A message from the Principal

This week has seen SKiPPS burst into life for 2024 with the start of the school year and, walking around our learning spaces, there is such a sense of excitement, energy and anticipation for a great year ahead.

I have loved getting into spaces this week, whether to welcome the brand new arrivals to SKiPPS (including our 53 new Foundation students) or to welcome back those returning after summer breaks. Hearing about the adventures, trips and family-time that the summer holidays have involved and the goals for the year ahead has been a highlight of my week.

It has also been lovely to chat to so many parents and carers who have also enjoyed this time but are generally quite ready to see their children starting back at school!

Despite the concerns in the media this week about teacher shortages and other challenges facing the profession, we are so proud that our staff are so committed and feeling happy, energised and raring to go. We have reflected this week how lucky we are to work with such an amazing group of children and such supportive and kind families and how this contributes to the low levels of staff turnover and high levels of job satisfaction that we see each year. 

Working together, we have started with a bang for 2024.

The very start of the year involves all of our classes enjoying our CAPSE (Creating A Positive School Environment) program. By taking time at the start of the school year to set clear routines in classrooms and build relationships with classmates, we lay the foundations for a productive, positive year of learning right across the school.

The positivity and calmness that we see throughout the school is a testament to the success of this approach. There is so much that goes into success in education, not least the need to maintain a balance between academic learning alongside positive relationships, student well-being and engagement. 

Great learning starts with children feeling happy, safe and engaged and we are proud of the ways that we do this and are looking forward to building on these foundations this year. 

We understand the role that families can also play in this process and invite and encourage you as parents and carers to get as involved in the school as you can. We know that children thrive at school when their families are also highly involved.

You will see from this newsletter details of many ways that you can get involved, including;

• We will be taking part in the Midsumma Pride March this Sunday (4th February) and invite all of our families to come along.
• Our 'Picnic in the Park' event after-school on Tuesday (6th February) is a relaxed and social opportunity for families to connect at the start of the year.
• Our huge School Fete happening in just over a month on Saturday 2nd March and we can't wait!
• Our Parents' Association SKiPPA provide a fun and social way to get involved in the school and invite all parents and carers to join their first meeting in the Bowls Club on Tuesday 13th February.

In future newsletters we will regularly share other ways you can support and get involved, building connections and friendships at our wonderful school. these will include our School Council and sub-committees, working bees, social events and fundraisers and year level catch-ups organised by our class reps.

I can't wait to get started on another huge year for our school.

Neil Scott

Principal