Skye Primary School Newsletter

Principal's Report

Tim Bernau | Acting Principal

Dear Skye Families 

 

As we bid farewell to 2023, it's a time to reflect on our journey through the year. This final newsletter is a celebration of our collective efforts, achievements, and the spirit of our school community.

Teaching and Learning 

 

NAPLAN Highlights: Positive Student Achievement

This year, our students achieved some pleasing results in NAPLAN, with Year 3 performing well in Reading (7% above similar schools), Writing (3%), and Grammar and Punctuation (3%). Year 5 students followed suit, in Reading (7%), Writing (7%), and Spelling (a remarkable 24% above). These results are a testament to our hardworking students and ongoing committment to growth and improvement. 

 

Professional Learning Communities - Enhancing Teacher Expertise 

Our Professional Learning Communities (PLC) have had a significant impact this year. The alignment with Teacher Peer Observations and Sub-School Professional Learning has notably improved teacher professional knowledge and practice. The staff survey results reflect a strong investment in current Professional Learning and an enthusiasm for refining practice.

 

Maths Development - Fostering Problem Solving Skills 

The team has dedicated considerable time to developing deep mathematical thinking skills in our students. By introducing engaging problem-solving scenarios, we have encouraged students to stretch their thinking, take risks, and articulate and justify their solutions. This approach has complemented our core teaching methodologies, providing authentic opportunities for students to apply their mathematical understandings to new and challenging contexts.

 

Literacy Development - Aligning with the Science of Reading

In Literacy, the team has worked diligently to align our approaches with the Science of Reading. This includes a deep dive into the Big 6 of Literacy, refinement of our reading instructional model informed by EDI (Explicit Direct Instruction), and the further development of a structured Literacy block to incorporate phonics, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, morphology, comprehension and fluency. 

 

Mathematics Curriculum

We are proud of the development of the Skye PS F-6 Mathematics Big Ideas Scope and Sequence. This initiative involved deep reflection and analysis of previous practices, identifying gaps and areas for improvement. It has provided a more coherent curriculum, connecting various strands of mathematics and ensuring a more integrated and comprehensive understanding for our students.

Wellbeing

Our focus on developing more effective systems and processes for School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) has led to a more consistent and effective approach to the teaching and management of student behaviors. The use of consistent SWPBS language and visual aids in classrooms and around the school has improved students' understanding and adherence to expected behaviors. Our ongoing connection with Berry St and introduction to the Berry St Education Model has highlighted the importance of trauma-informed positive education practices, complementing our existing Tier 1 approaches. We look forward to continuing Berry St professional learning with our whole staff next year. 

Welcoming Graeme Mill - New Student Wellbeing Mentor

We are thrilled to introduce a significant addition to our Skye Primary School team for 2024, Graeme Mill, who will be joining us as our Student Wellbeing Mentor. Funded by the National Student Wellbeing Program, Graeme will work with us on Mondays and Wednesdays to provide crucial pastoral care and guidance. His role is designed to support the emotional, social, and academic wellbeing of our students, offering individual support and developing broader strategies that contribute to the wellbeing of our entire school community. Graeme brings with him a wealth of experience in student support most recently at Narre Warren North PS and a deep understanding of the challenges facing young learners today. Importantly, Graeme's role is secular in nature, focusing on the holistic wellbeing of students without any religious instruction or counselling, ensuring inclusivity and respect for the diverse backgrounds of our school community.

 

Community 

Our community events this year have showcased the strength of the Skye Primary School community spirit. We kicked off with our spectacular 150th Celebration and Carnival, a day filled with a lot of unfortunate rain but also a heap of joy, laughter, and community spirit, featuring exciting rides, a petting zoo, and a variety of food options, drawing families together in celebration. Our Art Show was another highlight, showcasing the creativity and talent of our students, and receiving rave reviews from parents and visitors alike. The Twilight Sports and Meet the Teacher event provided a great opportunity for parents to connect with teachers in a relaxed, fun-filled environment, strengthening the bonds between home and school. Our Science Fair was a showcase of curiosity and innovation, where students and parents engaged in a range of interactive and educational experiments, highlighting our commitment to fostering a love of science. The Respectful Relationships Open Afternoon offered valuable insights into this vital aspect of our Wellbeing curriculum, demonstrating our proactive approach to building positive and respectful connections within our community. Finally, the Community Picnic was a celebration of the festive season, featuring musical performances from our students, and was a perfect way to bring the year to a close, with families gathering to enjoy a relaxed evening on the grass. Each of these events not only provided enjoyment but also played a crucial role in building and nurturing the strong, supportive community that is the heart of Skye Primary School.

Graduation

Our Year 6 Graduation was a splendid affair, celebrating the accomplishments of our graduates. We acknowledge the hard work of the organizing committee (Gabby Grant, Carly Davis, Carly Donald, Carlie Neald, Wendy Jones and Sheree Jones) and congratulate all award winners for their remarkable achievements. This event was a fitting tribute to our students’ journey at Skye Primary School.

 

Congratulations to the following award recipients: 

  • RSL Citizenship Award: Ryan Smith
  • Carrum Downs Secondary College Award: Logen Enez
  • Skye School Spirit Award: Holly Donald
  • Valedictorian: Morgan Hoth and Kindra Vella
  • McClelland Secondary College Award: Archie McGrath
  • Sonya Kilkenny Community Award:  Charlotte Sanderson
  • Louise Dunkley Shield: Hunter Vaipo
  • Music Award: Emily Jordan
  • STEAM Award: Bridie Lowing
  • Japanese Award: Ryan Smith
  • PE Award: Scarlett Smith
  • Art Award: Eliza Delley

Farewells

Farewell to Lisa Male

As we close this year, we bid a fond farewell to Lisa Male, an esteemed member of our Skye Primary School family, who is embarking on a new chapter in her career at Derinya PS. Lisa's journey with us began in 2001, and over the years, she has been a cornerstone of our school's growth and development. Her versatility as an educator is reflected in the range of classes she has taught and the numerous leadership roles she has undertaken, particularly in curriculum, data, assessment, wellbeing, and inclusion. Lisa's dedication and passion have been evident in her involvement in many successful school improvement initiatives. Her ability to forge lasting connections with staff, parents, and students alike has been a hallmark of her career at Skye. Lisa's departure is a significant moment for us all, and while we are sad to see her go, we are excited for her as she explores new horizons. Her expertise, knowledge, wisdom, care, and compassion will be profoundly missed at Skye Primary School. We wish Lisa all the very best in her new role, confident that she will continue to inspire and impact the lives of many more students and educators.

 

Farewell to Jan Mulholland

This year also sees the retirement of Jan Mulholland, marking the conclusion of an extraordinary and impactful 40+ year career in education, the latter part of which was spent enriching the lives of students at Skye Primary School since 1998. Jan's journey in education has been as varied as it has been inspiring, having lived and taught in several countries and actively engaged in women's rights and animal rights activism. Her achievements extend beyond the classroom, including accolades as a karate champion. At Skye Primary School, Jan has been one of our most talented, knowledgeable, and impactful teachers. She has been more than an educator; she has been a mentor and a friend to many staff members and has formed strong bonds within our community. Jan's retirement is not just a milestone in her life but also a moment of reflection for us on the profound influence she has had on our school. We wish Jan all the best in her future endeavours, confident that she will continue to inspire and make a difference in whatever path she chooses. Her legacy at Skye Primary is one of passion, dedication, and exceptional teaching, and she will be greatly missed.

 

2024 Curriculum Days

Our Curriculum Day dates for 2024 were approved by School Council last week. Please place the following dates in your calendar:

 

Term 1

  • Monday 29th January
  • Friday 16th February

Term 2

  • Monday 24th June

Term 3

  • Friday 2nd August

 

Thanks to everyone for your support and contributions throughout the year. Have a wonderful holiday break and we look forward to seeing you back for a big 2024!

 

Take care, 

 

Tim