The Golden Vine

From the School Leadership Team

Celebrating Our PYP Programme Evaluation 

The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) evaluation process represents far more than a compliance exercise—it is a transformative journey that validates our educational philosophy, celebrates our achievements, and charts our path forward. This week, from Wednesday 6 to Friday 8 August, we had the privilege of hosting our PYP evaluation with two external evaluators—one visiting our school on-site and another participating virtually. As we reflect on this intensive and enriching evaluation experience, we are filled with pride in what we have accomplished and excitement for the opportunities that lie ahead.

 

The Value of External Validation

One of the most significant benefits of the IB evaluation process is the external validation it provides for our educational practices. During our three-day evaluation this week, having experienced IB educators and evaluators—both on-site and virtual—observe our classrooms, review our documentation, and engage with our community offered an invaluable outside perspective on our work. This external lens confirmed that our commitment to inquiry-based learning, international-mindedness, and student agency is not only theoretically sound but practically effective in fostering student growth and development. The evaluation process validates the countless hours our teachers spend planning transdisciplinary units, creating authentic assessment tasks, and nurturing the attributes of the IB learner profile. When external evaluators recognise these efforts and affirm their impact on student learning, it energises our entire school community and reinforces our shared commitment to excellence.

 

Constructive Feedback as a Catalyst for Growth. 

Perhaps one of the most valuable outcomes of the evaluation process is the detailed, constructive feedback we receive. This feedback serves as a professional mirror, reflecting both our strengths and areas for continued development. Rather than viewing recommendations as criticisms, we embrace them as opportunities to refine our practice and enhance the educational experience we provide for our students. The evaluation feedback helps us identify innovative approaches being implemented in other PYP schools worldwide, exposing us to fresh perspectives and best practices that we can adapt to our unique context. This global connection strengthens our international-mindedness and ensures our students benefit from the collective wisdom of the broader IB community.

 

Acknowledging Outstanding Leadership

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Jayne Zadow, who has served as our Director of PYP Teaching and Learning for many years. Jayne's dedicated leadership has been instrumental in guiding our school through the comprehensive action plan that followed our previous evaluation. Her unwavering commitment to the PYP philosophy, her skillful navigation of complex educational challenges, and her ability to inspire and support our teaching team have been truly remarkable. Under Jayne's leadership, we have seen significant growth in our understanding and implementation of the PYP framework. She has fostered a culture of continuous reflection and improvement, ensuring that our action plan was not merely a document to be filed away, but a living roadmap that guided our daily practices and long-term strategic decisions. Her efforts have positioned our school as a model PYP institution, and her legacy will continue to influence our educational journey for years to come.

 

Welcoming New Leadership

As we look toward the future, we are delighted to welcome Rachel Saunders, who will be joining us next year as our new Director of PYP Teaching and Learning in 2026. Rachel brings broad perspectives and expertise that will undoubtedly contribute to our continued growth and development. We are confident that she will build upon the strong foundation established under Jayne's leadership while introducing new innovations and approaches that will further enhance our PYP implementation.

 

The Collaborative Nature of Excellence

The evaluation process highlights one of the most beautiful aspects of the PYP: its collaborative nature. Success in implementing the programme requires the dedication and cooperation of teachers and our staff team, our leadership team and school board, students, and families working together toward common goals. The evaluation celebrates this collective effort and recognises that educational excellence is not the result of individual achievement but of community commitment. Our teachers' willingness to embrace inquiry-based pedagogy, our students' enthusiasm for learning through exploration, and our families' support for the PYP philosophy all contribute to the rich tapestry of our educational community. The evaluation process acknowledges and celebrates these diverse contributions.

 

Looking Forward with Confidence

As we move forward from our evaluation, we do so with renewed confidence in our educational approach and clarity about our next steps. The feedback we will receive provides a roadmap for continued improvement, while the validation of our current practices affirms that we are on the right path. The PYP evaluation process has reinforced our belief that education should be transformative, engaging, and meaningful. It has reminded us that our commitment to developing inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people is not just an aspiration but an achievable goal that we are actively pursuing every day. We are grateful for the opportunity to participate in this rigorous evaluation process, thankful for the leadership that has brought us to this point, and excited about the journey that lies ahead. The PYP evaluation is not an end point but a milestone in our ongoing commitment to educational excellence and continuous improvement. Through this process, we have not only been evaluated—we have been affirmed, challenged, and inspired to reach even greater heights in our mission to provide world-class education for our students.

 

P & F Bingo Night - Saturday 9 August 

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for a fun evening at our Parents & Friends Bingo Night! This proved to be a fantastic community event filled with prizes, laughter, and great company. A huge thank you to Sarah and our P & F team for all of their efforts in arranging the evening and to Renae for all of her efforts in being our bingo caller! 

 

Serve Up Hope - Pong a Thon for Freedom

Friday 15th & Saturday 16th August

Our school is excited to partner with Golden Grove Lutheran Church for an incredible weekend event that combines fun, fitness, and fighting for freedom! Join us for our Ping Pong-a-thon - a unique fundraising tournament dedicated to combating modern slavery around the world.

  • When: Friday 15th and Saturday 16th August
  • Where: Worship Centre 
  • Who: Open to all students, families, and community members
  • What: Ping pong games and fundraising activities

Every serve, every point, and every game will help raise funds and awareness for organisations working tirelessly to end human trafficking and modern slavery. This partnership with Golden Grove Lutheran Church reflects our shared commitment to social justice and protecting vulnerable people worldwide.

 

You can be involved by registering to play, sponsoring a player, making a donation, volunteering to help out, or simply coming along to cheer us on. 

 

Details are available from the church or school office. Donations can also be made at the following link https://pingpongathon.com/goldengrovepong

 

Casual Clothes Day

Friday 15 August will be a casual clothes day where students can dress up as a sporting person or just wear casual clothes and bring a gold coin donation for Pong a Thon.

 

School Photos 

Thank you to all of our students and families for your support with school photos - the students looked very smart last Tuesday! We appreciate all of the time that our Class Carers gave in volunteering to help the day run so smoothly.

 

Volunteering in the School 

We appreciate many families giving of their time and expertise to volunteer in the school, whether it be with our school canteen, P & F Events, school camps, GLOW Week or classroom assistance. A reminder to please ensure that your WWCC details are up to date, along with RAHN and VSC training. Further information on our volunteering requirements is available from our website. 

 

A few reminders

Please be reminded of some of our key events coming up: 

 

Term 3

  • Thursday 14 August – Year 5/6 SACSA Netball
  • Friday 15 August – Year 3/4 SACSA Netball
  • Friday 15 August – Pong A Thon
  • Tuesday 19 August – Book Week Parade
  • Tuesday 19 August – Middle of Term (MOT) Breakfast
  • Friday 29 August – Date Night
  • Monday 1 September – Father’s Day Stall
  • Thursday 4 September – Mark Le Messuirer – managing anxiety and big emotions in children 7.00pm to 8.30pm in the Worship Centre
  • Friday 5 September – Pupil Free Day – show day
  • Wednesday 10 September – Year 3/4 SACSA AFL
  • Wednesday 10 September – Principal Tour 9.15am
  • Wednesday 10 September – Exhibition viewing for Parents
  • Thursday 11 September – Year 5/6 SACSA AFL
  • Friday 12 September – SAPSASA Tennis
  • Friday 12 September – Messy Church
  • Friday 19 September – Special Person’s Afternoon

Our full school calendar can also be viewed on the school website. 

 

Will Wallace 

Principal