Principal Report
From the Principal...
Staffing
Every year there is an opportunity to review current staffing profiles and determine whether the school can financially secure more ongoing staff. It does seem feasible that Ormond PS could offer ongoing positions to current staff on contracts. They would need to apply through an expression of interest process. We are hoping to action that as soon as possible.
Student Survey
In the next few weeks, all students from Year 4 to 6 will complete the online version of ‘The Attitudes to School Survey’.
About the Survey
The school values student voice as a means for improving student engagement, wellbeing and quality instruction.
The AtoSS is an annual student survey offered by the Department of Education and Training to assist our school to gain an understanding of students' perceptions and experience of school. Students are asked about their thoughts and feelings in relation to their school, their learning, peer relationships, bullying and life in general.
There are also some questions about student health and wellbeing. Understanding health and wellbeing needs is important to support students to learn and thrive at school. The Department provided this addition to the core survey to allow our school to capture this information to support students. Students are asked about resilience, community connections, mental health and physical activity.
How will results be reported? The survey results will be reported back to the school in an aggregate form throughout the survey period. All survey data that is made available in reports are for groups of students only so that no individual student can be identified. Data suppression rules are used for schools with low student numbers per year level. Our school will share the results of the survey with parents, in documents such as the School Annual Report.
Mid-Year Reports
The mid-year reports will go live on Friday 16th June and we are hoping families will have sufficient and accurate information to refer to when they book in for a parent teacher interview on Monday June 19th.This is an assigned Curriculum Day and will run from 11 am to 7 pm, in conjunction with the new staffing agreement which limits opportunities for teachers to extend their hours of work. We encourage families to book in early for their desired interview times but please understand if times do not suit, the staff are flexible in reorganising other days for a catch up. Please contact them via COMPASS or phone the school for other options.
Recent School Events
We have had a number of incursions and excursions since our last newsletter and from all reports they have been highly engaging. The Year 6 classes were involved with a link up with our Korean sister schools, the Interrelate program provided necessary information to our senior students and the Grade 3’s were totally buzzing when they returned from their LUME excursion. Our Art teacher could not speak more highly about the day and the way our students interacted with the experience and the staff. Thank you to the parents and teachers who attended!
On Wednesday, Nick Staikos visited the school to ensure his pledge of $100, 000 was locked in and would be assigned to resurfacing the main play space of the school. His support and dedication to Ormond PS has always been highly visible on his social media platforms and out in the community. Thank you for this!
Next week, the Year 3 & 4 students will commence their intensive swim program and we have a number of excursions for our senior grades. I will be attending the Year 5 Sovereign Hill Big Day Out, which I am highly looking forward to.
Final Note
The school is currently upgrading the student toilets with a new urinal and an audit of the plumbing, accessibility to sanitary items, paper dispensers and soap etc. This is in response to student voice and agency and the needs of all age groups across the school. I will be on leave till next week due to further family health matters, but I encourage you all to reach out to Lorrie Dell, Susan Rimmer or Simone in the front office. They will also contact me with any pressing school matters.
Kerri McLeod
Principal