From the Principal 

SUNSMART

In line with our SunSmart policy, broad brimmed hats need to be worn from 1 September to 30 April.  So from next week, there is no need for students to wear a hat outside at school.  It is important to expose the skin to ultraviolet light to keep up Vitamin D levels.

NAPLAN

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) 2016 for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 students will be held on Tuesday 10 May, Wednesday 11 May and Thursday 12 May 2016. NAPLAN tests assess student knowledge and skills in Writing, Reading, Language Conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and Numeracy.

The results of the tests provide information for students, parents, teachers and principals which can be used to improve student achievement.

Catch-up tests may be available for individual students who are absent on test days. These students may undertake catch-up tests on the days in the test week after the scheduled test, up to and including Friday 13 May 2016.

Support can be arranged for students with disabilities, if the student regularly uses similar support for classroom assessment tasks.  Large print, braille and black and white versions of the tests are available for students who require them.

All students are expected to participate in the NAPLAN tests. Exemptions may be granted to students with significant intellectual disabilities and to students who have been learning English for less than one year.

If your child is eligible for support due to disability or an exemption, you should discuss this with his/her teacher prior to the tests. Parental consent is required before any support due to disability or exemption is granted.

Students may be withdrawn from NAPLAN by their parent or carer. This is a matter for consideration by parents and carers in consultation with the principal. If, after consultation, you decide to withdraw your child, you must sign a Student Withdrawal form. These forms are available at the school.

Later in the year you will receive your child’s personal NAPLAN report. The report will describe your child’s particular skills in Reading, Writing, Language Conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and Numeracy. The report will also show how your child performed in relation to national minimum standards. These describe the minimum acceptable standards for students across Australia.

For more information about the tests, please visit the VCAA website at www.vcaa.vic.edu.au or the NAP website at www.nap.edu.au

PUPIL FREE DAY

Friday 29 April is an approved staff professional development day and students are not required at school.  Staff are participating in a workshop related to strategies for teaching writing. This fits well with our new strategic plan where a main focus is to improving students’ writing. The OSHC program will be operating all day on Friday. 

Heather Hill