Principal's Report
National Reconciliation Week
This week we are celebrating National Reconciliation Week at Preston Primary and across Australia.
The National Reconciliation Week (NRW) 2025 theme, Bridging Now to Next, reflects the ongoing connection between past, present, and future and urges us to look ahead and continue the push forward as past lessons guide us.
On Friday we are encouraging our students to wear a yellow accessory to show their support for National Reconciliation Week.
Review
This year is our year of review and we are required to reflect on our performance against the goals from our current Strategic Plan.
The first part of the process is to complete a Pre-Review Self-Evaluation (PRSE). The second part consists of a department appointed reviewer coming into the school to see the school at work.
Our reviewer Wendy Larcombe was provided with the PRSE prior to her visits so she had an understanding of the school. The panel will complete a four day review of the school. On the final day we will set the goals for our next Strategic Plan. Once we receive the final report we will write the new plan.
On Monday we held the first of our Review days. The panel consisted of:
- Wendy Larcombe, the reviewer
- Graham Stevenson, the Senior Education Improvement Leader
- David Twite and Lara Cleeland, who were the Challenge Partners
- Alison Harvey, our School Council President
- Dale Adams and myself
The day started with a discussion relating to the School’s performance over the past four years. Throughout the day the panel visited classrooms to observe the practices that were happening, met with student focus groups to get their view of the school and their learning, and met with some of the staff. At the end of the day, we reviewed what the panel had observed throughout the day.
Tuesday was the second day of the process however the panel was smaller and only consisted of Wendy, Graham, David and Lara. During the day they focused on the Junior School classes.
They observed literacy and numeracy sessions in both Prep and Grade 1 classrooms. They also attended planning sessions and had discussions with classroom teachers, met with some further student focus groups and members of the teaching support staff.
The panel will return on Wednesday June 11th. At 9am on that day they would like to meet with a parent group to get their views of the school. If you would be interested in joining the group, please email me at janet.paterson@education.vic.gov.au
Education Week
Thank you to the families who were able to visit the school last week during Education Week. We certainly had lots of visitors, which was great! The children really enjoy the time spent showing their family members their work and doing various activities together.
Comedy Night - Save the Date: Friday August 8th
Once again, we will be holding our Annual Comedy Night. At this stage we have two comedians booked, Tom Gleeson and Bron Lewis, and one yet to be named. Once again Adam Rozenbachs will be hosting the evening.
The event will be held in the Milking Shed at the Senior School and ticketing information will be posted when the final line up is set.
Put the date in your diary now so you don’t miss out!
Regards
Janet Paterson,
Principal.