SCIENCE OF READING

Reading is a critical building block upon which successful lives are built. The Science of Reading looks at how the brain read and therefore the most effective methods of reading instruction.

For those that would like to know more about the Science of Reading and listen to insights from researchers in early reading follow the link below to some interesting podcasts.

 https://amplify.com/science-of-reading-the-podcast/

ST MONICA’S WRITING COMPETITION

 A big thank you to all the students that entered our St Monia’s school writing competition. Judging has begun and the winners will be announced in next week’s newsletter.

WHAT MATTERS

Poaching is a topic that matters to Year 6 students Mackenna M. She wrote a very passionate piece on this topic for the What Matters Competition titled

 "To See You Again One Last Time”

 Snow crunched as white fur flashed past a clump of dark bushes. Yellow light filtered through tall pine trees, and bushes clumped together in dips and in between rocks.

Emerald green eyes peered into a crack in a rock, and a white paw flew out to catch a light brown tail.

A squeal split through the air, but was quickly cut off by a swipe.

The large, white body of a wolf plucked the small and limp body of a mouse from the snow, and lifted its strong white paws, ploughing through the snow.

Speeding up, it jumped over rocks and logs, moving swiftly through the thinner snow like a hawk.

Slowly, the golden light bled and a crimson red filtered through the pines, turning the white snow a beautiful pink and smudged blue.

Above in the crimson sky, clouds piled on the horizon, like a puff of blue and pink mountains.

Ahead, the wolf slowed and trotted to a stop lightly, smelling the air and raising its soft ears, pricking them further in a look of excitement.

They bolted forward and skirted trees, emerging in a clearing and skidding to a stop, spraying up snow and covering their face.

Shaking off the snow, they trotted forward and peered behind a rock where a hole sat.

A high pitched whine came from inside, and a small, fluffy body waddled out unsteadily.

Large, deep brown eyes looked up at emerald green eyes, and after a moment of silence, the small pup jumped up and started running around the wolf's legs happily.

Another small body came bolting out, and slowly, another large, light grey wolf came out slowly, and brushed up against its mate.

It’s large blue eyes were like a sea of stories, untold stories that only they knew, and that only they would ever know. 

Dropping the limp mouse, the white male nudged his head towards the beautiful, silver wolf.

Beside them, the pups teared at the small mouse, scuffing the ground with their paws and jumping on each other in an attempt to get more food.

The father looked at them, and deep in his eyes lay a quiet thought, the thought of an animal that knows fear..

Looking out into the forest, he nudged his pups and brushed his head against his mate, and slowly left the clearing.one last time

The quiet night was calming, and the clouds dispersed across the sky.

next to a lake sat the white wolf, his fur turned silver in the moonlight and his eyes like an untouched galaxy.

The moon was full, and stars spread like a cool blanket, above his world, out of reach, yet somehow so close.

His tail swished the pine needles on the ground, and he rose silently, padding quietly down the steep slope to the lake covered by glistening white.

Leaning down, he pawed at the ice where it had spread thinner, and it melted in the heat of his paw.

Leaning down, he lapped at the freezing water.

A silver object shifted behind a bush in the corner of his eye.

Staggering upwards, he bolted towards a bush, however, the bank was steep.

 A gunshot…

A deafening crack, and a splash.

The thrashing body sank, and slowly the splashing stopped.

The water rippled one last time.

One last breath, and a vision blurred by red is the last sight.

Living in harmony with this earth means living with the others on it. We only have to try, because when a life is lost, it is gone forever.

To see you again...just one last time.