Principal's News

Dear Clayton North Primary School Community

I begin this newsletter article by sharing with you the exciting news that Clayton North Primary School achieved the largest increase in the Average Scale Score between 2023 and 2024 for NAPLAN Year 5 Reading! This is a fantastic and well-deserved recognition of the school's focus on reading and literacy over the past few years. I take this opportunity to congratulate all teachers; your commitment and perseverance have certainly paid off! 

This visible outcome gives us confidence that we are on the right journey with prioritising programs and facilities, such as the Junior School's 'Read with Me' 10-minute morning routine and reviving the library. However, instilling the joy of reading in children and reaping the benefits this brings to all aspects of our lives, requires much more than 10 minutes each school day. We need parents and carers to actively partner with the school in the achievement of this goal by making time to read with their child every night. I understand that it is not always easy to find the time in our busy schedules, but reading is one of the most important skills a child will ever learn: The OECD Reading for Change Report 2002 found that reading for pleasure is the single most important indicator of a child’s future success - even more powerful than socio-economic background. 

When we give a child the gift of reading, it’s something that will stay with them forever and open many doors. Books help us to understand the world beyond our own and essentially, what it is to be human. We owe it to them to make sure that reading is a skill they have for life. 

To support and enhance students’ reading experience, the F-2 library is nearly ready to open its doors! In addition, the 2025 Year 3-6 student diary has several pages dedicated to keeping a record of the books read. We will explore other ways and means to prioritise and showcase reading.  

Right to Disconnect

'On Monday 26 August 2024, an amendment to the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Act 2023 came into effect. The new provisions will be adopted alongside the department’s existing industrial and employment obligations, including occupational health and safety commitments. The legislation makes explicit that all employees have the right to refuse contact from their employer or a third party (such as a student or a parent) outside of their normal working hours, unless that refusal is unreasonable. This means an employee can refuse to monitor, read or respond to contact that occurs outside their normal working hours.’

Schools have been asked to communicate with parents and carers about expectations and timeframes for communicating with school staff. The new Right to Disconnect policy provides additional details and guidance. At Clayton North PS, the communication platforms are Compass, Seesaw and Email. The school office is open from 8.30 am to 4 pm on school days, and where appropriate, queries should be directed to the office. Please be aware that a number of our staff work part-time, and communication with these staff should be restricted to their working days, during school hours. Thank you for your cooperation in complying with the policy and supporting staff wellbeing.

Get creative for Premier's Christmas Card Competition

Get your pencils, felt-tip pens and paint brushes ready. The Hon Jacinta Allan MP, Premier of Victoria, is looking for Christmas-inspired artwork to include in the Christmas card she will send to Victorians this year.

Children aged 12 and under can submit a drawing or painting that shows their Christmas experience. There are no criteria, so please get as creative as you like.

Entries are open until Friday 15 November 2024.

How to submit your entry:

To submit an entry, you should send your artwork by either: 

·  email: jacinta.allan@parliament.vic.gov.au

· post: Office of the Premier, 1 Treasury Place, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002.

Please also include your name, suburb and contact details.

Good luck! 

Sue Simadri