A Message from the Deputy Principal
Community Conversations: Homework
We would like to hold a Community Conversation focused on homework on Monday 24th June from 2:15-3:15pm. Geraldine Crowe, Jessica Mazzone and Vanessa Bonanzinga will be leading this event as members of the School Advisory Council and there will be a number of student and staff representatives present.
The purpose of the gathering will be for us to share current research, local policies and perspectives related to homework and the development of a schoolwide policy and approach. It will provide all attendees with an opportunity to reflect upon and share their views and personal perspectives on the matter. There will be further information sent out in an Audiri closer to the date and an opportunity for you to have your say if you are unable to attend this event.
Building a national picture of child health
From May 2024, our school, along with thousands of others across the country, will participate in the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC). The AEDC is a teacher-completed census (similar to a survey) which provides a comprehensive picture of how children have developed by the time they start their first year of full-time school. The AEDC is an Australian Government initiative and is completed nationally every three years.
Children do not miss any class time while the AEDC is completed, and parents/carers do not need to supply schools with any new information. The data collected through the AEDC is used by schools, communities and governments to better understand children and families’ needs, and identify the services, resources and support they need.
AEDC data is reported at a school, community, state/territory and national level. AEDC results for individual children are not reported and the AEDC is not used as an individual diagnostic tool. Some teachers have found that completing the AEDC made them more aware of the needs of individual children and their class, and that the data was useful for planning for transition to Year 1 and developing programs.
Participation in the AEDC is voluntary, however, the AEDC relies on all schools with children in their first year of full-time school participating in the collection. Parents/carers do not need to take any action unless they choose not include their children in the census.
To find out more about the AEDC and how it is being used to help children and families visit www.aedc.gov.au. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Kind regards,
Geraldine Crowe
Deputy Principal