Leadership Report

What a year 2022 has been. The support and investment into learning and wellbeing, our core business, has been nothing short of amazing.

We are thankful that we have been able to continue face-to-face learning all year, however our first full year out of lockdowns has seen its fair share of challenges. All of which our community has taken in its stride and have made the most of every single day.

Student absences of 10 or more days were up by 25% in 2022, with 40% of students having more than 20 days absent. Further to this, in 2022 year we had close to twice as many casual relief teachers as we have had in previous years. Whilst this data may seem concerning, it is extremely positive in that it demonstrates that our community continues to show care and consideration for everyone by staying home when unwell. 

Despite these disruptions, our school has experienced some of the strongest academic results in recent history. Particularly in our key area of focus, reading. Our Year Three and Five NAPLAN Reading results were the highest they have been in over 6 years. Plus we have seen particularly strong results across the early years, with more Foundation students reading than ever before!

So what does this tell us? 

It clearly suggests that we are fine tuning the work to make every moment count, for every student. The systems and approaches that are propelling us into being an exceptionally high performing school are becoming more and more embedded into the fabric and culture of Aberfeldie. This provides great confidence and means that all students will be receiving high quality teaching and learning, in all classrooms, all the time.

Our work does not stop there. As we prepare for 2023, our attention moves to how we can have a greater impact to amplify learning achievement and growth even further. 

There are a number of elements we are planning for in 2023 that we know is going to enhance our work. We will be further enhancing our calm and orderly learning environments to engage every student and maximise learning time. Our teams will continue to engage in professional learning, lead by our instructional leaders and Learning Specialists, to refine teaching and learning practices that ensure that every student is understood and achieving their potential. We will be increasing the number of Education Support available to learning environments, including greater access to high quality learning intervention support and extension through the Tutor Learning and High Ability Practice initiatives. 

All of this, plus so much more, is going to ensure that 2023 is one to get excited about.

But before we get too excited about 2023, we want everyone in our community to ensure that they take the opportunity to wind down and have a wonderful summer break. Spend precious time with family and friends creating beautiful memories. Stay safe and best wishes for the festive season and New Year.

To our exiting families and staff, we wish you all the best for a successful 2023 and beyond. For everyone else, look forward to seeing you all back and refreshed in 2023.

-Nathan Gage

What is to come in 2023? 

In 2023, we will be welcoming some key initiatives to support us in successfully implementing evidence-based, whole-school practices, that enhance the learning outcomes for all children. These include School-wide Positive Behaviour Supports and the Disability Inclusion Reform. 

School-wide positive behaviour support (SWPBS)

What is SWPBS?

School-wide positive behaviour support (SWPBS) is a framework that brings together school communities to develop positive, safe, supportive learning cultures. It assists schools to improve social, emotional, behavioural and academic outcomes for children and young people.

How will Aberfeldie benefit from SWPBS?

Ultimately, teachers and students will have more time to focus on relationships and classroom instruction. Students and staff benefit from:

• increased respectful and positive behaviour
• increased time focused on instruction
• improved social-emotional wellbeing
• positive and respectful relationships among students and staff
• increased adoption of evidence-based instructional practices
• a predictable learning environment with improved perceptions of safety and increased attendance.

What now?

The Principal team has been meeting with the SWPBS coach and developing a plan based on our specific needs. Throughout Term 4, the staff at Aberfeldie have collaborated on refining our school expectations, across all settings, ready for 2023. Staff will have the opportunity to further their professional development on the first Curriculum Day in 2023 and a SWPBS Team will be selected for formal training, which will take place over the next three years. 

Disability Inclusion 

Next year, our  region is transitioning to the Disability Inclusion reform which will replace the Program for Students with a Disability. Disability Inclusion involves a government investment of almost $1.6 billion to ensure every student at every ability thrives at school and in life.

Aberfeldie Primary will benefit from Disability Inclusion, which will provide a range of supports, tools, guidance and training to ensure we can provide an inclusive environment for all members of the school community. Disability Inclusion will also improve how we welcome and include students with disabilities.

The Disability Inclusion reform package will deliver:

• a new tiered funding model
• a new strengths-based Disability Inclusion profile for students with disability, supported by a new facilitator workforce
• investment in guidance, resources and support to build the skills and knowledge in inclusive education. 

We welcome Emma Beckett, who is currently studying her Masters in Inclusive Practices, as the Inclusion Leader, who will oversee the role-out of this initiative. We look forward to providing the community with more information and communication when these initiatives launch next year. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the school community for welcoming me into the role as Acting Assistant Principal this term. I have had some big shoes to fill, but this has been made much easier given the amount of support & kindness I have received from the Aberfeldie community. It has been an absolute honour to step into such an important role. I would like to wish students, parents, caregivers and staff, a safe, restful and rewarding summer. I look forward to welcoming you all back, refreshed, for what will be an exciting, new academic year.

-Erin McNamara

Acting Assistant Principal