Blackburn Primary School Weekly

Principal's Report

What an action packed last couple of weeks it has been! Even without looking at the dates I'm sensing end of term-itis is well and truly upon us. Students are a bit tired, teachers are DEFINITELY tired and I'm guessing that parents are too! 

 

Over the last fortnight I have spent some time working with Foundation Students who have grown so much and have loved sharing their writing and how they are using the writing process with Marianne and me. When they bring their work to the office they are beaming with pride and rightly so.

 

This Friday night at 6pm we ask all BPS community members to get behind Annabelle Colman when she competes at the 2024 Paralympic games. Annabelle came to BPS to do the official opening of our running track and is coached by our school council president, Anthony De Castella.

JENNY ATTA VISIT

Last Friday we welcomed the Secretary of the Department to visit BPS. Jenny’s visit to the school is in relation to the ongoing strong results of the school. Jenny is the head of the Department and having her visit is an important honour!

 

Jenny was incredibly impressed with the school and particularly commented on 

  • The very settled nature of the school and students
  • The clear focus on learning
  • The confident and articulate students we have
  • The approaches to teaching and learning
  • The clear and evidence based approaches we have, particularly in relation to the recent announcement regarding phonics instruction.
  • Impressed by the concert band who performed for her. (and she conducted)

An absolute privilege to host her and opportunities such as this confirm what we are doing and why we should be incredibly proud of our students, staff and school.

 

BOOK FUN DAY

Our Book Fun Day celebration is always one of the most celebrated days for our students and community. A wonderful day celebrating all things reading and a special experience for our students hearing from the amazing Felice Arena. Our students got to be the very first school to hear a reading his brand new unreleased book and share some of his writing and illustrating journey. 

RIGHT TO DISCONNECT

On Monday 26 August 2024, an amendment to the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Act 2023 came into effect. The legislation makes explicit that all employees have the right to refuse contact from their employer or a third party (such as a student or a parent) outside of their normal working hours, unless that refusal is unreasonable. This means an employee can refuse to monitor, read or respond to contact that occurs outside their normal working hours.

 

As a school we will work through what this means but also feel it important to acknowledge the working hours of operation for the school - 

 

School Office - The school office opens from 8.00am - 4.00pm, Monday to Friday (excluding school holiday periods). This includes the school phone and school email (blackburn.ps@education.vic.gov.au). Outside of these hours there is an answering service for the phones and emails will be responded to when received in the next business day.

 

Emails and Phone Calls - School-based staff will read, monitor, and respond to emails and phone calls during their working hours.

 

Teaching Staff - We have the most amazing committed staff who are always there to support BPS and the learning and wellbeing of your children. Full time teachers are expected to be at school for 7 hours each day between 8.45am and 3.45pm. In addition to this, they have one Staff Meeting until 4.45pm each week, along with two other afternoons until 4.45pm in meetings or working collaboratively with colleagues. This makes up the 38-hour week that they are paid for.

 

Due to their commitment and discretionary effort, many teachers at BPS arrive around 8.00am (or before) to prepare for the working day - even though they technically do not have to start work until 8.45am. Additionally, it would be rare for any primary school teacher to leave before 5.00pm on any given night during the week. Hence, it’s typical for the average teacher to be onsite at school for much more than the 38 hours per week that they are paid for. Additionally, teachers also do an inordinate amount of correction, planning, and assessment within their own time at home.

 

EARLY FINISH

Just a reminder that our last day of term is Friday 20th September.  We finish up at 2.30pm and Theircare will be offering a program for families requiring it.