School Council Update

This week the School Council met to consider a range of matters. They included;

Junior School Council Report demonstrated the depth of experience in the area of student voice. Plans for the development of a ‘Student Voice’ podcast, purchases of a new set of school chess pieces, applications for Student Council of the year, the development of a set of expectations throughout the school that reflect our school values, were just some of the activities presented by student representatives.
2024 will see schools in the area shift towards a more strength based structuring of meeting the need of students with disabilities. A presentation on the new Disability Inclusion model was shared with council. Currently staff are participating in professional development to better understand the implications of the change. Further information will be shared with our community over the coming months.
Updated Attitudes to School Data was shared with Council members. It provided a clearer picture of how the school stands alongside similar schools and statewide means. This data showed measures at or above similar schools. Of particular strengths in the wellbeing data were in the areas of help seeking behaviour, emotional awareness and regulations, and perseverance.

Sausage Sizzled!

A special thanks to all those who baked cakes, turned sausages as well as collected payment at the FORPS Sausage Sizzle and Cake Stall on Saturday. Their contribution went a long way in raising an extraordinary amount of money … over $2 000!

Working Bee Invite

We’re looking forward to trimming some edges, pruning bushes and simply dressing up the school on the weekend prior to the School Fair. While we do not want to draw upon the many volunteers required for the Fair, we are hopeful some might be happy to spend the morning of 11 November to complete a cleanup. Pencil it in, there will be more information to come.

Special Student Photos Session

Next Tuesday, 24 October, a range of students will have their sports, leadership and graduation photos taken. Please ensure students are on time!

Building Relationships with our Local Kindergartens

Over the coming weeks we will continue to build connections with our local kindergarten and early childhood centres. Several local excursions are planned for our prep students to share their learning with younger children. A number of other visits from early childhood centres are also scheduled. This strengthening of relationships will continue to support the transition into primary education for future students.

Years 4/5/6 Wellbeing Day

Students will enjoy a focus on leadership and social/emotional learning on Monday 21 October. It will be an opportunity to support the development of student engagement and connection with a view to shaping our 2024 senior school.

REMINDER: 2024 Student Class Placement

Each year at this time we invite parents to share their thoughts and information which may affect their child’s class placement for the following year.

The process of placing students into new classes is both complex and layered. A whole range of interconnected factors go into decision making. These factors include; academic performance, social and emotional development, behaviour, independence, relational groups, student history, as well as student and parental suggestions. The focus on shaping classes for the coming year is always on building connected communities that are balanced throughout the whole school and support the needs of all students.

1. Students’ Learning Friends

Students are invited to create a group of five Learning Friends for the coming year. We will do everything we can to ensure that each student has at least one learning friend in their 2024 class. This list of friendships is sent home with students so that parents can have input and share in the discussion with students. These 2024 Learning Friends will be sent home in Week 4 by Friday 27 Oct. Parents are asked to discuss these choices with their child, make changes if required, sign it and return it to the classroom teacher by Wednesday 1 November.

2. Parents/Carers Reflections

If there are specific requests for student placement in 2024 that are not covered in students’ identification of learning friendships, you can make a request in writing to the principal. Recognising the complexity of the process, I ask that your requests be limited to no more than three suggestions. Any parent requests should be sent to the school email address rosanna.ps@education.vic.gov.au. The request should include ‘2024 Class Placement’ in the subject line and be received by Friday, 3 November. Any correspondence received after this date cannot be considered.

In shaping classes, teachers make every effort to consider all factors presented, but we cannot guarantee that all requests will be accommodated. All will be considered. It is important to note that requests for specific teachers cannot be accepted.

Frogmouth Update

A reminder to look up as you pass underneath the large tree outside Chandler Hall. Our new little fledging will soon take flight. Don’t miss out seeing this celebration of our Australian landscape.

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