School News

Niina Mari,

Last Thursday and Friday the Leadership Team attended day 5 and 6 of ORBIS Instructional Leadership.  

What is Instructional Leadership? 

Instructional leadership refers to those principals who have their major focus on creating a learning climate free of disruption, a system of clear teaching objectives, and high teacher expectations for teachers and students. … It is school leaders who promote challenging goals, and then establish safe environments for teachers to critique, question and support other teachers to reach these goals together that have the most effect on student outcomes.” (John Hattie, 2009)

We have the privilege of being involved in this world-class educational leadership program. The program has been co-design with the University of Melbourne to ensure that it supports the strategic direction of the Department for Education, whilst remaining relevant to leaders through school based activities and the use of school specific data. 

The focus of the two days centred on 

• Learning from global research to inform school improvement.
• Effective instructional leaders enable school improvement.

The learning was facilitated by Emeritus Professor Stephen Dinham who has vast experience and knowledge around instructional leadership. We also had the opportunity to have a coaching session with Professor Dinham. This coaching session focussed on our Site Improvement Goal in Writing. Professor Dinham encouraged us to ensure that as a school we have a narrow goal that as a staff we inquire deeply into and utilise data to inform practice and measure growth. 

The learning and advice we received really re-enforced the approach we are taking as a school and the Leadership Team is looking forward to implementing the learning to continue to support our improvement agenda. 

Leadership will be continuing our learning in Week 9 to further develop our Instructional Leadership skills.  

COVID-19 Update

The situation with COVID is still the same at the current time. We are continuing to strictly follow Department for Education and Health SA Guidelines. We appreciate everyones support in this area to ensure we all keep safe. 

Over the coming weeks in collaboration with the Department of Education, Health SA and Governing Council we will be looking at what Term 4 may look like if the state continues to head in a positive direction. 

SSO Recognition Week

Thank you to all of our wonderful support staff. We are so grateful for everything you do for our students, staff, families and the whole school community. #SSOWeek #LNPS proud #bakersonhenley

They are the bright and cheery team that welcome you to the school, which help you with finances, with medical issues and with information about the school. They provide programs for intervention for children, they provide support for specific learning needs, they maintain the school grounds and buildings, and they help to maintain a vibrant and interesting library.

The school could not operate effectively without the huge support they provide to us as leaders and teachers in the school.

We feel sure that you, as an appreciative school community, would join us in acknowledging the great work that they do.

To acknowledge our wonderful SSO Team we have a lovely morning tea provided by Bakers On Henley and they each received a small gift.

Goal Setting and Learning Conferences

Students, parents/caregivers and teachers have now completed another highly successful round of Goal Setting and Learning Conferences. It is exciting to speak with students and families about the growth that is happening related to goal setting.

As part of our approach to continually refine our practices if you have any feedback regarding Goal Setting and Learning Conferences please contact me at  tyson.grinham428@schools.sa.edu.au or 84435544. 

Nagaityalya 

(thank you)

Tyson

School Drop Off Zones Road Safety

Hi Families

Hope you had a lovely weekend, hard to believe we are now at the start of week 6.

You might have noticed the additional signs recently installed by the City of West Torrens in the Kiss and Drop Zone on Malurus Avenue and the increased focus in the newsletter about the proper use of the drop off and pick up zones as well as a reminder about safe road use around the school zones. For anyone who drops off and picks up their kids you would have experienced and seen firsthand how hectic the roads can become near the school grounds.

I am sure we can all unequivocally agree that the safety of everyone in our school community is our number one priority.

The actions of a very small minority (and I say very small minority as that is all it is, but that is all it takes for a terrible accident to occur) near the Brian Street entry continues to be a constant worry and concern. Between the actions the school has already undertaken and the City of West Torrens sending an inspector there is nothing else they can collectively do to impress on our families to do the right thing and keep the best interest of our kids at heart.

It is now up to us to take a moment and remember safety first. Speeding down into the cul-de-sac to drop off and turn around using the drive ways near the school gate when there are kids around is not perhaps the wisest choice. This message is appealing to you as a parent from another parent, to please consider the role you have to play and the example you can set in the Brian Street area. None of us ever want to be faced with talking about the alternative consequences of this type of behaviour.

Take a few extra minutes out of your day, park a little further away if you need to, walk and meet your kids and overall, let’s be safe.

Thank you for your support and understanding.

Kind regards

Michele D’Aloia

Chair

Governing Council, Lockleys North Primary School