Classes 2023
Dear Parents,
School Organisation and Funding:
The Department of Education funds all schools and teaching staff across NSW using a ratio that is determined by a formula. This is a state-wide process and supports the student to teacher ratio determined for different grades under the smaller class size program.
In 2023, the Department will allocate 7 classes to Windang Public School. Windang Public School is using other Department funding to add another class group so that there will be a total of 8 class groups for 2023.
This has been done to ensure that there are vacant placements across all grades in order to maximise our teaching and learning opportunities and reduce the potential of requiring a restructure of classes due to changes in enrolment throughout the year.
At Windang Public School we work towards the teacher student Department ratios of:
Kinder classes work towards 20 students in a class [22 before discussion with Director] Year 1 classes work towards 22 students in a class [24 before discussion with Director] Year 2 classes work towards 24 students in a class [26 before discussion with Director] Year 3 to 6 classes work towards 30 students in a class [32 before discussion with Director].
These totals guide principals in establishing classes. Public schools do not have waiting lists from local families. The Public Education system takes great pride in serving all students in a community that are eligible to attend their local school. The principal is allowed to work with a buffer of two students in any class before having a discussion with the Director, Educational Leadership and the staff about the class organisation. It is important that spaces are left for class placement throughout the year.
Curriculum Structure:
Across the school teaching and learning programs are delivered to classes within a team format. The National Educational Standards Association (NESA) sets the way in which the curriculum is organised and delivered across all The New South Wales schools.
NESA organises the curriculum in Stages; Early Stage 1 [Kindergarten], Stage 1 [Years 1 and 2], Stage 2 [Years 3 and 4] and Stage 3 [Years 5 and 6]. This continues on throughout secondary school for students attending High School. Teachers draw on the syllabus and then tailor the work to meet the needs of the students in their class.
Each and every class has a range of abilities due to age, skills, attitudes, knowledge, interests and talents. All teachers are trained in how to identify students needs and then develop students within the context of the work that is appropriate for both their stage and development.
Class Placement Process:
Our school takes great care to ensure the placement of each and every student into the most appropriate classroom setting. This care is taken because as a school we believe that each student’s placement is important. Every placement is made in consultation with the whole teaching team and in the context of all students. This process allows the school to consider all new students coming to our school in 2023.
To ensure this the school considers the following issues when forming class groups:
Social
Emotional
Academic
Behavioural needs
The dynamics of students working together
The teaching team working with each grade
Students who are funded for support
Students who have identified needs
Careful consideration has also been given for the students who have enrolled at our school throughout the year.
The classes for 2023 will be:
Class 1: "Parrott's" Kindergarten (K) - Ms Papesch
Class 2: "Kookaburras": Kindergarten / Year One (K/1) - Miss Kemp
Class 3: "Seahorses": Year One (Yr1) - Miss Stewart
Class 4: "Koalas" Year One / Year Two (Yr1/2) - Miss Khaika
Class 5: "Hippos" Year Two / Year Three (Yr2/3) - Miss Hawkins
Class 6 "Flamingos": Year Three / Year Four (Yr3/4) - Miss Ferguson
Class 7 "Meerkats": Year Four / Year Five (Yr4/5) - Mrs U
Class 8 "Magpies": Year Six (Yr6) - Miss Markham
I greatly appreciate the patience of our students, parents, carers and staff to ensure that we are working to construct classes across the school that optimise student opportunity and learning within Departmental guidelines and funding.
Kind Regards
Loreta KocovskaPrincipal
Windang Public School