Rosanna Primary School Newsletter

A note from Mr Jackson

Teachers Go to School on Curriculum Day Friday 6 May

Teachers went to school on Friday and learned lots about the new Victorian Teaching and Learning Model 2.0.  The revised VTLM (VTLM 2.0) is informed by contemporary evidence about the way students learn and the most effective teaching practices and approaches to achieve strong learning outcomes for students, including priority cohorts. It has explicit teaching at its core.

 

The Rosanna Primary staff joined with teachers from Viewbank Primary, Ivanhoe Primary and Watsonia North Primary for the day. The initial part of the day saw teachers explore the ‘Elements of Learning’ that included;

  • Attention, focus and regulation
  • Knowledge and memory
  • Retention and recall
  • Mastery and application

The afternoon saw Rosanna Primary staff gather and begin reviewing the instructional model here at Rosanna Primary School. They considered the impact of the day’s learning on their teaching practice. There was rich discussion about the central expectations of teaching across the school. 

 

I hope that with the extended break that included the Professional Practice Day for teachers on the Tuesday, parents and carers found opportunities to connect and enjoy life together.

 

Campfire Conversations 

Wednesday 11 June

This week First Nations’ student travelled again via bus to join with about 45 other First nations’ students from nearby and local schools. They had an opportunity to meet Phil HOWe, a local artist with a remarkable experience of life as an artist. He showed a wide range of works from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and encouraged students to make their own mark, as well as tell their own stories on paper. Students used pencils, crayons, textas and ochre. A warm hot chocolate and a sausage was enjoyed by all. We all found warmth around the campfire and enjoyed the afternoon. 

 

Painting Continues

The painting of Chandler Hall and the Canteen has been completed over the last week and a half. Currently the storeroom in the canteen as well as the music room is being painted.

 

Thanks to the TheirCare team as well as teachers for their flexibility that has seen these spaces refreshed. Having not been painted since its construction the spaces were in need of a freshen up.

 

Canteen Closure this Week

The Canteen has been closed this week due to unforeseen circumstances. We acknowledge the disruption that this has caused for some in our community and apologise for the inconvenience. We look forward to reopening next week with our normal Term 2 days (Tues-Fri).

 

1/2 Take to the Pool in Term 3

The 3/4 Learning Area have thrived in the pool over Term 2. Skills learned in previous years have come together. It was wonderful to hear one student emerge from the water with eyes wide exclaiming in amazement, ‘I can swim!’. Sometimes it takes time for our brain and body to join the individual skills together!

 

In term 3, it will be the students in Year 1 and Year 2 who will take to the water. From week 1 students will start their seven weeks of lessons. Further information will be provided shortly, keep your eye on Compass.

 

The department partners with families to make this an affordable experience for all students. While the Department pays the instructional costs, parents will pay for the entry fee to the Ivanhoe Aquatic Centre and the transport costs.

 

Department Announces new Racism Policy

I have noted in the previous newsletter and area specific Compass post, concerns over reports of racist language used in the playground by a small number of students. Such behaviour is not tolerated at Rosanna Primary School. 

 

The Department of Education and Training (DET) Victoria has a new racism policy aimed at preventing and addressing racism in Victorian government schools. This policy aligns with Child Safe Standards 1 and 5 and mandates schools to create safe and inclusive environments, respond effectively to racism incidents, and report them to the department. The policy can be found here.

 

Reports concerning any incidents regarding racism should be made to your child’s classroom teacher, myself or Justine Convery promptly so that it can be followed up. If you do not wish to report to the school or are unhappy with the response from the school, you should report the incident to the Racism hotline (available 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) on 1800 722 476.

 

End of the Day Handover

Supervision in the yard ends at 3:45pm. Students who have not been picked up are encouraged to go to the office. Staff are not available to supervise students beyond this point. TheirCare provides a service for parents who are delayed or unable to pick up their child at the end of the day.

 

Parents with concerns over unsupervised students should see the staff person on yard duty in the lower or upper playground. Parents are asked not to engage with other students unless they have consent of the supervising parent. Please see the Principal or Assistant Principal if you have any concerns over student wellbeing. Thanks for keeping our community safe.

 

Attendance Impacted by Illness

As we venture into the colder months, many members of our community have been impacted by illness. There have been numerous cases of influenza, COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses circulating in the community. Such experiences are disruptive to learning and life at the school. I encourage all to continue to reinforce hygienic practices and ensure students remain home if unwell. The department recommends that staff members, students or visitors who have symptoms of cold, influenza or COVID-19 not to attend school, or go home as soon as possible after becoming unwell at school. Consideration of the health and wellbeing of all will see us well through the winter.

 

Planning Week Preparation 

Starting 23 June

During the week starting Monday 23 June, teachers will be provided with time to evaluate Term 2 learning and teaching and plan for the coming term. During this time teachers plan collaboratively in Learning Areas. The planned days set aside for areas are;

  • 34 Learning Area - Monday 

  • 12 Learning Area - Tuesday 

  • Prep Learning Area - Wednesday 

  • 56 Learning - Thursday 

During the time teachers are completing planning responsibilities, classroom learning will be supported by specialists with some support from outside staff. I encourage you to have a conversation with children to support them during this change to routine. 

 

Emergency Drill 

Wednesday 19 June

Students, teachers and all onsite will be participating in an emergency drill as part of our Emergency Management Planning next week. Students will rehearse and evaluate the lockdown procedure. The last time we actually enacted a lock down drill at Rosanna Primary we had a kangaroo in the school yard!! We look forward to hearing the feedback from students and staff about how to ensure that we are safe no matter what circumstance we may face. Teachers will have a conversation with students prior to the drill.

 

Last Day of Term Reminder 

Friday 4 July

It is some time away but this is a reminder that school term will conclude at 2:30pm on Friday 4 Jul. Supervision in the yard will cease at 2:45pm. Please contact TheirCare for those who wish to have their children supervised until later in the day.