Principal's Report
From the Principal...
Writing & NAPLAN results
School leadership met with our Senior Educational Improvement Leader (SEIL) to discuss how we are tracking with our targets for our annual implementation plan. He also shared some data sets around our 2018 NAPLAN results which again put the school in the high performing zone. The Year 3 results were outstanding and both Year 3 and Year 5 cohort data is trending upwards in most areas over the last five years. It was interesting to note that even though Writing is a focus for the entire network of schools, there is still room for improvement. Ormond PS is looking forward to next year’s results to see the impact of our work around Writing based on the ‘Seven Steps’ principles. Our curriculum day on the first day back of next term is based purely on writing and we are joining other local schools to listen to Misty Adonieu who is a well-renowned consultant in this area. Please take time to read the following two pieces of writing from Year 4 students. Michael and Sarah D from 4B were focusing on the ‘Seven Steps’ writing strategies of ‘painting the picture’ and ‘the power of one’. See if you can identify these elements of their writing!
DROUGHT by Sarah (4B)
The sheep’s tongues hang out of their dry, weathered mouths. Breathing heavily they lay on the brown, crusty earth too weak to even think about standing up. They smell the dusty, dead grass and the old out of date hay. Feeling the hot, scorching, shimmering sun along their weak burning backs. They attempt to stand up but in the next moment they fall hard and never open their eyes again.
REFUGEES OF NAURU by Michael (4B)
Imagine little Michael in his awful, ripped shoes under the dilapidated roof of the rusty, old steal shed prison. Sitting on a bench that has been sat on more than five thousand times in Nauru. Kids are wanting to vanish from this life for good, as they listen to all the dreadful groans of starvation and desperation. There is a stench of unwashed clothes and bodies, and stinky shoes and socks. The people locked up at Nauru can feel the taste of death and anxiousness in their once healthy hearts. Michael is wishing he was back home before the horrors of war and he is dreaming of a better future.
Capital Works Update
On Monday evening, the building project group met with Francesca from 1:1 Architects and Alex Percival from the Victorian Building Authority. Francesca presented two major planning option designs and explained to the group about areas in the school we are under or over entitled with. The context she provided gave us a greater understanding around building priorities and areas requiring refurbishment. This major planning phase outlines a five year building plan for the school which encompasses works to improve current learning areas, as well as access to upper level classrooms. Discussions around the state of the relocatables and increasing outdoor areas was addressed in the later phases of the building works. Thank you to the parents who came to the meeting to ask questions and seek clarification around how the funding will be spent. We are now waiting on costings from the quality surveyor to proceed further with the current planning stage. The architect has taken in to consideration the decanting of students in 2019 and how to minimize the disruptions to certain areas of the school.
Special Events
On Friday we are holding another transition session for new Foundation students for 2019. The focus will be on ICT and working with numbers. This session will run from 9:30 am to 10:40 am in the ICT room and library area. Families will meet in the hall prior to the students moving to their activities. The last week of term is approaching fast and with it comes some further special events and celebrations. We have our Book Week parade on Wednesday which is another opportunity for students and staff to dress up. The Bike Hike at Braeside is on the Thursday and we hope for lovely weather. Our final assembly will be at 2pm in the hall and students will be dismissed at 2:30 pm. I hope everyone has some lovely holiday plans to look forward to or just an opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy the spring weather.
Sunsmart & Uniform Polices
Spring has arrived and therefore I need to remind students to wear their school hats as part of our Sun smart policy. Most schools now ask students and staff to commence wearing hats in September rather than waiting for Term 4. I understand there may be a period of transition whilst children are locating hats put away from Term 1 or just training themselves to remember to bring one along but it is an expectation to wear one effective immediately. Please ensure the hat is clearly named to avoid any lost items. Our uniform policy has also been updated by staff and the education committee. It is important that families are aware of this policy and the mention of no nail polish and hair colouring. Taking pride in the way we present at school is very important in maintaining an orderly school environment.
2019 - Planning and Preparation
We have reached the critical time to consider grade structures for 2019 prior to staffing allocations. Could all families let the office know if you are not returning to Ormond PS next year and if you are aware of new Foundation children that have yet to enroll, could you please give them a friendly reminder to get their forms in as soon as possible! The school tours continue to be well attended and we have had a number of new families join us this term. The new students have settled in extremely well and they continue to make many new friends. Our numbers look like they will be fairly consistent with our current enrolment figure of 422 students.
Change of Curriculum Day
Monday 8th October, the first day back in Term 4 is now a Curriculum Day, please note this is a student free day.
Monday 5th November will now be a normal school day.
Out of School Hours Care will be operating on Monday 8th October for those families requiring care for their children on this day. Please contact April at the program on 03 95785826 for bookings.
Finally, a student has shared with me the longest word ever!
It is pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanokoniosis which is an invented word meaning a lung disease caused by inhaling very fine ash and sand dust. Try saying that in a hurry!
Kerri McLeod
Principal