From the Principal

Week 6, Term 1 - 2018

At West Beach Primary School our aim is to develop dispositions that support students to be successful in their future learning and lives. We encourage our students to have growth mindsets, be resilient and persistent, to have empathy and tolerance. As a school community we want to provide quality learning and wellbeing experiences that support students to have positive relationships, be engaged, develop growth mindsets and enjoy the challenges of learning.  To help us do this we are constantly reflecting on current practice and planning how we can improve the learning and wellbeing of our students. The Governing Council works with the school staff and leadership team to develop our Annual Site Improvement Plan. This year we will continue our focus on designing learning opportunities that provide intellectual stretch and challenge as well as including students in the learning design process. Students will be engaged in STEM learning activities

 In week 8 we will welcome back Colleen Deceukelaire. Colleen will be teaching Room 2 every Thursday and Room 1 every second Friday from week 8 until the end of the year. Colleen has been on leave after having her second child. We also welcome Vincent Scali who is a new school support officer who is supporting students across the school.

Providing opportunities for students to develop their Leadership skills also continues to be a focus across our school. Opportunities such as “Buddy class” learning activities, where older children learn with younger children, class meetings and circle time, , Wipe Out Waste group, Play at Lunch Time Leaders, Sports Team and IT leaders, leading and presenting at assemblies all enable students to explore and experience different leadership skills and opportunities. This term some of our senior students: Annabelle, Bahija, Anna, Ruby, Heather and Lucy, have been chosen to review our student leadership structures to ensure that we are providing opportunities across the school for all children to develop their leadership capabilities. This may mean that our current SRC structure may change. We look forward to hearing their recommendations from the research that they are involved in.

 

During our Pupil Free Day this Tuesday 13th March, our staff will join teachers and staff from our Western Adelaide Shores Partnership schools to participate in Professional learning which will have a strong focus on learning design in mathematical problem solving, including moderation of learning tasks and formative ongoing assessment. This work is supporting us to develop quality teaching and consistency within our site and across our Partnership schools.

 

Harmony Day will be celebrated across the nation on Wednesday 21st March. Harmony Day, celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. On this day students will be encouraged to wear orange or a traditional costume from their cultural background.

It is a day for all Australians to embrace cultural diversity and to share what we have in common.

The central message for Harmony Day is that ‘everyone belongs’, reinforcing the importance of inclusiveness to all Australians. We are currently finding out the cultural heritage of students and families in our school community so that we can map this out as a display.

On Friday 23rd March we will celebrate Harmony Day at West Beach PS with a special assembly and activities until lunchtime.

 

Parent/ Teacher interviews will be held during weeks 8, 9 and 10 of this term. This is an important opportunity for parents and caregivers to discuss how their child is progressing with their learning and wellbeing.

Over the next week you will receive information about how you can book an interview time with your child’s teacher (s). This booking process is done through an online booking system. We encourage all parents to make a time to discuss your child’s progress and future learning goals.

 

Thankyou to the many parents that have come in to pay the Materials and Services charge for 2018. We really appreciate this prompt payment as this enable us to provide the resources that we need to support the quality learning programs that are implemented. There is also an optional excursion levy of $50 that parents can also pay for the year. Please remember that if you are planning to pay the excursion levy, then it does need to be payed before students attend an excursion this year.

If you have a question, concern or complaint concerning your child’s achievement or wellbeing then your first contact should be with your child’s teacher. If this does not resolve your issue then you may ask to speak with someone from the school leadership team, Matt Mulree, Teaching and Learning Coordinator, Mat Charleston Deputy Principal or Katrina Sexton, Principal.  After taking this step and you still have an issue then DECD have an Education Complaints Unit (1800 677 435) who can advise and support parents in this area.

Have a lovely long weekend and see you all on Wednesday after our Pupil Free Day Tuesday.

Regards Katrina


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