Principal and Assistant Principal's Page

Principal's Report

Staffing Update

Our Year 2-6 Visual Arts Teacher Mariko Hioki-Walker has resigned her position from Huntingdale Primary School. Mariko is working at a school closer to her home. We thank Mariko for her efforts in teaching students at the school and wish her all the best in the future. One of our regular relief teachers, Lyndell Roper, is replacing Mariko for the remainder of this term and next term. Lyndell is a familiar face around the school and has been teaching Japanese for many years. We welcome her as part of our staff.

Taiko Performance

On Sunday 8 September, I had the pleasure of attending the first ever ‘Youth Wadaiko Concert’ hosted at South Oakleigh College. Our Taiko group performed in a number of items. Emerson performed with two students from Beaconhills College; it was the first time they have played together! Our Taiko group then performed a new routine to the packed auditorium with rousing appreciation. I reflected with our Taiko teacher Tadashi Hanazono how ‘clean’ our drumming is. Our students play in such unison and with power, which produces outstanding sound. I congratulate our group on their wonderful performance! It was lovely to see ex-student Rei play with the Wadaiko Youth Team. It is always a thrill to see ex-students move forward in their pursuits and achieve success.

NAPLAN

The 2019 NAPLAN results have been released. Parents of Year 3 & 5 students have been able to collect their child’s results from the school office this week.  Victoria has again performed very well in the assessments. The table below (credit to the Victorian Principal’s Association) shows the National Results

The school has shown some pleasing gains in all areas of NAPLAN:

Our relative growth data for Year 3-5 is showing an upward trend in reading, writing and numeracy. Results in spelling and grammar and punctuation were flat. Many of our students achieve medium growth and we need to work on students attaining high growth. As a staff, we need to unpack the spelling and punctuation/grammar results to see where we can improve and work to extend students to achieve high growth.

Our Year 5-7 transitional data continues to be strong, indicating we are preparing our students well for secondary schooling. I thank all of our teachers for their efforts across the school in providing a sound education for our students and for the support from parents in their child's education.

Share and Show Night

Last week we had our Share and Show Night. We had a large turnout of families who visited classrooms and the hall to see our bi-annual Art Show. The artwork displayed was a range of 2D and 3D works with lots of colour! Most classrooms had their inquiry work projects on display as part of the ‘go public’ phase of the inquiry process. In particular, I was most impressed with the Year 5/6 walking museum of Australian History. The way the information was presented was very creative and showed excellent teamwork. Well done to everyone!

Student Attendance

At a recent Inner East Principal Forum, the issue of student attendance was raised. Studies show that students who attend school regularly have better academic and social outcomes than those with high absences. It was highlighted that if a student had 20 days (or more) off school each year that over the life of their schooling they would miss a whole year! It is a timely reminder for parents to consider the attendance of their own child. How many days has your child not attended school so far this year? What were the reasons? Could these days off have been avoided?

While we ask that sick children stay at home, if they have minor ailment is it necessary they be at home? Can you schedule appointments out of school times and organise holidays in school holiday periods? We thank our parents for their cooperation in reporting absences to the office, preferably via FlexiBuzz.

Hot Shots Tennis

Well done to both the boys and girls teams in winning the district hot shots tournament! Both teams will advance to the division competition, which will be held at Pinewood PS next term.

2020 Enrolments

Pre-school to school transition continues this term, with our third session completed. We have met over 40 of our new enrolments for the 2020 school year. Our current families who have siblings starting in 2020 are encouraged to enrol as soon as possible. Do you know of any neighbours, relatives or friends who are looking to enrol for 2020? Please let them know about our fabulous school! We offer tours at 9.30 on most Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Please encourage potential enrolments to call the school for a tour!

We are currently planning for the 2020 school year and taking enrolments for all year levels.

If you are intending on leaving the school in 2020, please contact the office as soon as possible so we can assist with the transfer process.

Have a fabulous school holiday break!

Ruth Biddle

Principal

Assistant Principal's Report

It has been such a busy term in Term 3. Our “Show and Share Night” on 10th September was a great celebration of the year so far. I am sure you are so proud of your children’s achievement that you saw on the night.

Art Show

Thank you very much for coming to the Hall to see our children’s art work. Thank you to Ms Roper, Mrs Mathews, Miss Wood, Miss Green, Miss Olsson and Osugi Sensei for working with the children to create such beautiful work.

Japanese Play

I was invited to see the Foundation (FJK) children’s play. I was surprised how confident the children were to speak in Japanese to perform their play. Some children even added to their lines (ad-libbed) which is amazing to see because it indicates the children understand the context and when it is the right time to say the right sentences. These oral production activities are very important for children as they help them to enjoy using the language. I’m sure you were so proud of them.

I always enjoy hearing parent’s feedback.  They understood the content, which was sustainability,  even though they don’t speak Japanese. I am so pleased that parents shared their belief in a Bilingual Education.

Home Show

I was also invited for Grade3/4’s Home Show. They started with singing songs in Japanese. Thank you, Yamaoka sensei for teaching music to our Grade3/4 students. I enjoy listening to their singing practice every week from my office, and it was so nice to hear all of Grade 3/4 students sing beautifully.

The students were so proud to present their project and explain some sustainability elements in Japanese.

Lost Property

Please remember to check the tub in office to see if anything belongs to your child/ren. And, please remember, that if you put your child’s name on their lunch box, jacket, hat, etc., there is a better chance of them finding their owner. At the end of each term items left are disposed of responsibly.

The cherry blossoms are beautiful on the street. Please enjoy the time with children during the school holiday!

Naomi Mori-Hanazono

Assistant Principal