From the Principal 

As we head into November and begin the end of year reporting, class structure and staffing planning for 2024, I thought it was a great opportunity to reflect on some of the successes of 2023.  Our experienced PLC Leaders have been working throughout the school this year analysing data and exploring a range of high impact strategies to improve student learning outcomes. Our tutoring program and extension groups continue with significant gains in student learning. 

Extensive time has been devoted to professional learning through a comprehensively developed meeting schedule.  Student Wellbeing has been managed by the Assistant Principal and the wellbeing PLAT with regular contacts with professional support organisations and the department. Our whole school professional practice day was devoted to team planning and assessment and reporting. The curriculum day on Monday is to launch our ‘Real School’s” project with Adam Voight and his team.

The school improvement team (SIT) is currently developing the class structure profile for 2024.  If you have a particular placement request, please have a conversation with your child’s teacher during November.  Many hours are spent in trying to ensure that there is an even balance in classes each year.  The classroom teacher knows your child well and will ensure that they have planned for your child to have an optimal learning opportunity in 2024.

Staffing

The school is currently involved in multiple recruiting processes. From administrative roles to classroom teaching positions, we are extremely busy with interviews and referee checks. Please be patient if we cannot respond to emails straight away as this is an extraordinary period of recruiting that the school has not encountered before. At this stage, the school will run with 2 classes at each year level – although if enrolments creep up in the junior grades, we will most certainly review this. 

Car Parking

A reminder to all parents around the school to slow down and drive carefully so we don’t have any accidents.  The parking conditions vary in different locations.  If you are parking anywhere around the school, please make sure you read the signage on display.

Attendance/Punctuality

“It’s not okay to be away!” Every minute counts!  When students stay away from school their learning and friendships are affected.  When children arrive late, they interrupt the learning of other students as well as valuable teaching time. We really look forward to the support of our families in ensuring our students absolutely maximise their educational possibilities by being here ON TIME, EVERY TIME. Your commitment to and interest in your child’s education is absolutely vital to their success at school. 

 School Works

There has been a recent update to our Astro turf project. Next Tuesday, we will be meeting with the project managers and designers to finalise the scope of the works and to determine our timeline. I will keep the school informed at every step of the way. Currently, we are contacting a provider to make safe the Astro turf area till the works commence.

 Sun Smart Uniform

As we are a sun smart school – in Term 4 all children require hats whilst outside.  If your child has lost their hat, please make sure that it is either found or replaced through the Primary School Wear uniform shop.  Any children without an approved school hat will be directed to a shaded area during recess and lunchtimes.  Children also need to be wearing an approved school uniform to school as per the school uniform policy. 

Enrolments 2024

If you know of anyone whose child is coming to our school next year, we need to have their enrolment forms in as soon as possible.  We are starting to look at grade structures and staffing for next year and it is vital that we are as accurate as possible when it comes to projected numbers.  If you know your child will not be returning to us next year (apart from our Year 6’s), please let us know as soon as possible. 

Working Bee

The Working Bee was a great success and we were lucky the weather was temperate without rain! The main focus of the Bee was to tidy up the school grounds in general for the benefit of our students, staff and parents.  A particular focus was the weeding along Ruby Street and around the raised beds in this area. Our Gardening Club students in Foundation to Year 2 have been busy planting vegetables and fruit in the raised beds and we harvested a lovely crop of spring onions, broccolini, parsley and lettuce. A group also focused on the grounds along Wheatley Road and the small and big yard with respect to fly away mulch and leaves. The sand pit also enjoyed a big clean out!

On behalf of the whole school community, I would like to thank the following families for their amazing efforts on the day, and especially Diana Bosanac for organising the Bee:

• Renee & family
• Effie Liarakos
• Anh, Hana
• Casey and Phil Gleeson
• Nerida Crake, Mitch W, Charlotte W
• Millie C
• Jaqui Warfe and Xavier
• Diana Bosanac and Sasha 
• Michael Su and Oliver  
• Marie Pepin 
• Vanessa Ulmer and Eric
• Vee Tan and Suyin, Junwei
• Anna Tong
• Renee Morphett and Charli, 
• Josh and Stuart
• Jerry - Ormond PS Maintenance Extraordinaire

Kerri McLeod

Principal