The Spotlight | Good News Lutheran College (GNLC)
Celebrating the Opening of "Quollibrary"
We are thrilled to announce the official opening of "Quollibrary," our first school library at Eastside Lutheran College. The launch of this vibrant learning space coincided with our Book Week celebrations, making it a doubly special occasion for our school community. Students, staff, and families came together to mark this significant milestone, showing how deeply everyone values the importance of reading and learning.
The vision for "Quollibrary" was brought to life by our incredible Senior Curriculum Coordinator, Mrs. Judy Hickey. Her dedication and foresight have transformed the idea of a shared library into a reality that will benefit both Primary and Secondary students. With the support of our community and the coordination efforts of our Leadership team, the library has become a warm, welcoming space designed to foster a love of reading and a passion for lifelong learning.
A well-resourced library is a cornerstone of any school. It provides students with access to a wide range of books, resources, and digital tools that support their academic growth and personal development. In "Quollibrary," students will find a quiet space to explore new worlds through reading, collaborate on projects, and develop critical research skills. The library also plays a crucial role in encouraging independent learning, enhancing literacy, and building a culture of curiosity and inquiry.
We are proud of this new addition to Eastside Lutheran College and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on our students for many years to come.
Book Week!
Book Week at Eastside Lutheran College has always been a highlight of our school calendar, and this year was no exception. The entire week was filled with excitement, creativity, and a shared love of reading. The celebrations culminated in our much-anticipated Book Week parade, where the whole community came together to showcase their favorite book characters. The energy was electric as our whole community embraced the joy of storytelling, imagination, and literature.
This year’s parade was a vibrant display of creativity, with costumes ranging from classic literary figures to contemporary favorites. It was heartening to see everyone, from our youngest learners to our most senior students, participating with such enthusiasm. The parade not only brought smiles to everyone’s faces but also underscored the importance of reading in our lives.
Celebrating Book Week is about more than just dressing up. It’s about promoting and celebrating reading and literature, highlighting the crucial role they play in education and personal growth. By dedicating a week to these activities, we remind our students that books are gateways to other worlds, diverse cultures, and endless knowledge. Encouraging a love of reading helps develop critical thinking, empathy, and creativity—skills that are invaluable both in school and in life.
Book Week also provides an opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate the shared stories that connect us. It fosters a culture of reading that extends beyond the classroom and into our homes, ensuring that the love of books continues to grow in our students long after the week has ended.
We are already looking forward to next year’s Book Week, but in the meantime, we will be keeping the spirit of reading alive all year round!
Eastside Greenhouse
The new school greenhouse has become a vibrant hub for learning, particularly for Year Three students who are diving into the fascinating world of germination, growth, and change. This innovative space not only enhances the curriculum but also provides hands-on experiences that engage students in the science of plant life.
In their lessons, Year Three students are actively involved in observing the germination process. They learn about the essential condition’s plants need to thrive, such as sunlight, water, and soil. By planting seeds and monitoring their progress, students gain firsthand experience of how plants grow and change over time. This experiential learning fosters a deeper understanding of biological concepts and encourages curiosity about the natural world. The greenhouse serves as an ideal environment for these activities, allowing students to witness the effects of temperature and light on plant growth. They can observe how different variables, such as soil type and moisture levels, impact the germination rates of various seeds. This hands-on approach not only reinforces theoretical knowledge but also cultivates critical thinking and scientific inquiry skills.
In addition to the Year Three curriculum, the greenhouse will also be utilized by the Friday Fun Gardening group. This initiative invites students from various grades to engage in gardening projects, fostering a sense of community and teamwork. The group will explore creative gardening techniques, such as companion planting and seasonal gardening, while also learning about sustainable practices. The Friday Fun Gardening group will have the opportunity to experiment with different plants, observe their growth patterns, and even create small ecosystems within the greenhouse. This collaborative environment encourages students to share ideas and learn from one another, enhancing their social skills alongside their gardening knowledge.
The greenhouse is more than just a space for growing plants; it is a dynamic learning environment that supports various educational goals. By integrating practical gardening experiences with classroom learning, students develop a holistic understanding of science, ecology, and nutrition. As the Year Three students and the Friday Fun Gardening group embark on their gardening journeys, the greenhouse will undoubtedly become a cherished space for discovery and growth. This initiative not only enriches the students' educational experience but also instils a lifelong appreciation for nature and sustainability.
ELC Literacy Education
ELC has identified literacy as a focus for 2024 academic year and has adopted Playberry Lazer developed by Hansberry Educational Consulting as their foundation literacy program. This approach offers a cohesive literacy framework that aligns seamlessly with the ACARA 9.0 curriculum. By implementing this structured program, ELC is experiencing a positive shift in their literacy instruction and outcomes. The program's strength lies in its ability to create a shared language and methodology across all classrooms, fostering consistency and continuity in students' learning experiences.
One of the most significant benefits of this approach is its impact on teacher’s cognitive load. The program provides a detailed scope and sequence, along with ready-to-use resources, allowing teachers to focus more on effective instruction rather than extensive planning and material creation. This reduction in cognitive load enables educators to dedicate more time and energy to diagnostic teaching and refining their instructional techniques.
The program incorporates a structured, multisensory teaching methodology, ensuring that students are actively engaged in lessons. Teachers have access to a wide range of materials, including weekly planners, printable homework sheets, and assessment tools, all designed to support the structured literacy approach. The program includes ongoing assessments that help teachers identify areas in need of further instruction.
