Buninyong PS Newsletter

Principal's Report

INCREASING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS

 

Over the years we have gradually built a suite of initiatives and programs for selected students.  Some of these programs are designed to support wellbeing and learning, along with programs that give students the opportunity to pursue areas of interest and extend their learning.  This is something we’re proud of, as we seek to engage all students and ensure their learning and wellbeing needs are met.  This includes providing extension opportunities for students with particular interests and skills. 

 

The following will help give you a sense of initiatives and programs that are happening beyond the classroom for selected/identified students in 2024:

 

  • Scholarship Programs – These are for selected students in grades 4-6 and involve weekly sessions in Photography, Cooking, the Visual Arts and Music.  All 4 programs are now up and running.
  • Victorian High Abilities Program (VHAP) - Each term we have a number of Year 5/6 students who are selected to participate in VHAP. The students meet weekly and participate in the online program throughout the term, along with other like minded students from across Victoria in either the English or Mathematics program.
  • Tutor Learning Initiative (TLI)- This year we have been funded for one Tutor as part of the Tutor  Learning Initiative (TLI). This initiative is funded  for all schools across the state.  This year we have Kate Miller working in the role of tutor. Once again we have opted for a withdrawal intervention model to assist with targeting students who require a little extra support in various areas of literacy in Year 3.
  • Interventions –In addition to TLI, our Educational Support (ES) team is working in various areas of the school to run intervention with students who have been identified as requiring additional support. This semester this support is focussing on Year 1 and 2 students (Literacy) and focussing on year 4 and 5 students (Maths- Common Misunderstandings intervention program)
  • Ready Set Grow –Small groups of selected students from years 3 and 4, facilitated by the Friends of the Botanical Gardens, participate in gardening and maintenance activities that are designed to assist with positive mental health. Students develop practical skills growing their own plants and produce, focusing on sustainability and working together respectfully and safely. 
  • Cooking Classes – These are cooking sessions which involve small groups that run across 2 days of the week.  These sessions are great for students that need a bit of a boost, some TLC or a bit of time out of the classroom. As well as building practical life skills in the kitchen, students focus on teamwork and building relationships and confidence. 
  • STEM Extension – This involves selected students from grades 4-6 who have shown an aptitude in STEM and are keen to extend their knowledge and skills in this area of the curriculum.
  • Art Connection Program – Small groups of 3-4 students complete art activities that are designed to assist with positive mental health. Sessions are once per week and each activity is linked to a topic and includes prompts to promote conversations about positive mental health, wellbeing and coping skills.      
  • Therapy Dogs (Paw Pals)– Honey & Maple (and Jacqui!) are well known around the school! This year they will continue to support transition to school and then work with small groups of students to provide social and emotional learning with the help of the dogs. This may include  self management, self awareness, relationship and friendship skills. 
  • Federation University Primary School Outreach Program – Two provisional psychologists are allocated to our school, who support identified students with mild-moderate psychological needs, such as anxiety, school refusal, social skills, etc. As well as individual programs, some small group interventions will occur later in the year. 
  • Energy Breakthrough -This program is for students from grade 6 who want to test themselves physically and mentally.  These students learn about sustainability, while working with staff and parents to set up pedal carts before racing the carts against students from other schools in an 8 hour race in Maryborough.
  • Japan Trip – It’s fantastic that we are returning to the routine of taking a group of grade 5-6 students to Japan.  This is a fabulous opportunity for students to be immersed in Japanese culture and build on what they learn in the Japanese specialist program at school.
  • Interschool Sports – Typically this involves students from grade 5 and 6, who can try out for a range of sports. For students who like to challenge themselves, they are lucky that we take up the opportunity to send teams to a wide range of interschools sports.  These include athletics, swimming, cross country, lawn bowls, tennis, AFL, netball, soccer, cricket and basketball.  Teams that are successful at district level are supported to go on to regional level and then sometimes to state level.
  • GRIP Leadership Conference – Each year we invite grade 6 students to attend the annual GRIP Leadership Conference at the Melbourne Convention Centre along with students from approximately 300 schools across the state.  At this event students learn about what it means to be a leader and the strategies used by effective leaders.

 

As you can see from the list above, there’s a considerable effort being made to accommodate the needs and interests of students.  Collectively, these initiatives and programs are benefitting a large number of students at both campuses.  We greatly appreciate the efforts of staff, parents and community members who make all of the above possible. 

 

SCHOOL COUNCIL ELECTIONS

As of today, we are calling for nominations for parents to join School Council.  Official notice of this is attached. We have four parent member vacancies, each for a two year term, along with a 12 month casual vacancy.  If you would like to join School Council, just pop in and collect a nomination form which is available at the General Office and must be completed and returned by Tuesday, February 27th. If you are unable to make it into the office, please call and we can send a nomination form home.

 

If nominations exceed available positions, a ballot will be conducted from March 5th to 12th.  We will let parents know how they can participate if a ballot is required.

We ask you to please consider joining School Council and playing a part in shaping the direction taken by our school. The role is most satisfying as councillors get to see their ideas put into practice and have a positive impact on students, teachers and parents in our school community. Parent members are critical in providing School Council with a parent perspective.

 

No experience is required, just an interest in the education of your child/ren and other children attending our School.

 

The commitment is not huge - just one meeting per month (4th Monday of each month). Meetings start at 7:00pm and usually finish between 8:30 and 9pm. If you would like more information, give me a call.

 

OPEN MORNINGS

Early each school year we hold 2 Open Mornings.  These give prospective parents the opportunity to take a tour of the school.  A team of grade 6s (our Transition Team) are the tour guides on these days, which is a job they love. 

 

This year our Open Mornings will be held on March 6th and 7th between 9am and 1pm. Please pass the message on to anyone you know that has a child starting school in 2025.

 

GRADE 6 PHOTOGRAPHERS AT WORK

Our grade 6 Photography Team are a keen bunch this year, which is great to see.  Check out some snaps taken by Logan and Tess at last week’s 3-4 assembly. 

These are good considering it’s not easy to take quality photos in the gym!