Weekly Views

Principal's Views

Over the past couple of weeks we have celebrated Education Week, Staff Wellbeing Week and currently Reconciliation Week. Both Education Week - Celebration of Cultures and Reconciliation Week - Bridging Now to Next, were focused on recognising the rich cultures and diversity of our school community.  Our second Community Hub session saw students and their parents draw something that represented their culture and we listened to Abdullah (4JT) and his mum read a book in both English and Arabic.

 

 

In staff wellbeing week - we focus on being our best selves so that we can give our best to students!! Staff enjoyed a hot soup lunch on Tuesday and a meeting free week. You may  also have noticed our termly week of matching wardrobes. 

Speaking of dress ups … don’t forget Wear it Yellow Day is next Monday, 2nd June supporting Children’s Ground for a bright future of First Nations children and families. 

 

National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements—and to reflect on how we can all contribute to building respectful relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the wider community.

This year’s theme, ‘Bridging Now to Next’, is a reminder that no matter what, the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people must continue.

 

The Prep Breakfast last week was a highlight. The Principal team loved having breakfast with our Preppies in their pyjamas and we heard some great stories over the breakfast table. The pancakes were a big hit and we were very lucky to receive our own personalised placemats. 

 

 

Student Led Conferences are coming up on Wednesday 25th June 

Student-led conferences are a valuable opportunity to strengthen partnerships between school and home, and action student voice in line with our Annual Implementation Plan.  Students take ownership of their learning by sharing work they’re proud of, reflecting on their progress, and identifying their next steps or goals. Teachers will support the conversation and parents will have an opportunity to discuss student progress and ask any questions.  Reports will be published on Monday 23rd June. 

 

Learning and curriculum update – Jess Duncan

 

 

AIP Goal 1: Optimise the learning growth of every student. 

Key Improvement Strategy: Strengthen teacher capacity to analyse and use learning and wellbeing data to inform differentiated learning. 

Action: Support PLCs to use targeted data and inquiry cycles to improve student learning outcomes.

 

As a school, we remain committed to ensuring every student experiences learning growth, with a clear focus this year on strengthening the use of data to inform differentiated teaching and learning. Our actions have been closely aligned to our AIP priorities, and we continue to support staff at all levels to build capacity in data literacy, targeted teaching, and family engagement.

 

Progress on 2025 AIP Activities- Activities are in bold.

 

Students will engage in learning opportunities within their learning zone

Teachers are using a broad range of assessment tools to ensure students are taught at their point of need through:

  • Pre and post assessments in Numeracy

  • Writing rubrics to assess growth before and after each unit

  • Tracking the growth of students' reading to target instruction effectively

  • Phonics assessments and the Mathematics Online Interview (MOI) to identify gaps in foundational skills

  • Delivery of targeted supports and enrichment through tutoring, Learning Support Programs (LSP), and the Victorian High-Ability Program (VHAP)

Teachers will partner and communicate with families about learning and assessment

We continue to strengthen home-school partnerships by:

  • Sharing learning through CATs, reports, and classroom updates via Seesaw

  • Team termly homework tasks linked to the learning of Literacy, Numeracy and Inquiry happening in class published on the school website

  • Upcoming student-led conferences following report publication to increase student ownership and family connection

  • Making progress phone calls where needed to ensure families remain informed and engaged in their child’s learning and wellbeing journey

  • Launching our Community Hub and trialling this with families who speak other languages at home to engage with the school and other families with similar background languages

Teachers will use student data collected from multiple sources to inform differentiated planning and teaching

Through structured team planning and PLC collaboration, teachers are analysing:

  • Common Assessment Tasks (CATs), writing rubrics, reading conferences, NAPLAN and PAT results

  • Teacher observations

  • Wellbeing data

  • Student work samples in all learning areas

These data sets inform personalised instruction, targeted small group work, and intervention strategies.

 

Leaders will coach in data literacy strategies and assessment, using principles for responsible data use and differentiation

We are investing in our staff through:

  • Professional Learning (PL) on extending and enabling learning and effective reporting

  • Implementation of the Data Wise Inquiry, helping PLCs become more purposeful and analytical in their use of data

  • Leading Literacy and Numeracy moderation to support consistent and accurate assessment across the school

Leaders will model and upskill staff to have a relentless focus on evidence and equity

Leadership teams are actively involved in:

  • Pre-planning with team leaders, ensuring planning is responsive and evidence-based

  • Supporting staff through our School Improvement Team (SIT) to understand how to use data in a responsible way

  • Maintaining a strong focus on equity by tracking the progress of priority cohorts and ensuring all students have access to high-quality instruction 

 

EVPS Wear it Yellow Day for Children’s Ground 

Students are welcome to join the staff and wear yellow on Monday 2nd June - if you would like to support this fundraiser here is the link to donate.

 

 

 

Important dates to remember:

Curriculum Day Friday 6th June - pupil free day

King's Birthday Public Holiday Monday 9th June

Student Led Conferences - Wednesday 25th June

 

Rachel Griffiths,

Acting Principal

 

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