Pete & Rachel's Report

As the term comes to an end, we take this opportunity to wish everyone a wonderful break over the holidays. 

May your family time together be filled with much love, laughter and joy.

Thank you for your kindness, support and encouragement throughout the term.

On behalf of all of us, rest, regroup and we look forward to everyone’s safe return in Term 3.

STAFFING UPDATE

After 2 and a half years of working at Aitken Hill Primary School, in the Prep Team, Ms Ashley Reynolds will be moving on to a new school. This is a move that will broaden her experience and provide her with the opportunity to share the range of skills she has learned as a teacher at AHPS, with the broader education community. We wish her all the very best! 

There is an employment process in place to replace this teaching position.

SCHOOL REVIEW

During Term 2, our school was part of a School Review. This involved a panel of staff, regional leaders and school council members evaluating our school's strengths and areas for improvement and future focus. We gathered feedback from students, staff and parents as part of the process. 

During Term 3 we will develop a four year plan, known as a School Strategic Plan. This will help us establish our goals, targets and strategies for the next four years and ensure we are continuing to improve.

We thank everyone for their input and look forward to your future involvement throughout this process.

LUNCHTIME CLUBS

This year we have a number of lunchtime clubs for students to attend each and every day of the week. This is a great opportunity for students from all year levels to participate in an activity they are passionate about or to grow their skills in a new area. This also helps our students to build relationships and work on their social skills. Clubs include:

• Yoga
• Mindfulness
• Drawing and Art
• Glee (singing and dancing)
• Beyblades
• Italian

Some of our student leaders are working with Aaron (STEM Leading Teacher) and have just established a Coding Club. This is a great opportunity for our student leaders to develop their leadership skills. 

Ask your child if they have been to a club recently.

SOFTBALL CENTRE: HIGHLANDS MASTERPLAN 

Below are maps of the masterplan for the softball centre and community area behind our school. The area will include 2 softball fields, a soccer field, cricket nets, a community garden, playground and barbecue area, an off-lead area for dogs, community parking and paths.

As a school we will work the local council to enable our students to access parts of the area during recess and lunch as well as during physical education and fitness time. The community parking and drop off area will be a welcomed inclusion for our school.

We have been informed by our local council that the area will be completed by the end of 2021.

MENTOR GROUPS

This year we introduced mentor groups to help students, teachers and parents have a regular contact each morning and after school. Morning mentor groups begin at 8:50am and finish at 9:05am and afternoon mentor groups start at 2:55pm and finish at 3:10pm.

Students meet with the same teacher in the same space with the same students during mentor group sessions in the morning and afternoon.

During the morning mentor group session, teachers check-in with students to see how they are feeling, it's a great time for the mentor teacher to notice if a child needs extra care and support that day. The mentor teacher marks the attendance roll, collects any notices and reminds students to put their lunch order in if they have one. The mentor teacher will explain what is happening throughout the day, including which teacher they will be working with for reading, writing, mathematics, inquiry learning and our social and emotional curriculum. The mentor teacher will also read to students and help them get ready for their learning that day.

Students who are late to their mentor group are missing a vital part of their day and their learning. 

Afternoon mentor group sessions are an opportunity for mentor teachers to help students reflect on the learning they have done throughout the day. To share what they've been successful at and what they found challenging. The session provides an opportunity for the mentor teacher to remind students what is happening tomorrow and there is anything they need to bring to school as well as homework they need to complete. During the mentor group session, students will collect everything they need to take home, including notices from their mentor teacher.

For parents, the mentor teacher is your first contact for any queries or concerns you have. 

We believe mentor groups will be a great addition to our school, we hope that your child values them and that they feel it's a special part of each day. 

ATTENDANCE

Going to school every day is the single most important part of your child’s education. Students learn new things at school every day – missing school puts them behind.  

BEING AWAY FROM SCHOOL FOR ONE DAY A FORTNIGHT EQUALS MISSING 1.5 YEARS OVER 13 YEARS OF SCHOOL

Top attendance tips for parents

• Schools want to work in partnership with parents – act early if you have any concerns by contacting your child’s school and asking for advice and support
• Remember that every day counts
• There is no safe number of days for missing school – each day a student misses puts them behind, and can affect their educational outcomes and their social connectedness
• Talk positively about school and the importance of attending every day
• Open and prompt communication with your child’s school about all absences is a good idea
• Avoid making routine medical and dental appointments during the school day or planning family holidays during the term
• Seek help from your school if you are concerned about your child’s attendance and wellbeing. Schools want to work in partnership with parents to support student attendance and wellbeing.