Delacombe Primary School

From The Principal's Desk

Dear Parents and Carers,

 

It has been another busy few weeks at Delacombe Primary School as students and teachers start to settle into the term of learning. Gaining learning momentum is an important aspect of an effective program as it assists to establish behaviours that will see the students grow throughout the term. A big part of learning momentum is to maximise the time for our students at school, as every day counts.

 

Concert Preparation

It has been fabulous to see that concert preparations are in full swing at the moment. Students are busily working hard to memorise dance routines and songs while teachers are designing costumes and props. The concert will bring about a range of feelings for students as some will thrive in the limelight and others will struggle to be on stage. This is absolutely fine as the teachers and support staff will assist each and every student to find their place and get the most out of this experience. 

 

Please ensure you keep an eye out on Compass for messages from your child’s teacher that will assist with preparations in the lead up to the concert.  Our students get to shine three times over two days in order to allow as many people as possible to share in the experience.  With only 3 weeks to go, make sure you get your ticket to enjoy the show. 

 

School Council  

Our School Council met last week and discussed the recent NAPLAN results and Student attitudes data. We also discussed the possible siting of new classrooms and staff and students toilets.  In 2025 we appear to be getting a Modular 10 building which is a double storey building containing four classrooms.  We are still working through the siting of the student toilets after some recent discussion at the School Council.  Below is a picture of the proposed buildings for 2025 (we will know more at the end of the month).

 

 

We also looked at our recent student attitudes data.  This data comprised of feedback from our Grade 4, 5 and 6 students.  Here are some points we were able to notice from the data in comparison to 2023.

 

 

Positives:

  • In 2024 91% of students undertook the survey 215 students of a possible 235, compared to 84% last year
  • Key targets in our strategic plan were all up from last year
  • Learning (Sense of Confidence) increased from 63% in 2023 to 77% in 2024
  • School connectedness increased from 67% in 2023 to 78% in 2024
  • Managing bullying has increased from 63% in 2023 to 77% in 2024
  • Emotional awareness and regulation has increased from 58% in 2023 to 76% in 2024

Challenge:

  • The challenge is to get these targets to above 80% by 2026

These results are a terrific turn around in what the students are saying about our school.  Whilst the results reflect a better perception of school, there are still further improvements to make to ensure our school is a great place to grow, succeed and achieve together.

 

At our School Council meeting we also had our school captains invited to raise a few topics with the School Council.  They raised one idea to pitch to the school council:

 

  • Can we have a box in each classroom that provides the opportunity for students to report a bully anonymously?

Our school captains believe that we could trial this idea of the bully stopper box could be trialled in Grade 5 & Grade 6.  The school captains would check the boxes and bring the boxes to the Wellbeing and Leadership.

 

 

Prep Enrolments 

We have a steady stream of enrolments coming in for the 2025 school year. If you or anyone you know has a 2025 Prep aged child, please contact the school to organise enrolment paperwork and book transition sessions.

 

Our Prep coordinators have been busy visiting our feeder Kinders to meet the students, observe them in action and talk to kinder teachers about developing effective transition programs. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the school office.

 

 

EAL & Speech therapist  

Recently we have employed two staff to work in our school.  Mrs Caitlin Jamieson has been employed one day a week to work with our students with English as a second language.  This number has increased in our school over and we have received funding to support our students in this category.

 

We also will have Ms Caity Burke (speech therapist) look to commence on August 15th and work every Thursday in our school.  We have found it difficult to replace Kimberly Myers (Speech therapist) since she has been on maternity leave and jumped at the chance of using Caity in our junior classrooms.  It is rare for schools to have access to speech therapist on site in their schools, so we are looking forward to having this service again for our students.

 

National day against bullying and violence  

On Friday 16th August we will be recognising the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence. This day is a lead up to the messaging we have been promoting around the school in classes and at assemblies.

 

Advance Notice:

Some key dates and events coming up:

  • Student free day on Friday 23rd August (day after the concert)

 

Have a great week – Scott, Marnie, Michael and Stephanie