Principal's Breakfast - City of Whittlesea

On Tuesday, Rae Gittos and myself attended the City of Whittlesea Principal Breakfast, bringing together schools, community services and local agencies to discuss how we can best support young people. The focus of the morning was on student safety, wellbeing and early intervention. Guest speakers shared practical ways schools and families can work together to support children and respond to challenges early. The event highlighted the importance of strong partnerships among schools, families, and the wider community to ensure that all students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.

Introducing Our Reflection Hub

To support a highly productive learning environment, our school will be introducing the Reflection Hub in Term 3. This will be a structured approach that helps students reflect on learning behaviours that will support maximising learning time in the classroom. The Reflection Hub is not a 'punishment'. It provides students with an opportunity to pause, reflect on their actions, understand the impact on others' learning, and develop strategies for improvement (a reset). Students may attend the Reflection Hub when they are not engaging in learning despite support and redirection. Prior to this, teachers provide clear instructions, guidance and opportunities for students to complete required learning. Reflection takes place at the start of break times to ensure learning time is protected. Students then return from break to class with a clear plan. Classroom Teachers then support a positive transition back into learning. Families are informed through Compass, and staff will monitor this data to ensure appropriate individualised support is in place. This approach helps build student responsibility, self-regulation and a positive learning environment for all.

Community Safety Orders & Teachers

Strengthening Safety in Our Schools

The Victorian Department of Education has recently updated its guidance around Community Safety Orders (CSOs), reinforcing a strong commitment to ensuring that schools remain safe, respectful, and supportive environments for both students and staff.

You may have heard about this in the media. Community Safety Orders provide Principals with the authority to restrict or prohibit parents, carers, or other adults from entering school grounds or contacting staff when their behaviour poses a risk to safety or wellbeing.

Importantly, these changes allow schools to respond earlier, before situations escalate. The scope of CSOs has also been broadened to include inappropriate behaviour outside school grounds, such as online harassment or threatening communications directed at staff. This reinforces a zero-tolerance approach to aggressive or abusive behaviour and ensures that staff feel supported in reporting concerns. Clearer processes and stronger protections mean that issues can be addressed more efficiently and effectively.

Our school is committed to maintaining a safe and respectful community for everyone. We value the strong partnerships we have with our families and appreciate your ongoing support in upholding these expectations.

Front Gates & Lighting

Work on our security upgrade has commenced, and whilst we did have a little 'hiccup' when we hit a water pipe, we are now ready to move to the next stage of the upgrade. In addition, we have also installed spotlights along our community wall. It is still a work in progress as we are now waiting to see the brightness and 'fall' of the light.

Baby News

Congratulations to Ms Erin Short (6A classroom teacher) on the arrival of Leighton Mae. Ms Short and her family are doing well.

Lastly I would like to let our community know that Mr Matt Kirkright is currently on long service leave for the rest fo the term. Mr Kirkright will be back at the start of Term 3.

Enjoy your weekends

Kaylene

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