Leadership Report

Welcome to Week 8

Can you believe we only have two more weeks of Term Three remaining? How fast has this term gone!

The last few weeks at Saltwater have been filled with excitement as we celebrated both Science Week and Book Week. What an exciting and engaging time for our staff and students. Please explore our social media posts for updates and photos of the special events.

Next week we prepare for the Scholastic Book Fair and in week 10, we will hold our Colour Run. Be sure to check the XUNO notifications for additional information. 

Science Week Fun

In week 6, our students had the opportunity for Science exploration during Science Week. We wish to thank our staff for organising hands on, engaging activities for our students. Our planned Science activities helped our children to better understand the environment they live in; develop analytical thinking and problem solving skills.

Science week is a time to reflect on the importance of science in our daily lives, to encourage the pursuit of scientific knowledge and to remember the achievements and contributions of our great scientists.

Science is involved in cooking, eating, breathing and playing, just to name a few! The fabric we wear, the brush and paste we use, the shampoo, the oil we cook with, everything is the consequence of advancement of science. Life is unimaginable without all this. 

Book Week Celebration

As a school, we celebrated book week from Monday 28 August - Friday 1 September.  The school's walkways were transformed into a lively procession of characters. The air was filled with excitement as students and staff dressed in their imaginative costumes, showcasing their love for reading and their appreciation for the magical worlds that authors have crafted. The parade is not just a visual spectacle but also a testament to the power of literature in fostering creativity and a lifelong love of learning. Teachers joined in on the fun, dressing up as iconic literary figures to inspire their students and demonstrate their passion for reading. It was great to see the effort and enthusiasm that students showed towards their favourite books and we are grateful to our families for their incredible efforts. 

Claire Saxby Author Visit - Book Week

Our Year 3/4 classes were fortunate to participate in an enchanting author visit during book week. Claire Saxby is an Australian author who has written a variety of picture books and novels for young readers. Some of her works include "Big Red Kangaroo," "Emu," "Koala," and "Dingo." These books focus on Australian wildlife and natural themes. Claire discussed her passion for writing and the process she undertakes as a writer, from seed planting to publishing. 

Curriculum Day Berry Street Training 

During our curriculum day in week 7, all staff engaged in 'Berry Street Side by Side' Training. Trauma training is a critical aspect of ensuring a supportive and nurturing learning environment for all students, especially those who have experienced trauma. Trauma can have a profound impact on a student's ability to learn and engage in the classroom. The training will assist staff to recognise and respond to trauma-related behaviours, in order to make a significant difference in a student's academic success and overall well-being.

Staff have been educated about the different types of trauma, such as physical, emotional, or psychological trauma, as well as the potential sources of trauma, including abuse, neglect, loss, and violence. Understanding the effects of trauma on the brain and behaviour is crucial for staff to create a compassionate and empathetic classroom environment. 

Trauma-informed practices involve creating a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment that considers the needs of trauma-affected students. Staff learned strategies for promoting positive classroom behaviour, providing clear expectations, and fostering positive relationships to reduce triggers and promote emotional regulation.

Planning for 2024

It's that time of year when the leadership team begin working through 2024 planning, class structures and our recruitment process. As we continue the planning process for 2024, we would appreciate parents notifying the school if your child/ren will not be returning to our school in 2024, as soon as possible. Please contact the school office on 8366 7700 to inform us if your child/ren will not be returning to our school next year. 

2023 Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey

Recently a random selection of families received correspondence regarding the Department's annual Parent/Carers Opinion Survey. We encourage our families to complete this survey as the information collected is an essential part of the school’s ongoing planning. 

Safe Parking around our school 

It can be so frustrating, you just want to drop your children off at school and go on your way or pick them up at the end of the day to take them to one of their many after school activities, but you can’t get a park close enough to the school. Around our school, there are a number of places that are available for parking and picking up or dropping off. Please allow ample time for arrival and pick up, and walk to school if possible as this will assist with alleviating congestion. Please do not park in the staff carpark, students are not permitted to be in the carpark as it is not safe for them. 

Stay tuned for a local council and school collaborative initiative to promote walking to school. 

Happy Fathers Day/Father Figures' Day

We would like to extend a very happy Fathers' Day to all our fathers and father figures for this Sunday. Father's Day is an important occasion to express gratitude and love for our fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers, and other role models in or lives. It's a time to reflect on the influence that father figures have on their children's lives and to show them how much they are valued and cherished.