Leadership Report
Joseph Hess - Assistant Principal & Maths Learning Specialist
Engaging Mathematics
On February 12th, we were fortunate to welcome Doug Clarke, Anne Roche, Matt Sexton, and James Russo, who visited our school to trial a series of engaging mathematics lessons as part of their upcoming book. The day was filled with rich learning experiences, with each expert working alongside our students to explore key mathematical concepts in dynamic and meaningful ways.
Doug worked with our Year 5/6 students, focusing on calendars. This lesson highlighted the many benefits of reading and exploring calendars, helping students develop their understanding of patterns, sequencing, and the practical application of mathematics in everyday life.
Anne also worked with the Year 5/6 cohort, exploring fractions and decimals. Through her use of “decimats,” students were able to make clear connections between fractions and decimals, deepening their conceptual understanding and confidence in working with these important number forms.
Matt engaged our Year 3/4 students in a geometry and reasoning lesson, sparking thoughtful discussion around shapes such as squares and rectangles. Students explored why these shapes have specific properties, demonstrating the power of reasoning and mathematical thinking through rich conversation and debate.
James worked with our Year 1/2 students, focusing on addition fluency. His lesson emphasised how developing fluency with number facts is essential for building strong foundations in mathematics and supporting efficient and accurate addition.
Throughout the day, our teachers had the valuable opportunity to observe these expert educators in action. Students responded enthusiastically, embracing the challenge and enjoying the opportunity to experience something new and engaging in their mathematics learning.
We are also excited to share that Doug and Anne will return in Term 3 to provide professional learning for our staff. This will focus on designing engaging mathematical tasks and strengthening connections between the new mathematics curriculum and real-life learning experiences.
Please see the photos below for a snapshot of the day.
Tristan Kelly - Literacy Learning Specialist
Coaching
The Year 1-2 team had their final coaching session for the term last week with our Literacy Coach, Narissa Leung. The team has done an excellent job in implementing the phonics groups this term, engaging students in discussions about a range of narrative texts during interactive reading and implementing feedback in their Writing lessons. Some of the things that the team has been working on over the last few weeks are:
- Supporting all students to develop their phonics and morphology knowledge and making adjustments where needed.
- Transferring the excellent progress in phonics sessions so that students apply their phonics and spelling knowledge when they are writing a piece (e.g. a narrative or information report)
- Supporting students to independently check their writing against a model and clear criteria.
VHAP
Congratulations to the following students for their participation in the Victorian High Abilities Program for literacy this term: Archie Achtem Evershed, Finn Vines, Freddie Meyers, Harlow Knight, Hume Horsfall-Tapsell, Pixie Mitton, Rosie Wickens and Sylvia Duffin.
Here is an overview of the course:
The Power of the Pen
This course will help students explore the purpose and impact of writing. They will consider a world without writing, examine the history of writing, and have the opportunity to extend their story writing skills. They will engage in narrative masterclasses focused on plot, character, setting, perspective, voice and genre. They will explore humorous and optimistic texts, the difference between writing to control and writing to empower, and the ways in which writing can change hearts and minds.
Costa Missailidis -Wellbeing and Engagement Leader
Wellbeing Focus: Supporting Emotional Regulation in the Classroom
A key wellbeing focus at our school is ensuring all students have access to a safe and supportive space where they can regulate their emotions when needed.
Each classroom has a Calm Corner, which is set up with a small tent and calming resources. This space gives students the opportunity to pause, reset, and use strategies to help them feel ready to re-engage with learning. Teachers actively monitor and guide students in using this space appropriately.
Teachers support this process using the Zones of Regulation, a framework that helps students understand, identify, and manage their emotions and levels of alertness. The Zones are colour-coded:
- Blue Zone – feeling low, tired, sad, or unwell
- Green Zone – feeling calm, happy, focused, and ready to learn
- Yellow Zone – feeling anxious, excited, frustrated, or silly
- Red Zone – feeling very angry, overwhelmed, or out of control
All emotions are normal, and students are taught that no zone is “bad.” The goal is to help students recognise how they are feeling and use appropriate strategies to move back to the Green Zone, where they are best able to learn and interact positively with others.
This approach supports students to build self-awareness, emotional regulation skills, and resilience in a safe and respectful way.
Community Building Event – Wednesday 4th March
On Wednesday 4th March, our school community came together for our Community Building Event, and what a fantastic afternoon it was! It was wonderful to see such an amazing turnout and so many students proudly dressed in their house colours, showing great enthusiasm and house spirit.
The event was a great opportunity for students to work together, support one another and enjoy a range of fun activities. It was also lovely to see families and members of our school community embracing the event and helping create such a positive and energetic atmosphere.
A big thank you to our staff, who encouraged and supported students throughout each of the activities and helped make the afternoon run so smoothly. We also appreciate the staff who generously gave their time to help sell, prepare and cook sausages, as well as organise the zooper doopers and juices.
Finally, a special thank you to our wonderful PNC, whose efforts ensured everyone’s bellies were full and added to the community spirit of the day. The event raised a total profit of $990.23!
It was truly a wonderful event, and we look forward to many more community building opportunities in the future.
Open Streets – What a Fantastic Start!
Our first Open Streets event was a wonderful success, with over 200 students actively travelling to school and starting the day in a fun, healthy, and community-focused way!
We were thrilled to see:
- 90+ students ride their bikes
- 30+ students scoot to school
- 80+ students walk
It was fantastic to see so many families joining in, enjoying the morning together, and connecting with other members of our school community. Events like these truly highlight the strong sense of community spirit we have at our school.
A special thank you to the PNC for running the morning coffee cart — it was a huge hit with families and staff!
Upcoming Open Streets Dates – mark your calendars!
- Friday 27th March
- Friday 29th May
- Friday 19th June
- Friday 31st July
- Friday 28th August
- Friday 30th October
- Friday 27th November
We look forward to seeing even more students and families involved at the next event!
