Principal's Report
Tim Mulhall - Principal
Term 3 Curriculum Day
A reminder that on the 2nd of September, we have a curriculum day. TheirCare will be open for the day for anyone that needs to use the service.
This Berry St session for staff, on relationships, focuses on building strong, supportive connections between educators and students. Some of the sessions focus will be on:
Unconditional Positive Regard:
Staff are encouraged to understand each child's needs and strengths, fostering an environment where they can flourish emotionally, cognitively, and spiritually.
Connection Before Correction:
Relationships are nurtured through small, everyday interactions. The focus is on connecting with the child before addressing behavioural corrections, ensuring that the child feels secure and understood.
Empathy and Communication:
Emphasises the importance of empathy, effective communication, and using positive, constructive language with students. A particular spotlight on "process praise" instead of "person praise," focusing on the effort and strategies used by the student rather than innate abilities.
Staff Wellbeing:
The session also addresses the importance of educator wellbeing, acknowledging the impact of working with trauma-affected children. Strategies for self-care and maintaining a positive mindset are highlighted to ensure that educators can continue to support their students effectively.
Volunteers Induction
Last week, we held our first Volunteer Induction session. Our next session is scheduled for Friday, 30th August, from 3:00 to 3:30 PM. I hope to see more of you there!
There are many ways you can contribute as a volunteer, including assisting with student learning support in areas such as reading, spelling, and maths. You can also help by supporting student clubs, working to improve the school's grounds through activities like working bees and the Garden Club, or lending a hand in the canteen or Breakfast Club on Thursday mornings.
Supporting Student's Academic Growth
While NAPLAN is not the only measure of a school’s success, nor the most important, I am excited to share some outstanding results. Our students have outperformed those in Network schools, Similar schools, and the State average in achieving 12 months or more of academic growth, regardless of their starting level.
We deeply value our teachers, who do an excellent job with their students. These results highlight their ability to support all students in their academic growth.
Term 4 Curriculum Days
The School Council has approved two curriculum days for Term 4:
- 1st of November
- 25th of November
These days will provide teachers with time to write end-of-year reports, collaborate on curriculum development and planning, assess student learning, and engage in professional development.
Community Pantry
One of the wonderful initiatives we have at our school is our Community Pantry. If you need any support with consumable pantry items, please feel free to take what you need. The Community Pantry is located in the office building (see the image below).
Policy Update
We have recently reviewed and updated our Asthma Policy. The updated policy is now available on our school website.
Grade 5 Taste Tester Day
This week, our Grade 5 students attended a Taste Tester Day at Bayswater Secondary College. They enjoyed a glimpse into high school life, experiencing a few secondary school classes. Check out the great photos from the day on our social media pages!
Gaga Pit
We have some exciting news to share! Thanks to your efforts in the Eastland Shop for Your School competition and the fundraising efforts of our Parents and Friends Association, we are thrilled to announce that construction of a Gaga Pit will begin this week. The Gaga Pit will be available for students to use during recess and lunchtime.
The decision to build a Gaga Pit was made by our students across the school. Our Junior School Council surveyed all classes to hear the voices of all of our students and the Gaga Pit won the majority vote.
What is a Gaga Pit, you ask?
Warmly,
Tim Mulhall
Principal