Principal's Report

Dear Skye Families,

Parent Opinion Survey

Our school is conducting the annual Parent/Caregiver/Guardian Opinion Survey offered by the Department of Education and is seeking feedback from our families. The survey is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of families' perceptions of school climate, student behaviour, and student engagement. The survey is sent to 35% of our families through a randomly generated sample. If you receive the survey invitation, we strongly encourage you to complete it. If you have any questions, please contact the office.

Curriculum Day Reflections

Last Friday's Curriculum Day saw our entire staff complete the final session of the Berry Street Education Model training. This has been a two-year commitment to ensuring our staff are equipped with the latest evidence in trauma-informed positive education, which forms a core part of our Wellbeing program at Skye. Friday's session focused on character strengths and the importance of recognising and celebrating these strengths in students to build unconditional positive regard. Strengths-based approaches recognise that all people have inherent strengths, and that identifying, mobilising and sharing these strengths are powerful ways of building positive communities and enacting change. If we only focus on students' difficulties and unmet needs, we miss valuable opportunities to identify and strengthen their capabilities. The session emphasised the importance of educators shifting their attention to building and celebrating our students' strengths, resources and potential.

Year 3 Camp 

Our Year 3 cohort has returned from an unforgettable first camp experience at the picturesque Golden Valleys Adventure Camp in Flinders! Nestled in stunning countryside dotted with native wildlife, the camp provided an inspiring environment for adventure and discovery. Many students faced their first significant time away from home with admirable bravery and excitement, rising to meet every challenge that came their way. Whether scaling the vertical climbing wall, soaring through the air on the giant swing, or persevering through unpredictable weather conditions, they displayed remarkable strength of character and mutual support. Our sincere appreciation goes to Helen Hamill for her excellent organisation of this camp, and to all the staff and parent helpers whose presence ensured a safe and memorable experience for everyone.

Wellbeing Open Afternoon

We're excited to open our classrooms to parents for our Wellbeing Open Afternoon in Week 7. Wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do at Skye Primary. We know that when students feel safe, valued, and supported, they are best equipped to learn, grow, and thrive. Our approach is proactive, inclusive, and grounded in evidence-based, trauma-informed practices, ensuring the emotional, social, and physical wellbeing of every child.

The open afternoon will focus on Emotional Awareness and Regulation—fundamental skills that form the foundation of our wellbeing program. Emotional awareness involves recognising and understanding one's own emotions and the emotions of others, while emotional regulation is the ability to manage and respond to emotions in a healthy, constructive way. These interconnected skills contribute to better mental health, stronger relationships, improved decision-making, and enhanced learning outcomes.

During the session, you'll have the opportunity to see firsthand how we teach these vital skills in age-appropriate ways across all year levels. You'll observe classroom activities, explore the resources and strategies we use, and gain insights into how you can support your child's emotional development at home. 

This is a wonderful opportunity to strengthen the home-school partnership in supporting your child's wellbeing journey. Stay tuned for more detailed information about session times!

Supporting Our Wonderful Parent Volunteers - Working with Children Check

We are incredibly grateful for the many ways our parent community supports Skye Primary School. From providing invaluable literacy support in classrooms and nurturing our kitchen garden program, to the dedicated work of our Parents, Teachers and Friends group and countless other volunteer activities, your involvement makes a real difference to our students' learning experiences. To ensure we can continue welcoming parent volunteers while meeting our child safety obligations, all volunteers working directly with students need a current Working with Children Check. 

We want to assure you that obtaining a WWCC is straightforward and completely free for volunteers. The application process has been streamlined with online applications now available through Service Victoria, allowing you to apply immediately using your phone. If you're interested in volunteering but have questions about the application process or need assistance with your online application, please don't hesitate to contact the office—we're here to support you every step of the way. Your willingness to contribute to our school community is valued, and we want to ensure the application process is never a barrier to your involvement.

100 Days of Foundation

Well done and congratulations to all our Foundation students on completing 100 days of school! From the very first day, our little learners have made tremendous progress in their development. We're incredibly proud of them and look forward to watching their continued growth throughout the year.

Reaching 100 days is a significant milestone that represents not just the passage of time, but the incredible journey our Foundation students have taken in becoming confident, capable learners. In these first 100 days, we've watched shy newcomers transform into enthusiastic participants who eagerly share their learning, form meaningful friendships, and develop independence in their daily routines. Their progress in literacy and numeracy has been remarkable—from learning letter sounds and beginning to blend words, to confidently counting, recognising patterns, and solving problems. Perhaps most importantly, we've seen them develop resilience, curiosity, and a genuine love of learning that will serve them throughout their school life. Our Foundation teachers have done an exceptional job creating nurturing, engaging environments where every child feels valued and supported to reach their potential. As we celebrate this milestone, we're excited to see what the next 100 days will bring for these amazing Prep.

Have a great fortnight!

Warm regards, 

Tim