From the Acting Assistant Principal
BE INVOLVED, BE CONNECTED
Dear Families,
STUDENT LED CONFERENCES
This week saw our students lead their parents through their learning journeys across the school. Students at all year levels celebrated their reading, writing, and maths with their families with pride. Excitingly we had a superb turnout to visit our specialist classrooms to see the learning in these spaces as well. We want to thank you for your partnership to celebrate your children’s learning as it is key to their continued success at school.
ANTI-RACISM
Recently our staff underwent Professional Learning regarding Anti-Racism. This professional learning is an on-going conversation regarding how our school can continue grow in inclusivity. The biggest proactive strategy our community can use to combat Racism is to be an Upstander. There are a variety of strategies we can teach our kids in order to be an Upstander, which can include calling it out when you hear/see it, telling a trusted adult to help intervene, and checking in on your friend after an occurrence. Most importantly in being an Upstander, if you are worried after the incident, talk to a trusted adult. If you are interested in more information here are two links:
3-part ABC iview series: The School That Tried to End Racism
NATIONAL COLLECTION OF CONSISTENT DATA FOR STUDENTS WITH A DISABILITY (NCCD)
The NCCD is a tool which helps to collect data regarding students either with a diagnosed disability or with an imputed disability. To be eligible to be included in the annual NCCD collection we determine whether there is an adjustment being made to support the student’s learning and/or wellbeing at school. If there is, then we determine at what level this adjustment falls: differentiated teaching, supplementary, substantial, or extensive. Based on the amount of adjustments and their levels, we then determine the category of disability. This collected data is used by the government to determine funding and ensure the government has an accurate picture of the support schools are implementing for their students with a disability. If you would like more information, please see the following fact sheet for parents and carers.
https://www.nccd.edu.au/tools/fact-sheet-parents-guardians-and-carers
ATTENDANCE
Did you know that if your child is absent more than 5% of the school year it starts to negatively affect their learning outcomes for the year? While we know that illness is a challenge when it comes to attendance, there are a few ways we can ensure that we maximise the potential of every day.
1. Be on time for school every day.
Our soft start at 8:50am helps to enable our students to begin learning at 9am. If students are present and on-time, they receive the routine and predictability of the morning to help them start their day at their best.
2. Try to schedule appointments for outside of school hours.
Every minute gained by being in school ensures our students get their best opportunities to learn every day.
3. Absence Learning Plan
If you know your child will need to miss 2 weeks or more of school, you’ll need to email Ms. Arnold for approval and cc your classroom teacher. Your child’s teacher can write an Absence Learning Plan, which in turn is approved by Ms. Arnold.
REMEMBER!
- Students need to attend school regularly to make the most of educational opportunities.
- There is a direct link between school attendance and achievement later in life.
- Poor patterns of attendance in the early years lead to poor patterns of attendance throughout the school years.
- Poor attendance makes it difficult for children to form positive relationships with their peers.
PARENTING LINKS
Finally, we have some great parenting links for helpful information worth your notice:
Emotion Focused Parenting
Emotion Focused Parenting | Online - Anglicare Victoria
Raising Resilient Kids
Raising Resilient Kids | Online - Anglicare Victoria
ABC News Article
If a child is upset or tired, is it OK to let them stay home from school? - ABC News
Sam Smrekar Thompson
Acting Assistant Principal
Samantha.smrekarthompson@education.vic.gov.au