Principal's Message
This is the final week of what has been another big term, which included Education Week, the Stage 3 Canberra excursion, the Opera House Sydney excursion, rehearsals for New England Sings, the book fair and parade, multiple sporting achievements, visiting performances, the opening of our Breakfast Club, and the completion of Check-in Assessments.
Check-in assessments
These assessments of progress and achievement in Reading, Writing and Numeracy are completed by all students in NSW public schools in Years 3, 4, 5, and 6. While we have yet to receive feedback on performance in Writing, the data from the Term 3 Reading and Numeracy assessments have been affirming of the work of Ben Venue students and teachers, showing that our students are, on average, outperforming statistically similar schools in 6 of the 8 assessments.
Student goal setting and feedback
In previous newsletters I have discussed our work in developing our student's capacity to set meaningful learning goals and self-evaluate their progress towards these goals. Each stage within our school is at a different point on the journey of developing teachers' practice and students' ability to drive learning in this way.
Our Kindergarten students have been working with their teachers on goals relevant to their next steps in learning. They have also been developing their understanding of peer- and self-assessment of their work in relation to these goals. Our Kindergarten students are becoming more and more able to critically evaluate their work. We have been collecting data on their progress in this area and below I have shared some students' responses to focus group questions:
What is your current goal in reading or writing?
Starting my sentences in different ways. - Isabelle (KE)
Finger spaces. - Audrey (KF)
Using adjectives. - James (KF)
Sounding out without help. - Parker (KR)
Writing two sentences and using the correct letter size. - Chloe (KG)
What might help you achieve your goal?
Using a fake hand that has 2 fingers together that can help me remember. Now I use my own hands to help me. - Kalyn (KG)
I know my sounds but I need to work on tricky words and digraphs to help and when I learn them all I'll be super good! - Parker (KR)
Do you think having a goal is useful?
Yes, because when I'm in Year 1 I can get better at writing and doing this so much because I love writing. - Isabelle (KE)
Yes, it's really good to achieve my goal because it makes my heart go happy. - Joey (KF)
2025 Kindergarten
Last week, I had the pleasure of reading a picture book to a group of our future Kindergarten students, before they engaged in a craft activity. It was lovely to share this transition opportunity with children and their families.
Any families who have not yet approached the school to enrol school aged children for 2025 should do so as a matter of urgency.
Recognition assembly
At 12:15 PM this Thursday 26 September, an assembly will be held to celebrate the achievements of our students this term. This will include presentation of any ribbons from Term 3 representative sporting events, a sample of student work from K-6, as well as musical performances. Families are invited to attend.
Rescheduled disco
Unfortunately, a power outage required us to make the decision to postpone the Winter Wonderland disco for Stage 2 and 3 students last week. This event has now been rescheduled to this Thursday 26 September.
Stage 2: 4:30-6:00 PM
Parent BBQ: 6:00 PM
Stage 3: 6:00-7:30 PM
I anticipate that in Term 4, a similar event will be held for our younger students.
School Bytes parent app
All families are strongly encouraged to utilise the School Bytes parent app, ensuring that notifications are activated (click here for a guide).
Our use of School Bytes has allowed us to improve our communication, with more targeted notifications replacing the need for parents/carers to opt-out of irrelevant categories.
The school calendar is also now live in the School Bytes app. This is a live calendar that provides more information to families than the previously used newsletter calendar.
2025 class placement requests
Soon, planning for 2025 class composition will commence. This process includes the opportunity for students to identify three friends that they would like to be placed with, as well as the opportunity for parents/carers to make requests relating to pairings and separations. This information is taken into consideration when classes are created; however, due to the complexity of a range of dynamics and competing priorities, not all requests can be met.
Should you have a request for 2025, please email benvenue-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au, with the subject heading '2025 request'. The window in which to make requests will close in early Term 4.
Mural consultation
In partnership with our P&C, I wish to invite families to provide feedback on a proposed design to repaint the aging mural located in the pebbled area. Our P&C wishes to fund the mural, with the design of local artist, Narmi Widders selected as the basis for consultation.
If you wish to provide input, please email benvenue-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au, with the subject heading 'Mural'.
Lost property
Each day, our staff collect a large number of misplaced items that have been left around the school after break times. Jumpers are the most frequently lost item. Please encourage your child to care for their possessions, as many of these go unclaimed.
We currently have a large number of named and unnamed uniform items. Named items are available for collection at the office. Unnamed uniform items are incorporated into the clothing pool after a period of time, while other items of property are donated to Vinnies or discarded.
Term 4 staffing
In Week 1 and most of Week 2 next term, I will be absent from school on long service leave. In Week 3, I will be representing the Armidale Primary Principals' Council at the annual state conference. In advance, I want to thank the teachers who will step into the following relieving roles in my absence:
Principal - Mrs Lana Howlett
Deputy Principal - Mr Zane Osborn
Stage 3 Assistant Principal - Mrs Sarah Farmer
Next term, we also welcome Mrs Sjaan Mitchell, who will be taking Miss Corby's class for the full term. Miss Corby will be on maternity leave and we wish her all the best for this new chapter in her life. Mrs Mitchell is a permanent Assistant Principal at Guyra Central School and successfully applied through a competitive expression of interest to work as an Assistant Principal with the Ben Venue team for a period of 18 months. Mrs Mitchell will continue the leadership work of Mrs Swain and we thank Mrs Swain for all her work with the Stage 2 team.
I wish all our students and families a safe and enjoyable two weeks in the school break. Students return on Monday 14 October.
Cam Pryce
Principal