From the Principal
This week our school community has thoroughly enjoyed celebrating our cultural diversity and our theme of “Belonging” as part of our Harmony Day and week celebrations.
On Monday we began our Harmony week celebrations with the official opening of our Japanese Garden and mural. Students presented some very thoughtful Haiku poems about the garden and our row of lanterns was cut by Noriko Sensei who we saw for the last time before she returned to Japan this week.
On Wednesday parents ran Cultural activities for our students which certainly were appreciated as this opportunity provided new learning for us all. Thank you to the many parents that facilitated these activities for our students.
Our Harmony Day assembly on Friday was yet another wonderful celebration of the cultural diversity and excellent learning experiences that children have at West Beach PS. Aasma Rathore, a parent from Pakistan, shared with us information about her culture and language (Urdu), her experience of migrating, what she misses about Pakistan and the opportunities that living in Australia provides for her family.
Throughout this term we welcome the following students to our school: Bailey in Room 7, Maddi and Tingxuan in Room 8 and Martha in Room 9.
Next Term Mathew Charleston will return to West Beach Primary School and continue in the role of Deputy Principal. Tina Mouzakitis will return to the role of Year 4/5 and R-7 Drama teacher. I would like to sincerely thank Tina for the wonderful job that she has done in the role of Deputy Principal during Term 1. Thank you also to Julie Wright who has done an outstanding job teaching Drama and Room 8 during Term one.
Parent Teacher Interviews
Over the course of the next two weeks all parents will be offered the opportunity to attend parent-teacher interviews. Interviews present you with an opportunity to discuss and reflect on your child’s skills, abilities, understandings and dispositions for learning which together give you a picture of how well your child’s learning and personal development is progressing.
The partnerships formed between parents and teachers are vital for the success and wellbeing of your child. Communication is key! With this in mind, I strongly encourage you to take the time to meet with your child’s teacher and discuss how you can support in the learning process and where your child is at with their learning.
The interview will provide you with a better understanding about your child’s academic, emotional, social and physical development. Your child’s strengths and areas for growth can be discussed. Teachers can also provide invaluable feedback on the behaviour of your child in the classroom and their approach to learning.
Your child’s teacher may have requested that the child, parent and teacher are involved in a learning interview. These interviews provide a chance for teachers, students and parents to acknowledge student progress and achievement. In three-way interviews, students have the chance to talk about their learning achievements, as well as areas for improvement.
Teachers are often in the best position to recognise when learning support or extension is required. Shared goals can be set based on discussions during interviews that will further improve the relationship between parents and students and strengthen opportunities for learning.
When parents don’t have any particular concerns, they often wonder whether it’s worth going to parent-teacher interviews. But going along is one way to show your child that you’re interested in their learning and what’s happening for them at school.
The following are some possible questions that you could ask your child’s teacher:
What are my child’s strengths?
Are they achieving at the standard for their year level?
In what areas does my child need improvement?
How can I help my child to improve in these areas?
What about effort, is my child doing their best?
What are my child’s goals?
On Tuesday 4th April, Tina and I will be available to talk to parents. Please join us in the staffroom for refreshments before or after your interview time.
School Uniform
Our Governing Council and staff would like all students to be wearing the correct school uniform in 2017. When the uniform is worn correctly by every child it does create a sense of pride and belonging to our school. While nearly every child is wearing the correct school top, there is still some students in light grey or blue shorts/ skirts. Dark grey shorts/ stubbies or skirts which are all available from the school are the correct colour. Thank you for your support with this.
School Carpark
There are an increasing number of parents and students entering and departing school via the staff carpark and carpark entrance.Please note that the staff carpark is to be only used by parents with a disabled parking permit. This is an unsafe area due to the number of staff and contractor vehicles entering and departing. Please note also that student pick up and drop off should not be occurring in the staff carpark.
School Photos
MSP Photography will be at our school on Thursday 6th April to take class and individual student photos. Please take time to read the relevant information on the MSP payment envelopes and remember these helpful points:
- Don’t seal envelopes inside each other – You can pay for all children in one envelope, however, each child needs to have their own envelope on photo day.
- Family envelopes are available at the school office.
- Please enclose correct money, no change is given – cash, cheques and money orders only. Credit card payments can only be made online.
- Please ensure all students are on time for school and are in correct school uniform.
Please visit www.msp.com.au or phone 8132 1148 or email enquiries.adl@msp.com.au for any queries.
Due: Fri 31st March
Cut off day for orders no late orders
BACK UP DAY Date: Fri 7th April