VALUES

We are so thrilled with the definitions of our new school values, developed with feedback from our community:

BE KIND: We are kind to ourselves and others with our words and actions. We make respectful and caring choices that positively impact other people. We build relationships to create a community where everybody belongs.

BE RESPONSIBLE: We look after ourselves and show respect to people, places and our environment. We make positive choices and understand that our choices can impact others. We do the right thing even if no one is watching and accept the results of our actions.

BE AN ACTIVE LEARNER: We engage with our learning and are curious to learn more about the people and world around us. We strive to do our best and persist when faced with challenges. We are proud of our efforts and celebrate our achievements.

The SRC and student voices recently launched a competition to design new values awards – results will be shared soon! Our tiered seating has had an incredible makeover, celebrating our values, thanks to the design and planning of Melanie Davis and her team of painters including some wonderful parents and Ms Michael. Just a few final touches to go! Each fortnight in term 3, we will launch a new value at assembly. Lessons on each value will be explicitly taught and associated behaviours will be encouraged and rewarded.

PHORMES – IMPORTANT CHANGES

As you know, we are now implementing a whole-school phonics, spelling, and word study program called Phormes. Each morning, all classes will be engaged in these focused lessons. It is essential that your child arrives at school on time, ready to learn by 9:00am. Please aim to have them here by 8:55am to allow time to settle into class before explicit instruction begins.

To maintain the integrity of the program, we are committed to minimising all interruptions during Phormes lessons. This means that Allied Health therapists will not be visiting classrooms during this time, students will not be withdrawn for instrumental music lessons, and Story Dogs will visit after the morning block. Parent helpers—please note that teachers will also be asking you to adjust your usual support times for activities such as reading support.

We are confident that this dedicated approach to explicit instruction will have a powerful impact on student outcomes in reading and spelling, and we are proud to prioritise and protect this valuable learning time.

RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIPS

Respectful Relationships education is a core component of the Victorian Curriculum. The initiative focuses on embedding a culture of respect and equality across the entire school. It teaches our children how to build healthy relationships, resilience and confidence.

A key part of this is the ‘Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships’ program, which we implement through our weekly wellbeing sessions. The learning materials cover eight topics of Social and Emotional Learning across all levels of primary and secondary education. These age-appropriate resources help students learn and practice social skills and apply them in a positive way to learning, life and relationships.

In Semester Two, these two topics focus on Gender Norms and Stereotypes, and Positive Gender Relationships. This helps provide students the tools to understand diversity and difference, and how to navigate these relationships in safe respectful ways.

STAFFING UPDATES

Firstly, I would like to thank Melanie Davis, who has done an outstanding job of supporting student wellbeing over the past semester, while maintaining her coaching role among many other hats. Melanie will be on personal leave during term three and we look forward to her return in term 4. Johanne Abbott will be stepping out of the classroom in semester two, to fulfill this role. Johanne will predominantly support students from 3-6 so please don’t hesitate to reach out to her, where needed.

As we say a huge thankyou and goodbye to Andrew Beattie (see previous Compass post), we welcome back Rebecca Rosen. Rebecca will be teaching PE alongside Can Osman and we’re thrilled to have her back!

Emma O’Sullivan has been with us for a number of years as a CRT and has more recently provided tutoring and Prep support. As she heads back to Ireland, we thank her for her incredible passion and professionalism. Isabel Bohan, who has been supporting 5C this term will be stepping in to support our Preps in Literacy for term 3 and will be teaching year 5A on Fridays. We are also saying farewell to Sian Bayard who is moving to another school and thank her for her contribution to SMPPS. Sergio Msahli Azagane will be teaching 5B in semester two. Here’s a message from Sergio:

Hello! My name is Sergio and I’m excited to be your teacher this year. I was born in Spain 33 years ago and played professional soccer around the world before relocating to Australia in 2014. I’ve now been teaching for 8 years and have continued to play soccer alongside my teaching career.

I believe teaching is about creating fun, engaging opportunities and letting learning flourish as a result. Outside the classroom, I’m passionate about music—especially flamenco—and love discovering new sounds. During the COVID lockdowns, I picked up some creative hobbies like working with clay and experimenting with cooking.

I’m looking forward to an amazing year of learning and new adventures with my students.¡Vamos a aprender, crecer y disfrutar juntos esta aventura! 🌟

Nicole

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