From the Leadership Team
Dear GPS Community,
A very warm welcome to term three. It has been a wet and chilly start to the term but it has been wonderful to see all of our young people settle back into their learning environments positively.
A special welcome to all new families who have recently joined the GPS community, including sixteen mid-year Foundation students beginning their school journey. It has been a pleasure to begin getting to know them and they seem to have settled into the school environment very well.
Friday of week one was a scheduled Pupil Free Day for the school. Staff spent the day engaging in the fourth and final day of Berry Street Training that we began early last year. The Berry Street Education Model is a highly successful, evidence-based approach to behaviour education that equips educators with knowledge and strategies that enhance student wellbeing and learning.
From the Berry Street website:
Berry Street Education Model (BSEM) is an educator-designed, evidence-informed framework that equips teachers with practical tools to create classrooms where every student feels safe, engaged, and ready to learn. We understand the daily challenges educators face in meeting diverse student needs. That’s why the Berry Street Education Model offers a practical, evidence-based framework designed to support the whole child. With easy-to-implement strategies, BSEM empowers educators to improve student engagement, wellbeing, and academic success, helping every learner thrive.
Interestingly, the topic for our fourth day of training was Character and Values which is very relevant for us here at GPS presently. Late last term we launched the school’s new Cultural Framework that included a review of our school’s Vision, Mission and Values.
For over thirty years our school has had a hot air balloon as its logo and ‘The Sky’s the Limit’ as its motto.
After the review, the logo and motto remain but after a process of collaboration and consultation, we have developed the beginning of our Cultural Framework. This will now serve as the bedrock of what is to come, the foundation of an exciting future for our school community.
Our Cultural Framework can be found on our school website or by clicking the attachment below.
I look forward to another awesome term of learning and fun at GPS where we can continue to work in close partnership with our families to achieve the very best outcomes for all of our learners.
Yours Sincerely
Darren
NAPLAN Results
NAPLAN results were sent home with students in years 3 and 5 on Wednesday, 30th of July. Please note there is a minor error on the front page of the Individual Student Report (ISR), which incorrectly states 'Your child completed NAPLAN on paper'. This does not affect the accuracy of your child's results. The only paper test completed by GPS students was the Year 3 Writing test.
The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual national assessment for all students in years 3, 5, 7 and 9, and is the only nationwide assessment that all Australian children undertake.
It’s a measure to see whether or not young Australians are developing the literacy and numeracy skills that provide the critical foundation for other learning, and for their productive and rewarding participation in the community. The results should be considered together with school-based assessments and reports.
Optional Student Progress Conferences
Your child will be bringing home a letter from their class teacher informing you whether they request an interview or not. If your child is new to the school or in 1302, we highly recommend making a time to meet with your child's teacher.
The optional student progress conferences will be held in week 5 of this term. To book, go to the below link by Wednesday, 13 August at 10 am.
https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au/code/esz4h
Communicating with our Staff
While there are several ways information is communicated to our community, the bulk of our communication including newsletters and excursion forms is sent via email to both parents/carers of each child. The email will appear in your inbox from GREENWITH PS EdSmart Notice with the sender being forms@edsmart.com
*Please check to make sure the emails are not in your junk folder!
And keep us updated if your contact details change*
Attendance
In South Australia, all school children up to the age of 16 are required by law to attend school regularly. Everyday your child attends school counts, as regular attendance and being on time everyday helps students to:
- develop a sense of belonging
- develop and maintain friendships
- be more engaged at school
- progress with their learning
- experience success at school
Absences / Late Arrivals
Parents are encouraged to download the 'Sentrals for Parents' App in which you can complete the absentee notice. Free to download directly from the App Store or the Google Play Store. Access more information for Portal and app.
https://info.sentral.com.au/parents-app-school-setup
Example of the absences page below
If students arrive late, please ensure they report to the front office to obtain a late slip upon arrival, and that the late slip is provided to their teacher.