Principal's Report 

We have been powering through our learning and engagement this term at Rangeview. It is always so wonderful to see the warming weather and longer days as we move towards Christmas. There have been so many events and special occasions in the last two weeks, our Assistant Principal Ms McLeod went so far as to call this week 'Incursion Week!' 

We have had; 

• Whole School Photo Day
•  Whole School Writing Moderation
• Inner East Principal Forum
• State Volleyball Tournament
• Brainstorm Productions Whole School Cyber Safety Incursion
• School Council Meeting
• Two Transition Sessions for our 2024 Foundation students
• National Teachers Day
• Melbourne Stars Cricket Clinic
• Level 1/2 Minibeast Incursion
• Level 3/4 History Box Incursion
• Level 5 Leadership Incursion
• Level 6 Transition Incursion
• Public Speaking Competition across the school
• Level 2 Sleepover - tonight! 

Minibeast Incursion

On Tuesday and Wednesday of this week our Level 1 / 2 students participated in a Minibeasts Incursion. This incursion further extended their studies in Biology and the natural world - more details can be found in the Teaching and Learning Page of this issue. 

Foundation Transition Program

On Thursday of last week and again this Thursday, we welcomed our newest Rangeview students to begin their schooling journey. Our 2024 Foundation students have started their primary education with first visits to Primary School! 

The two sessions have both gone remarkably well and our Kinder students were able to engage with their teachers, their potential classmates and their new school. We look forward to three more Transition Sessions with them all as we move into the second half of Term 4. A huge thank you to Kyla Petrilli and Natalie Bellis our Transition Coordinators and also to the whole Foundation Team for making these sessions so successful for our little learners. 

BYOD iPad Program

We are making a small change to our school’s 1:1 iPad program in 2024. This will flow on to being a larger change in subsequent years. We have discussed this with staff and School Council, and it has been accepted as a positive change. 

The schools 1:1 iPad program is highly successful and the use of these devices at school is excellent. They are used for learning tasks, they are used creatively, and they are a source of engagement for the students. The iPads are secure at school and are not used too frequently or too little. 

We have a concern around the use of iPads at home – for some of our youngest students. Having a 1:1 student owned device from 4-5 years old has the potential to be problematic. Some students manage to disengage from device use relatively easily, but for some it is so engaging it can become addictive. 

https://www.melbournechildpsychology.com.au/blog/does-your-child-have-a-technology-addiction/

https://www.childpsychologist.com.au/resources/technology-addition-and-young-people

We are not willing to accept that a situation we create at school which is potentially problematic at home, is not our responsibility to alleviate. Ethically this does not sit well with us. Although our BYOD iPad program is voluntary, we understand that a desire to provide equitable access ensures that the majority of our families participate. 

We will change our model in 2024 and not ask Foundation parents to purchase an iPad in Term 3. We will instead purchase class sets for Foundation of school owned and managed iPads which will be at a 1:2 ratio for the students. These devices will be new, have all the Apps required, and be fully charged when needed. It is hoped that this model will enable our excellent use of iPads at school to continue, while removing the need for device use at home. SeeSaw will remain as a learning and communication platform and students will be able to QR code into their account with a school owned device. 

We will then look to flow this model up to Level 1 in 2025 with class sets of iPads purchased for school use and no requirement of BYOD devices. In 2024/2025 we will investigate the best model for the rest of the school in 2026 and beyond. This maybe school owned iPads in Level 2 and then BYOD Laptops in Levels 3 – 6, or we might choose to stay with iPads for the senior school. 

National Teachers Day

On Friday last week we celebrated National Teachers Day. We extend our heartfelt thanks for the enormous morning tea that was provided by families, and special thanks to Fiona Tomietto for organising this for us. The food just kept on coming and there was such a huge and delicious selection. 

It was lovely to see so many students who came dressed as teachers and the staff loved the 'All About My Teacher' homework that was submitted across the school. We appreciate that so many of our students think we are either 21 or 67! 

Pupil Free Day

Next Monday 6th November is a Pupil Free Day at Rangeview. Our Before and After School Care Provider Their Care is available for those families who require care for the day. 

Marika Ferguson

Principal