Chilwell Primary School

PRINCIPAL UPDATE 

Dear Families

 

Thank You:

This week I wish to highlight the work undertaken by staff in providing lunchtime activities. We are all aware that the playground is a busy place and this does not suit all children. Staff have given their time to provide alternatives: art, library, gardening, chess/checkers, ensemble group etc. 

 

NAPLAN:

The individual results from this year’s NAPLAN assessments have arrived at school. We have sent out an email to the Year 3 and 5 families that they are available for pick up via the office. The results continue to be strong and are a reflection of the work and efforts of the children, staff and families in supporting our students both academically and emotionally. These assessments sometimes vary from our reports due to the accumulative nature of our assessments and the one off nature of NAPLAN. All assessments together give us direction of where the future needs of our children are.

 

Parent Survey:

This is going to close on Sept 16. The feedback we gain from this survey helps to guide the school and School Council. Please spend the time to undertake the survey. Details were in previous newsletters.

 

Year 2 MS Readathon:

Congratulations to the Year 2 cohort, plus others, who entered he MS Readathon with a team.

The month of reading has just finished and the Grade 2 team (which included some siblings) read 368 books and raised $3233! Such a great effort by them all. Thanks to Isobel Walker who was the organiser. Congrats all round.

 

Project Rocket:

Last week’s online forums were offered to both staff and families. The staff attended as part of our normal meeting forums. The parent session was an evening forum which gave families the opportunity to “get ahead” on many of the issues and challenges both our children and parents face in this digital world. Unfortunately only 16 families took up the chance to find out more on the challenges we parents face.

The need to provide this program came out of both the student and staff surveys over the past 2 years. The training and assistance will continue next year also. I really encourage all families to get involved and find out more.

Feedback on the parent session is most welcomed. Either email the office or jot your thoughts down.

 

Online Chats:

It seems that we are having students involved in these after school hours with very negative results. Again I encourage parents to be aware of these forms of communication and find out what is being aired. My information is that what is being shared is very inappropriate and in some cases hurtful. Unfortunately the chats result in words being written or opinions given that would not be aired if the students were face to face. The work with Project Rocket and work planned for next year will inform us all (Parents, staff and children) on the pitfalls and possible solutions which we all face. Stay tuned.

 

Athletics:

Today we have 16 students competing at the Bellarine and Geelong North Division level of competition. Thanks to Amy and the parents who will be there cheering on our competitors. The day looks great for the completion. Good luck!!!

 

Concert:

We continue our practising in readiness of the concert of the year!!!!! Thank you to all families who have worked on costumes and viewing of numerous practises in the lounge. We all appreciate your support.

Hollie, staff and the children have worked very hard on each item which I am sure will be very entertaining.

Next week’s plans:

  • Wednesday: All students will be bussed out to the Arena for a practice on the big stage.
  • Wednesday night: Doors at the Arena will be opened at 6.30pm.
  • At the end of the concert ONE parent is to come down onto the floor to collect your child / children. This is to avoid a crush of people at the end of the night.

 

Planning Day: Thursday September 15:

A reminder that Thursday next week will be a staff Planning Day. The timing was to lessen the impact on families as our experience in previous years is that we have high absences the day after the concert. (Signing autographs takes a lot of time!)

 

Care on Planning Day:

We are providing this service to cover parents who are unable to look after the children on the day BUT positions are limited due to staff ratios and staff shortages. Please contact Cheryl asap to book your child in. 

 

 

Gavan Welsh

Principal Chilwell Primary School.