Dear School Community Members,

Planning for 2024: Our Leadership Team continue to work on planning for 2024. This includes planning our class structures, staffing and learning spaces for 2024. We have just completed a review of our ‘Class Structure’ – the class structure is the composition of the classes eg. Composite or Straight or a combination of both. Similar to the changes implemented for our Grade 3 and Grade 4 classes for 2023, we will transition to the following model for our 2024 school year:

Prep = 3 classes (straight classes)
Grade 1 = 3 classes (straight classes)
Grade 2 = 3 classes (straight classes)
Grade 3 = 2 classes (straight classes)
Grade 4 = 2 classes (straight classes)
Grade 3/4 = 1 class (composite class)
Grade 5 = 2 classes (straight classes)
Grade 6 = 2 classes (straight classes)
Grade 5/6 = 1 class (composite class)

2023/2024 Transition Program: Transitions into our school, within our school and into secondary school for our Grade 6 students is of high priority. An effective transition program provides students confidence to move from one learning environment to the next. When successful transition programs are in place, students develop a sense of certainty, clarity and an increased ability to focus. This ultimately allows students to learn more effectively as they can process information more coherently. With this in mind, our next transition session is on Friday, 10th November from 9:30am until 11:00am. All students, including our 2024 Prep students, will engage in activities to support their transition into their next year level.

Congratulations – Hamish Dodemaide: We congratulate Hamish on being awarded a scholarship to North Geelong Secondary College. Hamish was awarded his scholarship at Assembly on Monday by North Geelong Secondary College Principal, Mr Adamou. Congratulations, Hamish!

Mano Colour Run – Friday 10th November: It was fantastic to see Mr Hambrook and Mr Quinlan showcase some of the fun our students will have with our Colour Run at our assembly on Monday. Thank you to all students who have registered so far (117). Students will be able to wear casual dress on this day with a white t-shirt. All fundraising efforts this year, including the funds raised from the Colour Run, will go directly towards our Playground Upgrade efforts. All students will need to setup an online fundraising page - www.australianfundraising.com.au

School Council: Our School Council met again Monday night where key agenda items included:

Reviewing and updating our ‘Complaints’ and ‘Digital Learning’ policies
Our 2023 NAPLAN data was tabled and discussed
Further discussion was had regarding our Student Dress Code policy. This was finalised and endorsed pending some updates from our Uniform supplier. Upon receiving these updates, School Council looks forward to sharing this policy with the wider community.
The 2024 Parent Voluntary Contributions were tabled, discussed and approved.
The Junior Playground upgrade was discussed and is close to being finalised. We look forward to sharing the plans with the wider community.

Each of our School Councillors are deeply committed and invested in our school. Please contact them if you have any feedback or concerns (details available from our school website).

Thank you for supporting our school and have a great week.

Christian Smith

Principal

Senior News