2021 Planning has now commenced

The 2021 grade structure will be:

2 x Foundation classes - Teachers: Anna Verga, Amanda Callaway

1 x Year 1

2 x Year 2

3 x Years 3/4

4 x Years 5/6

Acting Assistant Principal: Jake Laurie (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday)

Specialist teachers

Music: Natika Jenes

Art: Julie Clarke

Italian: Ginevra De Benedetti

Physical Education: Meredith Thornton

Teacher placement is yet to be finalised. As you may have quickly worked out, we are reducing our number of classes from 13 in 2020 to 12 in 2021. This is a direct result of numbers dropping as our budget is determined by enrolments and we have 67 Grade 6s exiting and a projected 44 Foundation students coming in.

I will keep you updated on 2021 staffing as we work through the planning process.

Thank you to our 2021 Foundation parents for finalising your enrolments.

CONSIDERATIONS FOR 2021 CLASSES

When developing individual classes each year, teachers consider a number of factors including academic ability, special skills and talents, social competencies, gender, students who work well together, those who may not work well together and friendship groupings. While the students are consulted about current friendships, it is only one of the criteria considered because building new relationships is also part of our education process and an important skill for students to develop. The placement of students for the coming year is a complex process where teachers put great thought and sensitivity into their planning. They discuss, reflect and review their decisions over a period of time.

If students have any learning or social needs to be considered when placing them in classes for 2021, parents can write a letter or email addressed to the Principal stating their needs and requests for consideration. If parents have written requests in previous years, we do not retain these as students’ needs and friendships change from year to year. If the consideration from a previous year is still important, a new letter/email should be written. Parents are not able to request specific teachers. The closing date for these considerations is Friday 13 November. Any requests received after this date are not able to be considered.

For information about our changes to the 2021 School fees and Book Pack, please refer to the From the Office section in this newsletter.

ACPS Super Stars

Congratulations to Kaleb 3/4E who came to impress me with his subtraction skills.

No matter what problem I set he was able to solve it. I tried to trick him many times but he was just too clever. Well done Kaleb!

Congratulations to Scarlett from Prep V for receiving the first values award of the term - The Optimism Award. Our school leaders presented Scarlett with her award at Tuesday's virtual assembly. We are so proud of you Scarlett!

CFA Badge Sale - Well done to Maya and Ruby!

This week, every lunchtime Maya Rawlinson from 5/6S and Ruby Tinker from 5/6H have been selling badges outside the office to support the local CFA. A big thank you to all the families, teachers and students who kindly donated or purchased a badge/s. We are totally overwhelmed by all the support and enthusiasm we received over this period. We have made a grand total of $489! This is a fantastic result and an amazing achievement. We will proudly present this money to the Warrandyte CFA in the coming weeks. We love seeing all the students and teachers wearing their badges! Thank you!

Great Strides - Team Gallop

Did you notice an unusual number of walkers and joggers, all dressed in red in Warrandyte on Sunday 25 October? It was hard to miss the 60 individuals and family groups from 15 local families who embarked on a mission to paint the town red!

Team Gallop embarked on their virtual Great Strides (a fun run and walk held every October) to raise awareness and funds for people living with cystic fibrosis (CF).

This year the event had to be held virtually and so Team Gallop took to the street and trails of Warrandyte to complete over 420km as a team.

A special mention to the 30 students from families past and present who did an amazing job of running/walking on the day and together raised over $1,500.

Andrews Byth Chandler DeKort Ditchfield Dwyer Evans (St Anne’s) Fitzgibbon Gruber (Donvale) Gallop Kamphuis Pinder Rawlinson

Mural Painting - Biodiversity Grant

The base for our upcoming mural has been installed. We look forward to seeing the 'powerful owl' artwork come to life and be a new addition to the many artworks we have displayed around the school.

Thank you to Matt West for organising the successful grant submission and driving the works to be completed. Thanks also to Dave Greenstreet and his electrician friend for installing the blueboard and moving a light.

Have a wonderful and safe long weekend..

Sue Dyos

Extracurricular Activities & Community Announcements