Leadership Report

Dear Saltwater Community, 

Welcome back! It’s with great joy and enthusiasm that we reconnect after the break and embark on a new term of learning and growth together.  As we begin our journey into Term Two, kindly take note of this message from Deputy Premier and Minister of Education, The Honourable Ben Carroll MP.

Successful Integration of Welcome Back Activities

As we dive into the exciting adventures that await us, let's take a moment to reflect on the wonderful start we've had with our welcome-back activities.

Our welcome-back activities were met with resounding success, thanks to the incredible participation and support from our students, parents, and staff. From cheerful greetings at the gates to engaging icebreaker games in the classrooms, we've worked diligently to ensure that every member of our community feels valued and connected. It's heartwarming to witness the spirit of camaraderie and inclusivity that permeates our school, setting a positive tone for the term ahead.

Prep Teddy Bears’ Picnic

What an adorable day it was for our Preps at the Teddy Bears' Picnic! 🐻🧺 The sight of our youngest learners, accompanied by their beloved teddies, enjoying snacks and games together filled our hearts with joy. The giggles, hugs, and pure happiness shared among friends truly set the stage for a beary-tastic term ahead. We extend our gratitude to our Prep students, parents, and staff for making this event a memorable success.

In addition to the Prep Teddy Bears’ Picnic, we had an exciting lineup of activities planned for each year level:

• Year 1: Year One Disco & Dress Up Day – Location TBD
• Year 2: Rainbow Day (students to wear crazy socks, hair, colors)
• Year 3: Virtual excursion to NGV linked to UOI
• Year 4: Crazy Hair Day
• Year 5: First Aid incursion in Week 1 around the UOI of leadership
• Year 6: Year 6 Polo’s are handed out and Launch of Year 6 Electives
• Year 7, 8 & 9: Saltwater Survivor Series (Mini-Olympics)

Raising the awareness of our Learner Profile Attributes.

At the core of the IB is the ‘learner profile’, a long-term vision of holistic education that reinforces all three programmes and puts the student at the center of everything we do. The learner profile is the mission statement of the IB and it is this that helps the students go beyond academic outcomes and prepares them to become 21st century citizens.

“The aim of all IB programmes is to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world.”- (ibo.org)

How do we incorporate it or teach it in school?

Different strategies are incorporated within the school to inculcate and build on the attributes of the Learner profile- some of these might include

• The classroom agreements use the IB learner profile attributes to develop agreements that align with the behaviour we attempt to achieve as a community of learners.
• Displays of posters around the classrooms and common areas make the learner profile attributes more visible and intentional in the school!
• Reading and storytelling are a universal part of any primary year’s classroom, so they make for rich opportunities to recognize the Learner Profile attributes. Very often, teachers use storytelling as a means to discuss the attributes – pausing and asking questions about what attribute the characters displayed! After they read, they’ll draw an image / write / mention how the learner profile attribute was evident within the book.
• Drawings are displayed and lots of meaningful discussions and connections take place among the children.
• Teachers show children a diverse range of photos for each attribute; children speak about these and often create posters that illustrate the Learner Profile Attributes.
• Role-play is often used to create wonder-filled short stories that foster students’ curiosity and take them to imaginary worlds where they can actively engage and understand the characteristics of the different attributes
• Students are encouraged to make personal connections with the learner profile attributes. All activities are designed keeping in mind connections to the attributes and the children are encouraged to discuss the same as much as possible
• One great way to reflect on it regularly- The children speak about one attribute they really worked on or really demonstrated!
• Students as well as staff are encouraged to recognise and support these attributes with everyone in our community. An easy example would be commending a toddler for being caring when taking care of a new student, or for a quiet child being a risk-taker when speaking during a whole school assembly. It is the responsibility of all members of the community to model these attributes.
  IB PYP learner profile attributes help to prepare students to become 21st century citizens who believe in choosing to be -active, caring, lifelong learners. Students who demonstrate respect for themselves and others and have the ability to participate in the world around them creating a difference

Exciting Events Coming Up:

Mother's Day

Our annual Mother's Day/Special Person's stall is fast approaching, and our students are eagerly anticipating the opportunity to choose special gifts for their loved ones. We rely on the support of parent volunteers to ensure the success of this event. If you're able to volunteer your time, please contact James Peterson at James.Peterson@education.vic.gov.au.

More information will be distributed shortly regarding the dates of the stall. 

Anzac Day 🌺🌺🌺

On Wednesday 24 April, we enjoyed a very special commemoration assembly remembering the day that Australian and New Zealand soldiers landed on Gallipoli in 1915. Wreaths were laid and students listened to ‘The Ode’ and ‘The Last Post’ followed by a one-minute silence to pay our respects. Students shared war poems and listened to our inspiring guest speaker - Leading Aircraft woman Casey-Lee Rebellato from our local RAAF Base Point Cook.

The students then had the opportunity to discuss the importance of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps and the significant roles service men and women of our nations had during the war and in our present day. After the assembly, the wreathes were donated to the RAAF War Memorial on behalf of the Saltwater community.  It was an honour to remember those who had served or who are serving our country.  Lest We Forget. 🌺🌺🌺

Student Led Three-Way Conferences in Term Two

On May 7th, our students will have the opportunity to share their learning with their parents and caregivers during Student Led Conferences. To accommodate this event, early dismissal at 12:00 pm has been scheduled. We look forward to celebrating our students' achievements together.

With the ratification of the new Victorian Government School Agreement and in order to meet our staff commitments, Saltwater P-9 College has scheduled early dismissal at 12:00 pm on Tuesday 7 May, in order to accommodate the availability for all parents to attend the Student Led Conferences with their child/ren.

We look forward to seeing our families at school, sharing their child/ren's wonderful achievements. 

Whole School CyberSafety Program

Empowering Students through Cyber Safety- Presentations at Saltwater College

In today's digital age, where the internet is an integral part of everyday life, ensuring cyber safety has become paramount, especially for young individuals navigating the vast online landscape. The Cyber Safety Project visited our school and presented information to all our students from Prep to Year 9. The sessions aimed to empower students with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the digital world safely. 

Led by educators and cybersecurity experts, the presentation covered various aspects of online safety, including social media etiquette, protection against cyber threats, and privacy measures. Key highlights included raising awareness about online risks, teaching cybersecurity practices such as creating strong passwords and identifying phishing attempts, The presentation emphasised individual and collective responsibility in promoting cyber safety and aimed to cultivate a culture of respect, empathy, and responsible digital citizenship, whist maintaining caution.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our Saltwater College community. Together, let's make this term a time of inspiration, growth, and success for all.

School Photos

We are thrilled to announce the upcoming school photos session, scheduled during the upcoming month of May. Please see the exact dates below for when your child/ren will be involved in school photos. School photos provide a delightful opportunity for every student to shine and create lasting mementos of their school journey.

Monday, 13th May 2024

• Student portraits and classes from Year 1, Year 2, and Year 3

Tuesday, 14th May 2024

• Student portraits and classes from Prep, Year 4, Year 5, Year 7, and Year 8

Wednesday, 15th May 2024

• Siblings’ photos beginning at 8:00AM (Year 9 students sibling photos are scheduled from 8:00am – 9:00am).
• Year 6 Graduation
• Student portraits and classes from Year 6
• Absentees from Session 1 and 2

Monday, 27th May 2024 (@ Coaching Parade Campus)

• Student portraits and class groups for Year 9

Wednesday, 29th May 2024

• Absentees for staff, students, and siblings - if required

Ordering Information: After the photo session, parents will have the opportunity to view and order photos online through the secure portal. Detailed ordering instructions have been provided via the company. We encourage parents to take advantage of this convenient option to select their favourite photos and customise their orders according to their preferences.

Get Ready to Smile! We can't wait to see our students' smiling faces and capture the magic of this school year in photos. Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to creating beautiful memories together.

Warm regards,

Michael Nicolaides 

Assistant Principal