Principal's Message
Please take the time to read each page of our newsletter, as we provide you with information updates across each curriculum area.
A revised Victorian Curriculum which acknowledges the connection between wellbeing and learning
As we publish this newsletter, principals across the state have been attending Regional Conferences this week regarding the importance of acknowledging and making connections within the curriculum between learning and wellbeing.
The curriculum framework of Victorian schools is based upon what is known as The Framework for Improving Student Outcomes (FISO) which has now entered version 2.0, following version 1.0 having been in place for approximately seven years.
More information regarding FISO 2.0 can be found by visiting:
https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/fiso/policy
As a school who has an existing focus upon the above balance, we are already well underway with forming meaningful connections between a student's "sense of belonging" and their "engagement levels in academic growth".
The theme of the above referenced Regional Conference has been 'adaptability to promote excellence' as we return to on-site learning in 2022, and yet schools must remain aware of complex issues that have arisen out of the past two years of Remote Learning.
Adaptability to Promote Excellence
Curriculum > Culture > Climate
What is the evidence of a connection between high levels of community trust, a focus upon wellbeing and positive impacts upon the core business of curriculum outcomes?
We are pleased to say that through our school's hard work, and the proactive adaptability of our staff team, we have been acknowledged as a school who have been able to demonstrate the importance of linkages between wellbeing and academic outcomes.
This is illustrated in the images below, which shows Upwey South Primary School's NAPLAN mean scores at Year Three (2017-2021) in comparison to the state; keeping in mind that Victoria is the highest achieving state within NAPLAN measures.
Promoting Student Care
As a school we are heavily invested in "building staff capacity" through providing our staff with high level professional learning opportunities. We aim to have a strategic balance between wellbeing and learning.
In 2022, our focus is upon adapting our social-emotional curriculum and engaging in FISO 2.0 through the following avenues:
- Respectful Relationships
- School Wide Positive Behaviours for Learning
- Berry Street Education Model
- Let's TALK
- Student Voice and Agency
As you may recognise, some of the above are well-established practices within our school, whilst others are frameworks which we can use to 'nudge' our school in a continuously positive direction.
In addition to the above areas of focus, we are also engaging in annual professional learning such as First Aid Courses which our staff completed over the past two weeks.
Responsible parking/driving around our school
Please be aware that Yarra Ranges Council have confirmed that they will be monitoring driver actions over the coming month. In order to avoid a visit or a ticket, we implore you to make safe and sensible decisions when moving within our school neighbourhood.
With recent works occurring along Griffiths Road and Riley Road we appreciate the care that our community are showing when parking/driving around the school boundary. Please be aware when collecting your child to use the marked pedestrian crossings, particularly on Morris Road. We also provide a reminder to families that the Riley Road/ Morris Road exit is not designed for parking.
Keeping Aware of Information Relating to School
As a school we work hard to keep our families informed of happenings across the school. We acknowledge that receiving information in a timely and consistent manner can help to alleviate the pressures which come from managing a busy family calendar.
Communicating via Compass
All of our school notifications are sent via the Newsfeed within the Compass app. There is also a calendar of events within the app, which sends push notifications to users to remind them of school events.
We continue to utilise Compass for families to consent and pay in order for their children to take part in school events.
In order to filter notifications which are received, you will notice that we send out notifications which are year level specific. This means that sometimes not all notifications are sent to all year levels.
Administration Reminder
Please be reminded that if you need to collect your child/ren early, please contact the office when you are five to ten minutes away so we can have them at the office for collection.
Communicating with the School Administration Team
We look forward to partnering with you in 2022, and welcome your input:
Damien Kitch (Principal) damien.kitch@education.vic.gov.au
Paula Lee (Business Manager) upwey.south.ps@education.vic.gov.au
Janette Clarke (Office Manager) upwey.south.ps@education.vic.gov.au