Principal's Message

Valkstone Holiday Program Celebration

One of the wonderful things that happens here at Valkstone Primary is our Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) program. 

Having a school-run OSHC program (as opposed to one run by an external service provider) offers significant advantages for our school community. This integrated approach ensures continuity between regular school hours and the care program, allowing for seamless communication and consistent policies. Staff members in the program are more familiar with our school's culture, values, and individual student needs, fostering a more personalised and supportive environment. Overall, this model demonstrates the Valkstone’s commitment to providing comprehensive support for our students and families beyond traditional school hours.

Please look through our OSHC page in this newsletter for an update on the fun and exciting things that happened during our recent School Holiday program.

Upcoming Curriculum Days

At the last school council meeting (held Tuesday 23rd of July), two dates for pupil-free days were endorsed for the remainder of the year.

MONDAY 4th NOVEMBER (day before Melbourne Cup Day) 

Teacher Professional Practice Day

• Professional Practice days provide teachers with release from their scheduled duties (all duties which would have been otherwise scheduled, including teaching) to focus on the improved delivery of high quality teaching and learning.
   
• Schools may hold the professional practice day on the same day for all teachers. Where it has been determined this will occur, the professional practice day can be a pupil (student) free day, subject to the school council scheduling a pupil (student) free day for this purpose. 

MONDAY 9th DECEMBER 

Final (4th) curriculum day for 2024.

• Each year school councils may schedule up to 5 student-free days (when student instruction does not occur) for professional development, school planning and administration, curriculum development and student assessment and reporting.
   
• Valkstone's focus on this day will be planning in preparation for the 2025 school year

PLEASE NOTE: Out of School Hours Care will be available on both of those days, for enrolled families.

Fundraising Celebration

Please look through my dedicated fundraising page, directly following this.