Principals Report

Dear SEPS Families, 

Another busy fortnight has flown by. Ms Gau and I have been offsite attending principal forums and conferences. While it feels like an inconvenience at the time, the learning that we gain from highly esteemed keynote speakers is invigorating, as is the opportunity to network with colleagues across the Bayside Peninsula networks. At our conference last week, we learned more about Neuroscience with Dr Judi Newman and the evidence-based practices that sit behind Cognitive Science. As a staff, we have been studying Cognitive Load Theory to support our implementation of explicit instruction and this conference reinforced the work we are doing here at SEPS.

School Tours 

 We have led two school tours so far this term for prospective Prep 2026 parents. On both tours, parents commented on the calm and orderly learning environments and how this has not been so evident on other school tours. We accredit much of this to the work that teachers have been doing on engagement norms to ensure that all students are ready to learn. We are focused on reducing the cognitive load by removing extraneous factors that can impact on a student’s ability to focus on the teaching and learning. I am so proud of our teachers and students, which led me to thinking about existing parents also having an opportunity to see learning in action. I am thinking of conducting learning walks for parents to also have an insight into our teaching and learning practice. Please let me know if this would be of interest and look out for more information next term. 

SEPS Academy

SEPS Academy runs fortnightly on Friday afternoons from 2:30pm. We are currently preparing for the launch of SEPS Academy to begin again in Term 2. Now that students have experienced the program, they have had lots of input into what they would like to be on offer this year. We would love for parents to be involved and would absolutely welcome any expertise or support should you wish to lead a program or simply help out. Please contact me via the office if you would like to participate in anyway and have some ideas for programs. All participants will need a WWCC. Themes for Academy may include music, dance, drama, yoga, ICT, sport, art, craft, landscaping, environment, cooking ... the world is our oyster. All ideas are welcome.    

Beyond Our School 

During the next two weeks I have several offsite commitments. While I am not always visible out in the yard on these days, I feel that it is important to know that this work directly impacts on our learning community. I have been invited to be a challenge partner on a School Review panel, I will be attending a Beachside Indigenous Community of Practice in Hastings, I am leading a Graduate Teacher Network Forum and have a Network Executive Team Meeting. I feel that I always learn more than I give at these things and am always on the lookout for the most up to date research, initiatives and ideas that are going to benefit us. We are already a great school but there is no harm in always striving for improvement.    

Have a great long weekend. 

 Jane Briffa