardening Club or the Table Tennis Group; they can join netball, soccer, football or Oztag teams. There are Speech and Drama groups, Music ensembles, bands, Art clubs and leadership groups; groups for children who like Lego or simply quiet play. There is one group, however, that is especially run for students with a First Nations background and this group is called, the Deadly Maroochy Mob. With support from our fabulous Arts teacher, Mrs Mel Peters, together with Brisbane Catholic Education Officer (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement) Ms Erin Dougherty, these students are assisted to deepen their understanding of their culture and to develop confidence in sharing their perspectives.
When we acknowledged NAIDOC Week at school last week, we celebrated the gifts that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples bring to our nation as their share culture and enhance community. We prayed together as a community, that we may be open to learning from the wisdom of this ancient culture and committed to being people of reconciliation and peace. We particularly reflected on the wisdom of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders.
Year 4 were inspired by two First Nation artists, Sally Morgan and Rissah Vox and created a landscape artwork of Gubbi Gubbi country.

Our Deadly Maroochy Mob then wrapped this artwork with a Rainbow Serpent, to represent the creation of the land, sea and all living things.

Siena Catholic College