Delacombe Primary School

From The Principal's Desk

Term 1 Week 4 2024 

 

Dear Parents and Carers,

 

Welcome to Week 4 of the term.  It was a great start to see so many of our families come to our Open House event on Monday night and meet the staff and also involve themselves in the ‘Scavenger hunt’.  It certainly provided a positive vibe around the school and it was wonderful to also see many grandparents looking in our classrooms and seeing what the students are learning.

 

 

Next week our Grade 6 students will have their camp down to Melbourne and this is set to commence on Monday 26th Feb.  Camps are always a terrific way for our students to learn about new experiences, make some new friends and become more independent.  It always asks a little more of our staff, but it is a part of school that provides so many positive memories.  I will be going with the Grade 6 team next week and look forward to the event.  In my absence Marnie Cooper, Stephanie Lindsay and Mr Columbro will be in charge of the school.

 

School Update 

 

School Council

Our February meeting was held on Monday evening. At the meeting the following was discussed:

 

Planned Curriculum Days for 2024-dates at Delacombe PS 

  • Friday 26th April - Writing PD (3rd day)
  • Tuesday 28th May - Common Professional Day (Report Writing)

      A Tuesday was selected so that same students and teachers don’t miss out on   

                    specialist classes.

  • Monday 25th November (Report writing)

 

School Concert 2024 - planned day of rest for students and teachers

 

Our current timetable for concert week looks as shown above.  It would mean that students would perform on Wednesday night and Thursday night (on the Thursday students would be fed at school and be transported to the concert via a bus).  The extra hours teachers log in this time would be a financial cost to the school budget for Time in Lieu.  The proposal to School Council was for Friday 23rd August to be a student free day.

 

We looked at current excursions coming up and also discussed the pathway from the school to the oval and the problems this might occur for students, staff and parents.  This matter has been raised with the City of Ballarat and we will look at what can be a solution to this problem.

 

Concert year 

Each year that we have Concert we opt not to hold a Book Week event.  One of the main reasons for this is that we have asked families to support costumes and tickets for the school concert and to ask again for another event is financially a stretch. 

 

Annual General meeting

On Monday 25th March we will be holding our Annual General meeting and be tabling the Annual Report for 2023 in the School Staffroom at 6.45pm. The AGM will detail the achievements for 2023 and include department data to support this document. If you wish to attend the AGM and you are not on the School Council could you let us know, you are most welcome to attend.

 

 School Update 

As of today, we are calling for nominations for parents to join the School Council for 2024.  Official notice of this   appears below.  We have 5 Parent member vacancies for a two year term and 1 Community member vacancy. If you would like to join the School Council, just pop in and collect a nomination form which is available at the General Office and must be completed and returned by Friday March 1st.  If you are unable to make it into the office, please call and we can send a nomination form home.  If nominations exceed available positions, a ballot will be conducted from March 12th  to 15th.  We will let parents know how they can participate in that ballot if one is required.

 We ask you to please consider joining the School Council and playing a part in shaping the direction taken by our school.  The role is most satisfying as councillors get to see their ideas put into practice and have a positive impact on students, teachers and parents in our school community.  Parent members are critical in providing the School Council with a parent perspective. No experience is required, just an interest in the education of your child/ren and other children attending our School.  The commitment is not huge - just one meeting per month.  Meetings start at 6:45pm and finish between 8:00 and 8.30pm.  If you would like more information, give Scott, Marnie or Steph a call.

 

Advanced Notice

Some key dates and events coming up:

  • Friday 1st March is Grade 5 Health Day 
  • Grade 2 Swimming starts on Monday 4th March 
  • Grade 5 Sovereign Hill experience is on Tuesday 5th March
  • Next Assembly is Wednesday 6th March 
  • Friday 8th March is Grade 6 Health Day
  • March 13th -March 25th is NAPLAN testing for our Grade 3 and Grade 5 students
  • Friday 17th March we will practise our first Evacuation drill for the year.  This practise we prepare the students for, and plan for, a calm exit to a safe place.
  • House Athletics Day on Thursday 7th March for Grade 3-6

 

Parents & Friends 

Parents and Friends will meet on Friday 23rd February at 2.30pm in the Re-set room.  This meeting will deal directly with any upcoming fundraisers. 

 

 

 

Have a great week – Scott, Marnie, Stephanie and Michael