Assistant Principal's Report 

Dear Parents and Carers,

Thank you to families and visitors for celebrating our students' amazing work and learning during our Specialist Fair last Thursday. It was a great opportunity to highlight our specialist classes: Visual Arts, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths), Physical Education, Performing Arts and Languages (Mandarin) and to see our students perform or demonstrate aspects of the program through musical items including the rock band and choir, art demonstrations, robotic demonstrations and Mandarin performances. We were fortunate to host Olympic silver medalist and Commonwealth gold medalist, Josh Simmonds, who shared his experiences as an athlete and member of the men’s hockey team, the Kookaburras. 

Our Year 5 campers had an amazing time at Alexandra. The weather was fantastic, allowing the students to embrace every aspect of the camping experience. Camp is a great opportunity for our students to learn new skills, grow friendships and further develop their independence. The students demonstrated our school values by participating in the Giant Swing, Laser Sport, Flying Fox, Orienteering, Gaga, Beach Volleyball/Bocce, Rock Climbing, Canoeing and Archery.  On behalf of all of our students, parents, and staff, I would like to thank- Teachers: Beth, Daniel, Ken and Ally and Parents: Grace, Les, Persephone, Renuka and Yuen Lam. These members of our school community gave generously of their time, and without their support the camp would not have been the success that it was.  

Last week, our Year 5 and Year 6 students visited Forest Hill College to see the Production ‘Legally Blonde’. This was an excellent experience for our students to see the opportunities students have in high school to be a part of a musical, including the staging, lighting, sound and performing. The production was thoroughly enjoyed by all. 

This Wednesday our Year 6 students attended the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) and MCG as part of our Term 3 Inquiry 'Innovations - Game Changers and Change Makers'. The Year 6 students have been investigating how sports innovations have influenced the world and how they are becoming more inclusive for everyone to participate. The students toured the Victorian Institute of Sport's Olympic and Paralympic training facilities, learning about the VIS and individual athletes, touring the gym and testing labs, and experiencing the training load of athletes. To further explore innovations and the evolution of sport, students also visited the Melbourne Sports Museum. Students were immersed in the sights, displays and sounds of Australian sport, connecting their learning across the term to the many stories from our sporting greats and celebrating legends from right around Australia. The students also developed their independence and familiarity with public transport ready for their transition to secondary schooling.

Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) Celebrations

PLCs bring together teams of teachers and leaders with a focus on success for every student. Teachers work collaboratively, sharing practice, taking collective responsibility and building pedagogical awareness to inspire change in our practice. The work of PLCs is undertaken through regular cycles of collaborative inquiry. This is where our staff ensure student learning drives teacher learning through targeted professional learning, classroom observation and the support of school leadership. During our after-school professional learning sessions, our PLC teams had the opportunity to share their Term 3 inquiry cycles and celebrate not only improved student outcomes but also their professional growth. 

Our PLCs focus on the ‘Seven Features of an Effective PLC’:

Collective teacher efficacy 

Collective approaches to the learning and development of all teachers to reduce the variation in quality teacher practice across classrooms are most effective in improving student outcomes. 

Collective responsibility 

A shared ownership for student learning outcomes. Teachers hold themselves responsible and accountable for the outcomes of all students. 

Collaborative practice 

A culture of trust that empowers teachers to learn and plan together and challenge each other’s mindsets, knowledge and practices. 

Inquiry-based approach 

Use of a data-driven inquiry approach like the FISO Improvement Cycle to effectively link professional learning and instructional planning to the learning needs of students. Effective PLCs engage in regular cycles of inquiry for continuous improvement. 

Use of evidence 

Decisions are evidence-informed and focused on student learning growth and teacher development. Effective PLCs use evidence at every stage of the inquiry cycle to diagnose and address student learning needs and monitor the impact of interventions. 

Alignment with school priorities 

PLC goals and strategies are directly linked to improvement aims in a school’s Annual Implementation Plan and School Strategic Plan and ensure these are reflected in teachers’ Professional Development Plans. 

Regular monitoring 

Regularly monitor the impact of teaching practices against student learning growth using student data, peer feedback and the feedback and guidance of a knowledgeable other.

(Source: DET)

R U OK? DAY

R U OK? Is a national organisation that encourages people to stay connected and have conversations that can help others through challenging times.

This year, R U OK? Day was on Thursday 12 September. Our school embraced this year’s theme and hosted ‘Wear Bright Colours to School’ on Friday 13 September because ‘R U OK?’ can be asked on any day. This also highlights the importance of regularly checking in with those around us. 

Foundation Transition 2025

Next term we will be hosting our first transition sessions for our 2025 Foundation students. The transition program assists our future Foundation students to become familiar with the teachers, their peers, and some of the facilities and programs at Burwood East Primary School. It also provides our teachers with the opportunity to get to know each child, build connections with parents and inform our planning for next year. The transition program plays an important part in each child’s transition to primary school and we look forward to meeting them on Thursday 31st  October.

We invite our 2025 Foundation parents/carers to an information session on Numeracy at BEPS during this time.  A big thanks to the Foundation team, Edwina and Wendy for their organisation and support.

Have a wonderful two week break and we look forward to seeing everyone return for Term 4!

Teri and Edwina