Principal's  Report

Hello DPS,

Term three has started well and I am pleased to return after my leave and would like to extend my thanks to all staff, particularly to Carly, Niky, and Julia for their exceptional work during my absence. The school was in good hands thanks to their dedication. During the break, we completed several building works as part of our long-planned upgrade. The improvements include: - New astro turf on the basketball court and all courts - New furniture in the Prep classes - Tree removals for safety - Painting Art room windows building - New pavers/steps from the gym to junior building 2 - New edging, borders on the gardens, which looks amazing! - LED lighting & Hot water services -Government incentive. The cold weather has also played havoc with some of our water pipes which burst and had to be repaired. 

While we still have some work to do, we are proud of how our school is maintained and the latest improvements to our buildings and grounds look great. 

We recently received our NAPLAN data, and all indicators suggest we have seen wonderful improvements across all areas. This success is due to the hard work and dedication of our staff. Our new approach to understanding data means our planning is more specific and caters to individual learning goals and targets through better differentiation. 

We are very proud of our Doncaster Primary 2024 Naplan results, some being:

• DPS Year 3 students Proficiency level in Numeracy is 91% where the similar schools is 77%
• DPS Year 3 students Proficiency level in Reading is 91% where similar school is 79%
• DPS Year 3 students Proficiency level in Writing is 97% where similar schools is 87%
• DPS Year 5 students Proficiency level in Numeracy is 91% where similar schools is 82%
• DPS Year 5 students Proficiency level in Reading is 91% where  similar schools is 84%
• DPS Year 5 students Proficiency level in Writing is 94% where similar schools is 86%

Parent and Guardian Survey

Recently a random selection of parents recieved an invitation to compelete a survey about our school. The survey remains open until August 30th. If you did receive an invitation please take the time to complete the survey as your feedback is a good way for us to understand what is important at our school and we use this information to work towards greater improvements.

Our Prep team led by Di Meilak, has started Kinder visits in an effort to create stronger links between our school, kinders and preschools, ensuring they are well-informed about our great school. 

In August, parents and caregivers will have the opportunity to respond to the parent opinion survey. A random selection of 80 families will be asked to complete the survey to help us understand the needs and views of our community. 

As you would know, Carly Epskamp has been seconded to Highvale Primary School for Term 3. As a result Niky Corfios will continue in her Assistant Principal role and will be joined by Julia Bay as our other Assistant Principal. Di Meilak will be Acting (Literacy) Learning Specialist. We are fortunate to have highly capable staff willing to step up and lead aspects of the curriculum and general management of the school. Once again, a busy term awaits us. As Larissa Vesdrevanis has also moved on due to winning a promotion to Donburn Primary School we will be advertising some leadership vacancies.

We have a lot organised including but not restricted to the following: August 6th 13th 20th 27th GATEWAYS August 8th Kinder visit August 9th Grandparents Day August 9th Whole school assembly August 14th Newsletter August 19th Curriculum Day August 22nd Victorian Principal’s Association Conference August 30th Father’s Day Stall September 1st Father’s Day September 10th School Council September 18th Newsletter September 20th Last Day of Term 3 (2.15pm Dismissal).

DROP OFF AND PICK UP

Every day we have staff on our school gates to welcome students to school and to see them safely on their way home at pick up time. I am always at the top gate near the school office and some of the manoeuvres I see on a daily basis scare me!

Without going into the details (of my observations) I ask that you think carefully about drop off and pick up. Please park safely where your child can acces the school without being put at risk. Organise a meeting place for a safe pick up and please do not stop in traffic and wave your child/ren to run onto the road and quickly jump in the car.

I have recently been negotiating with the council to have a crossing installed out the back in Hummel Way so students who are dropped off in the council carpark can cross more safely. Based on the number of cars and pedestrians crossing, we are not eligable. The council have done a survey and based on these numbers we don't meet requirements for a crossing. There are footpaths and I encourage you to teach your child the best way to walk into the school once they leave the car. They can use the existing footpaths, it is a bit longer to walk on the paths to the school gate, but it is safer.

Out of School Hours Care

We have a before and after school care program at DPS. This is for those busy parents who work or have other committments on a regular basis. The program is also available for casual use. By that I mean you can use the program on the odd occasion when you are not able to drop your child off or collect them at the usual time.

We are beginning to see a number of students being picked up late and I urge all families to register with the OOSHC program so that if needed, your child can access the supervision of our OOSHC staff.

Most nights our staff have meetings as we work hard to prepare the curriculum as well as organising activities and events for students. This time is precious and we are not able to supervise students after school.

Therefore, I ask that all families enrol in the OOSHC program so if needed your child is supervised. Some of our students are being picked up late daily. This is essentially stretching the friendship and our staff have many other things to do after school and it is frustrating when it is the same students who are picked up late. It wold be really appreciated if all parents could pick children up on time after time after school.

ROTARY PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION  July 31st 2024

Congratulations to Elijah W.  who took out 1st place with his animated speech about Japan, hence the head band,  winning himself a $300 Bendigo Bank award, as well as another award from the WSP performing arts school with a $400 tuition voucher. 

Elijah will go on to represent DPS and the rotary club in the next round later in the year.

Congratulations also to Stephanie Z. who represented DPS. She spoke confidently and did an amazing job!

Thanks to our Assistant Principal Niky Corfios for her organisation of the evening that was held at DPS.

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE - Ten interesting facts about attendance

• Absenteeism in the first month of school can predict poor attendance throughout the school year. Half the students who miss 2-4 days in February-March go on to miss nearly a month of school.  
• The most recent data post Covid shows that the number of chronically absent has increased. This means that chronic absence has almost doubled.
• Absenteeism and its ill effects start early and impact significantly on one’s life beyond school. 
• Poor school attendance can influence whether children read proficiently by the end of grade 3. 
• By grade 6, chronic absence becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school. 
• Research shows that missing 10 percent of the school, or about 20 days, negatively affects a student’s academic performance. That’s just two days per month and that’s known as chronic absence. 
• Students who live in communities with high levels of poverty are four times more likely to be chronically absent than others often for reasons beyond their control, such as unstable housing, unreliable transportation and a lack of access to health care. 
• When students improve their attendance rates, they improve their academic prospects and chances for completing and graduating from high school. 
• Attendance improves links between home and school. 
• We track how many students show up every day and the reasons for absences on our attendance data wall and we follow five steps when students miss too many days. 
• EVERY DAY COUNTS 

The Theme for Book Week is Reading is Magic 

We have a range of events and activities as we celebrate Book Week in week 6.

Monday 19th August- Curriculum Day - Students do not attend school.

Tuesday 20th August- Cake Decorating Competition: Students bring in their cakes before school to the Junior Building related to a book or character and each class will visit the cake display and vote for each category. 

Please see the timetable for each visit and Marika's Compass post to parents.    

Wednesday 21st August- Book Fair arrives. 

Members of our Book Week Committee will set up. Sales from the fair go towards getting more literacy resources for our school.

Thursday 22nd August- Each class will visit the Book Fair and write their Wish List. Students will take these home to share with their parents. 

Book Fair Timetable.

Friday 23rd August- Book Fair Sales begin from 8:30-8:50 and 3:15-3:45 

(EFTPOS ONLY). 

Dress Up Day- P-3 Parade in the Gymnasium from 9:15 (Hosted by the Level 6 Captains and supervising teachers, Jess & Di). 

Level 4-6 Parade 10:15 (Hosted by the Level 6 Captains and supervising teacher, Marissa).  

Throughout the week, classes are scheduled in sessions to complete an activity for one of the Book Week Shortlisted books. 

We will also be holding a Colouring Competition and there will be one winner from P-2, 3-4 and 5-6. These are to be taken home to complete and this is optional. 

Levels 5 & 6 can design their own Reading is Magic poster. These are due in on Friday 23rd August.

Book Week Display in Library- Thank you Wendy McGeary for putting up a fabulous display in the Library for our students.

Book Fair Sales- 

Friday 23rd August- 8:30-8:50 

Friday 23rd August- 3:15-3:45 

Monday 26th August- 8:30-8:50 

Monday 26th August-3:15-3:45 

Tuesday 27th August- 8:30-8:50 

Regards

Jim Hill