From the Principal
Dear Parents and Carers
Staffing News
After more than 20 years of association and service to St Simon’s Community, Modie Wesley has announced her retirement. Modie has been a St Simon’s parent and then a learning support officer (LSO) providing assistance and support for students. On behalf of the community, I would like to thank Modie for all the care and support provided to students, families and staff throughout her time at St Simon’s. We wish her well with the adventures and opportunities post-retirement. Modie finishes formally at the end of the next week.
NAPLAN
Students in Years Three and Five have been participating in the NAPLAN this week. The results from these assessments give parents a snapshot of child learning progress as well as provide the school and education system data of the student performance that is used to assist with school improvement reflection and strategy. NAPLAN is one of many assessments teachers use to track student learning at a particular point in time. Classroom teachers use this information, as well as other sources of assessment, to make judgements about your child’s learning progress through the curriculum.
NAPLAN assessment can be a trigger for some students to be worried or anxious about completing the tasks and so as a school we are grateful for the support staff receive from home to help manage and face these challenges and feelings.
Results of the NAPLAN assessment will be made available to families in Term Three.
Federal Election Voting Centre
This year St Simon’s School site will be a voting centre for the Federal election held on Saturday 21st May. Our wonderful Parents’ Association alongside some school staff, will be hosting a “democracy” sausage sizzle throughout the day so I encourage you to come to St Simon’s to place your vote and support our community fundraising.
We are looking for volunteers to assist with the sausage sizzle so if you can spare an hour or two please send an email to sspa@ssrowville.catholic.edu.au with your name, preferred time (7:30am – 9:30am (includes set up), 9:30am – 11:30am, 11:30am – 1:30pm, 1:30pm – 3:30pm, 3:30pm – 5:00pm (includes pack up)) and contact phone number.
Parent Survey - Positive Behaviour for Learning
Recently parents were sent a letter inviting them to participate in a short survey as part of school-wide project called Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL).
PBL is a whole-school approach, evidence-based and data-informed practice to create a positive, safe and supportive school climate in which all students can learn and develop. Our school, teachers, administrators and family members work together to teach and support behaviour expectations. We create and explicitly teach behaviour expectations and positively acknowledge students for those behaviours.
Please take some time to read the letter sent via Operoo and consider making a contribution via the short survey.
Click here to access the survey
Canteen relaunch 2022 - parent volunteers needed
Please check out the Canteen News section of the newsletter for details about the reopening of the canteen for 2022.
Car Park safety reminder
Please remember to follow the signage directions when using the school and parish carparks.
St Simon’s has car parking routines to ensure that students and their families are able to come and go from the school site whilst maintaining an efficient flow of traffic.
The current practices of the “drive-thru” car park are generally working well, including the use of other methods of getting to school including riding or scooting and walking to school after parking only a short distance away.
The following signs seek to maintain driver awareness regarding the pedestrian crossing across the “exit” driveway (Gate 3) of the school car park. Please continue to remain vigilant with these important safety practices.
Thank you to all parents and carers for doing your part to keep all members of the St Simon’s Community safe.
Student Free Day Monday 23rd May
Staff professional Learning - Positive Behaviour for Learning
A care program is available from Beyond Edu Care on this day. Contact Shayhan and team for further information
God bless
Tom Wursthorn
Principal