Principal's Report
Greetings Families of MPWPS,
It is wonderful to have all the children and staff back onsite. The noise of the voices (even with the split recess and lunchtime) is really uplifting and re-emphasises that schools are really about children and their learning in all areas.
Foundations Transition
Our Kinder to school transition begins this week. This is always an exciting time for all and we are so glad that the process can be offered within the current Health Advice. The Junior School team have planned a similar transition opportunity as last year given the situation is quite similar. We are hoping by the final session parents will be able to come onsite as well. We are transitioning back to a new ‘normal’.
Curriculum Day November 1st
We had a very successful day of learning hosted by our learning specialist Kim Simmons. The focus was on the spelling; the different requirements of a competent speller and the teaching that ensures this outcome. The full report on this day is in the Education section of this Newsletter. I point you to this report from our English Curriculum Action Team.
NAPLAN results and our school achievement: This year (as in the past three years) our NAPLAN results show that our students in years 3 and 5 are showing high learning growth with all results in year 5 well above the State and schools with students similar to ours. Whilst NAPLAN is a snapshot in time it demonstrates that the teaching and learning across the school is being effective. The Tutoring initiative this year has been targeted at those students who may have found the 2020 remote learning difficult with very positive results. Our tightened and more focused intervention strategies in the Junior School have ensured that the focus is on growth for all children. At MPW we target those students below, at and above the required level so that all can grow or progress their learning to at least one year’s growth every year. As a result of this refined focus on strong teaching practice at the point of need for students, we have moved the whole school performance up to Influence; the highest category of the Department of Education. This result is ‘myth busting’ and supports the integrated focus we have on academic and social and emotional learning development. As parents, carers and community members, it is important for you to be seeing your school’s performance and know and understand ‘how we go’. I am attaching again our Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) flier and our Annual Report information both of which provide information about our goals and targets, and the school’s achievement against those for the 2020 school year. Collectively we have much to be proud and confident about. As the principal I acknowledge the team as there is no ‘i’ in that word!
MPW Fun Run
Rescheduled to Wednesday November 17 because of the weather forecast. One more week to train!! The Fun Run this year will be our major fundraiser as all other plans have had to be cancelled. Our PE teacher Bree has had the children training for the event, and the SPONSORSHIP forms have been circulated. Let’s see if we can continue to make this a wonderful event. We are advised against the use of parent/carer helpers this year, and the course will be just around the school block. We will take plenty of photos. Children bring your funny hat or tutu. Let’s get running! A delicious lunch will await you.
New Assistant Principal
Congratulations to Jarrod who has been successful in achieving this position. Jarrod has been instrumental in implementing COMPASS as our communication tool, upgrading our digital plan and service and our devices, managing the online elements of remote learning, daily organisation and the timetable for the internal curriculum provision and assisting and supporting all students, to name just a few achievements. We are very lucky to have these skills and attributes. The Assistant Principal contract is for three years commencing in 2022.
Well that’s about all from me. Until we meet in person.
Kind regards
Kerri Simpson