Principal's Report

 PREP TRANSITION SURVEYS 

There is a lot that goes into supporting students and families from kinder/day care into prep. The process goes over many months and involves liaising with local kinders and other early childhood centres, preparing and distributing information, open mornings, tours, the pre-schooler program, orientation day, buddies and a range of strategies to help preps and parents settle into school in the new year. 

Late in term 1 each year, we survey our prep parents to gather feedback on how their prep child has transitioned into school.  This is a useful way of helping us understand the impact of the transition process.  Parents are asked to rate key aspects of the transition process, for example:

• I was made to feel welcome on my initial contact with the school.
• The information I received from the school before enrolment was relevant and helpful.
• The transition visits to school were valuable and enjoyable for my child……. etc

Parents also had the opportunity to add written comments.

Recently the results were collated and last week I sat down with the prep team to consider the feedback gathered.  Overall, the results were extremely positive, suggesting the transition process we have in place is working nicely.  The results have also helped us understand where there are opportunities to improve.  The prep team has already planned a few subtle changes to the transition process in response to the feedback.

Well done to all involved in the transition process and a big thankyou to all parents who helped us out and took the time to complete a transition survey. 

This year’s preps are doing an awesome job.  In this cohort we are seeing a level of readiness, organisation and eagerness to learn that is off the charts.  As a result, they are having a lovely time and are making excellent progress.  This is testament to the combined work of our parents and staff.

BUNINYONG PLAYGROUP

It’s great that we get the opportunity to host the Buninyong Playgroup on a regular basis, sometimes at the Buninyong Campus and other times at the Scotsburn Campus.  For those involves this presents as an early opportunity for children to become confident and comfortable in the school environment.

Attached is a schedule for Play Group sessions during term 2.

BOOK FAIR 

The Book Fair is an annual event that serves to promote reading and an appreciation for books, while raising valuable funds that go straight back into the library.  Obviously, this enables us to keep the library shelves stocked with books that our children will enjoy and engage with.

 Well done to Kim who does a great job running a successful book fair every year and to all of our amazing parents who support this and other events. 

SCHOOL TOURS ON OFFER

If you know of someone that is considering our school as an option for 2026, recommend they give the office a call and request a tour.  Our Grade 6 Transition Team members at Buninyong and school leaders at Scotsburn are doing a great job conducting tours and they are happy to accommodate all newcomers.