Principal's Message

Dear Parents/Carers,

NAPLAN RESULTS 2024

We are incredibly proud of our students and staff for their dedication to their learning in all areas of the curriculum. In the case of Literacy and Numeracy we have much to celebrate. We have strong and dedicated leadership teams across Mathematics, Literacy, Wellbeing and Specialist Areas. Other staff members lead our year levels and departments through Professional Learning Communities. Our students are showing a strong commitment to their learning and we see this improvement every day. But you don’t have to take my word for it, please consider our results comparative to Network and Similar schools.

It’s a great illustration of the work committed by our dedicated staff and students. It is also through the hard work and support of our parents that we are doing so well. 

NAPLAN 2024

BUILDING WORKS GYMNASIUM

We're excited to be finally commencing repairs on our Gym on Monday. The Gym has been in need of extensive repair for many years and the Victorian Schools Building Authority (VSBA) has approved and organised for the necessary works completed. The works are extensive and will require a large area of the school cordoned off. The Gym is out of bounds during this time, so some of the regular activities which take place in the Gym will be postponed or relocated. 

Monday assemblies will continue, but will be held in the Year 5/6 Building (B.E.R). It may take some getting used to but it will work out well. Please take this into account if you’re considering attending. 

Arrangements have been made to ensure ‘Their Care’ can still operate from their usual space during the works.

The works are anticipated to be completed by the end of October but this is subject to change due to any unforeseen circumstances.

We ask that all students, staff and visitors take care around the site. Please be ensured that all safety measures are being followed and that the school has been fully briefed on the scope of the works. 

OLYMPIC GAMES- VALUES

We have been very much entertained over the past three weeks by the Olympic Games. It has been great to hear about the back stories of each competitor and their families. No story of triumph comes without failure, practise, persistence and resilience. I also enjoy hearing about the three values of Olympism as set out by the International Olympic Committee.

We can apply these same values to our great school.

The three values of olympism are excellence, respect and friendship. They constitute the foundation on which the olympic movement builds its activities to promote sport, culture and education with a view to building a better world.

The original values of Olympism as expressed in the Olympic Charter were to “encourage effort”, “preserve human dignity” and “develop harmony”.

Over time, they have evolved and are now expressed in more contemporary terms as:

Striving for excellence and encouraging people to be the best they can be.

Demonstrating respect in many different manners: respect towards yourself, the rules, your opponents, the environment, the public, etc.

Celebrating friendship, which is quite unique to the Olympic Games – an event that brings people together every few years.

This is the idea of setting your rivalries aside. There is more that unites us than divides us.

Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy found in effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles.

The goal of the Olympic Movement is to contribute to building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport practiced without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.

REF: Olympic values (olympics.com)

Last Friday our school was turned into a vision of Green and Gold with some students also choosing to come in their country of origins colours. It was great to see so many students and staff getting involved.

SOMERS CAMP

Our lucky students and staff who attended Somers have returned after an incredibly busy 9 days away. Thankyou to the families who supported this program and to the students and staff for persevering through an exhausting but thoroughly rewarding camp experience. Thankyou to Ed Hargreaves, Michelle Rea and Steph Hann for supporting our children over this camp. A special mention goes to Ms Hann as she is the local coordinator for Somers and has been for many years. Thank you to all.

100 DAYS OF FOUNDATION

On Monday our Foundation students celebrated 100 days of school. Students and their teachers came dressed as their 100 year old self and participated in a number of activities themed around "100". They also invited their Grandparents to come for morning tea.

This day is a big milestone for our Foundation students and we're extremely proud of all our Foundation students on a wonderful start to their schooling years.

A big thank you also to our Foundation teachers Julie Giblin and Jacqui Matters for making the day so special.

YEAR 4 - THE PEASANT PRINCE

This true story of a poor Chinese peasant boy, who at the age of ten was plucked unsuspectingly from millions of others across the land to be trained as a ballet dancer.

Over the past few weeks, the Year 4 students have engaged in a range of activities around the story of the Peasant Prince. After reading the book in class, students created artworks, participated in a drama workshop and were lucky enough to watch the live stage show at the Lighthouse Theatre. Students enjoyed reading and learning about this true story of sacrifice, courage and triumph. 

PEER MEDIATORS

This term our wellbeing team have introduced our Year 6 leaders to the Foundation yard during lunch times in the role of Peer Mediator. The students have been organising games and activities for the Foundation students to be a part of and have helped with any small issues that may come up. The Foundation students seem to really enjoy this interaction and our leaders are doing a fabulous job!

BULLYING - NO WAY!: NATIONAL WEEK OF ACTION

Bullying No Way Week is from 12th to 16th August 2024 and is Australia’s key bullying prevention initiative and connects schools and communities to find workable solutions to prevent bullying.

The theme for 2024 is 'Everyone belongs'.

When we all feel like we belong, bullying struggles to find a place. It's about embracing who we are, respecting everyone's differences and standing up together against unkindness. Belonging means we all have a role in preventing bullying. We're encouraged to speak up and create a safe place where everyone feels supported and respected, and our voices are heard and valued.

Have a great weekend.

Peter Lee

Principal