Message from the Principal Team
Voice Referendum Result
As you know, over the weekend the Commonwealth Government held a referendum on whether to alter the Australian Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.
Enough votes have been counted for us to know that the referendum did not pass. We are proud of the overall result for our voting electorate with the highest ‘Yes’ votes in the country and this result is indicative of our inclusive school community.
This referendum is the first that Australia has had in over two decades and it highlights the importance of referendums to our democratic system of government. We know that in a democracy, it’s important that people can express their opinions on key issues, especially those of great national importance.
For many people, this referendum has been – and will continue to be – a sensitive topic with deep, personal meaning and it is important that we continue to engage with each other in a respectful and considerate way. There will be different responses to this outcome, including disappointment or distress for many students, staff and members of our community.
Support for students, especially Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
All students, regardless of age and background, will have heard and probably participated in commentary about the Referendum in the media, at home and within their communities, and some may need additional support during this time. This resource provides further information about supporting students, especially Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
Year 1 Dinner and Year 2 Sleepover
The Year 1/2 students have displayed mixed emotions of excitement and nervousness today as they prepare for their Year 1 Dinner and Year 2 Sleepover tonight. We wish the CNPS staff staying overnight all the best and we are sure to see some bleary tired eyes in the morning (both students and staff).
150-Year Anniversary Celebration Assembly and Morning Tea Monday 20 November at 9:15 am
We will be formally celebrating our 150-year anniversary with an Official Assembly followed by School Tours conducted by students and then a Morning Tea in the hall on Monday 20 November at 9:15 am. We have reached out to the Wurundjeri Council to arrange a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony and we have invited a number of special guests. Secretary of the Department of Education, Jenny Atta, has accepted our invitation to attend as has our local Member of Parliament Dr Tim Read and past Principal, Graham Stevenson.
We would also like to extend a warm invitation to our Carlton North Primary School Community including past students and families.
Staff Professional Practice
Inquiry Planning Week
Our teaching teams were provided with additional planning time this week to provide time to plan for Term 4 Inquiry. This planning is usually done in Week 2 or Week 3 of each term as it allows the teachers to tap into student voice and their questions about the Unit of Inquiry Topics and then plan to meet their specific interests and learning needs.
Fairfield Primary School Visit
On Monday we hosted the Learning Specialist from Fairfield Primary School, Sophie Ratcliffe as she visited to observe a number of Maths lessons using our instructional model.
Maddi Davis Presented at the Yarra Darebin Principal Network
Yesterday our Learning Specialist, Maddi Davis, modelled and taught a Maths lesson to the Principals at the Yarra Darebin Principal Network meeting. She and Education Improvement Leader, Alex Fonstin taught an entire lesson including a Warm Up, Problem Solving Task and Reflection. The purpose of this activity was to introduce the Instructional model endorsed by Emerit Professor, Peter Sullian, to principals and demonstrate how Problem Solving including productive struggle could be taught at any year level from Foundation to Year 10.
It was a challenging class with a number of disruptive participants including naughty kids sitting up the back but Maddi and Alex wrangled the principals and taught a very successful lesson.
Wattle Glen Primary School Review
Yesterday I (Rachel) spent the day at Wattle Glen Primary School participating as a Challenge Partner for their School Review. Wattle Glen is a gorgeous little school with only 1 Principal Class and 110 students. They are also a Schoolwide Positive Behaviour School and have implemented the same instructional model and approach to Maths as CNPS.
Next Monday I will be attending the fieldwork day where we will be interviewing students, staff and parents about the school and future visions for teaching and learning. On Wednesday is the final day where the Review Panel determines the future goals for the school’s four year Strategic Plan. Participating on School Reviews as a Challenge Partner is a fantastic opportunity to go out and see what other schools are implementing in their teaching and learning and to analyse their data and provide a different perspective for the school’s Leadership Team.