Principal's Message

From the Principal

Term 2 – Week 2 Newsletter 

Principal Report –  The shift to Disability Inclusion 

This year, all schools in Hamilton are transitioning from the previous Program for Students with a Disability funding model to Disability Inclusion. As the name implies, the new approach is about introducing changes to better support students with a disability and additional learning needs in being successful at school.

For our school, there are two areas we have been focusing on as part of these changes. The first is implementing inclusive practices in classrooms to improve all students’ access to learning. As a school we have been fortunate to be allocated a regional staff member with expertise in this space, Lisa Saunders who has been working closely with our DI team – Ben Kelson, Danah Clark and Trish Taylor. From working with Lisa staff are making adjustments in their classroom that include the use of visual timetables, being clear about routines and expectations, and developing an ‘economy of language’, where teachers consciously reduce the amount of instruction they give. Each area team also has a Disability Inclusion Champion, who is developing expertise in areas such as ASD and ADHD. Our champions are Cindy Riddle, Alison Smith, Jess Smith, and Georgie Paton. As DI champions, their role is to assist other teachers in their team with implementing targeted strategies. It’s great to see our staff continue to embrace opportunities to learn and grow.

The second component of change this year is the funding all schools receive and are able to apply for that supports students in need of additional support. All schools receive school level funding that helps provide resources to support learning, including Educational Support (ES) staff in classrooms. At Gray Street, each of our area teams are assisted by Educational Support staff, who work closely with teachers to improve student learning outcomes.  Sometimes this is through general classroom support, while at other times our highly skilled ES staff provide small group intervention or one-on-one support. This is dependent on the needs of the area team at the time.

Schools are also able to apply for additional funding where more substantial adjustments are required. To ensure there is a clear plan for submitting funding applications for specific students, our Disability Inclusion Team monitor learning data and consult with staff to develop a priority list. The application process is lengthy and, as such, we are limited in the number of applications we can work on at any given time. Successful funding again then supports the provision of additional resources to support learning, including Educational Support (ES) staff in classrooms. If you have any queries about the support your child receives — or you feel they may require — please check in with your classroom teacher. Our upcoming Parent Teacher Interviews on Thursday 12th June will also be a great opportunity to do this.

Bake Sale 

A big thankyou to all our families who contributed to last week’s Bake Sale. The array of food, flowers and goodies was amazing as was the team work in organising and running the stall. The Bake Sale was our second fundraiser for the year with all proceeds going towards covering the buses for end of year camps. We estimate the buses to cost approximately $10,000 and to date we have raised nearly half of this with $2,200 from our Easter Raffle and $1,800 from last week’s Bake Sale. Towards the end of the term our Student Voice team will be holding another casual dress day. This will be a colours theme where students will donate the items needed for an end of term jelly day. The team are currently finalising the details on how the colour theme will work and what items students will bring. 

Year 3 – 6 Cross Country –District and Division 

Last week our school cross country place getters once again took on the lake in the District Cross Country. Again, our students embraced this opportunity with a positive mindset and determination. Each student should be proud of achieving the opportunity to compete at this level, including the 10 students who then progressed today to Division Level in Warrnambool. Although running conditions today are similar to the last two weeks Warrnambool always provides a much tougher course. Communication this morning from Mr Kelson was that all students were happy with their efforts and result, and that Sophie Stewart is now off to the next level. Congratulations Sophie. 

Reconciliation Walk

On Tuesday May 27th our School Leaders have been invited to participate in a Reconciliation Walk as part of Reconciliation Week.  This walk is an opportunity for the leaders of each Hamilton School to come together with Windamarra Corporation, and the broader Southern Grampians community as a shared commitment to reconciliation, respect, and a more united future. The group will assemble at Gray Street Primary School and walk together to a Council-hosted Morning Tea at 10.30am at Melville Oval. 

Report Writing Day 

A Reminder to parents that Friday June 6th is a School Council Approved Report Writing Day. No students are required at school on this day.