Principal's Report
Book Week
Each year across the country, the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) brings children and books together to celebrate Book Week. During this time schools, libraries, booksellers, authors, illustrators and children celebrate Australian children's literature.
On Friday 26th August we are celebrating Book Week here at SGPS with a character parade occurring in The Hubat 9am. These activities are a great way to remind students about how much fun reading can be and also how important it is.
Reading to your child from birth helps establish important literacy skills - the building blocks that help children learn to read and write. As your child gets older, reading a book together continues to be a great way to improve their language skills, increase their vocabulary and develop comprehension while also facilitating parent-child bonding. The theme of Book Week in 2022 is: Dreaming with eyes open… Below is an image that highlights just how powerful regular reading can be to a student’s learning development. So, throughout Book Week, I encourage you to take some time to read something fun and enjoyable with your child.
Parent/Caregiver/Guardian Opinion Survey
On Monday approximately 100 randomly selected families will have received an invitation to participate in a Parent/Caregiver/Guardian Opinion Survey. We’d really appreciate you spending the time to complete the survey if you were selected.
The survey is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of families’ perceptions of school climate, student behaviour and student engagement. Our school will use the survey results to help inform and direct future school planning and improvement strategies.
The survey will close on Friday 16th September. The survey is conducted online, only takes 20 minutes to complete, and can be accessed at any convenient time prior to the closing date on desktop computers, laptops, tablets or smartphones.
School Council Summary
Our March School Council meeting was held on Monday. Many items were discussed and/or ratified, including:
SRC Project
As mentioned in the newsletter last week, the first SRC Project has commenced and some drainage issues have been addressed. Now we will be able to move onto their other tasks identified/voted in by our SRC.
Workforce Planning
Our current projected enrolments for 2023 are 408. Please note that this number will change a little over the coming weeks and months.
DET have stipulated that we are required to have less than 400 enrolments by the start of 2023. Given this directive was received after Prep 2023 offers were made, that is unlikely to be the case in 2023 but can be achieved the following year. This will mean less Prep offers will be made next year, in readiness for 2024.
Prep Testing 2023
As was the case at the beginning of the last four years, our Prep team will be conducting their testing as early as possible. This means the start of next year will look as follows for our Preps:
- Friday, 27th of January – Compulsory Curriculum Day (Grade Prep-6)
- Monday, 30th of January – Parent Interviews for Grade 1-6 (11am-7pm)/Prep Assessments (8am-4pm)
- Tuesday, 31st of January – Prep Assessments (8am-4pm)
- Wednesday, 1st of February – Prep Assessments (8am-4pm)
- Thursday, 2nd of February – First full day at school for Prep
Disability Inclusion Package Review
Brett and I are currently reviewing the approach we have taken with the Tier 2 Disability Inclusion Money (approx. $185,000 in 2022) and the Mental Health funding (approx. $25,000 in 2022).
The money is currently being used to support the following:
- Social Worker (3 days a week)
- Speech Therapist (1 day a week)
- Occupational Therapist (1 day a fortnight)
- Psychologist (assessments on a needs basis)
- Additional Education Support Staff
Parent/Caregiver/Guardian Opinion Survey (PCGOS)
The 2022 PCGOS is open between Monday 15 August and Friday 16 September. Sonia used CASES to randomly select 100 families to participate in this survey. Selected families received a direct email on Monday.
Security Camera Update
The school in looking to install security cameras. Details have been forwarded to DET and we are awaiting their response.
Staffing News
An update was provided regarding Mrs Natalie Todeschini’s appointment to replace Miss Taylah Coatsworth.