Principal's Update
Angelika Ireland

Respectful Behaviours and Staff Safety

When parents, carers and school staff work together as one team, our students thrive. Everyone at school, particularly staff and parents and carers, play a role in making school a better place for learning and work.

Parents, carers and school staff have a relationship that can last many years. This is an opportunity to work together to create a positive relationship in the best interests of your child. When this relationship is built on respect and trust, students learn better and feel like they belong in the school.

You may have noticed new posters displayed in our school that depict some unacceptable behaviours which can negatively impact our school community. These posters are a visual reminder about the behaviour that does not help us create a safe, respectful and inclusive learning environment for students, staff and adults. I trust that you will continue to keep respect at the core of all interactions with school staff.

The Department of Education’s Respectful Behaviours within the School Community Policy | vic.gov.au describes the positive behaviour expected from parents, carers and other adults in Victorian school communities.

The policy sets clear standards of behaviour to create a safe, respectful, and inclusive learning environment for students, staff and adults. This includes not just expected behaviours within the school grounds, but also in on-line platforms such as, Facebook and WhatsApp where public criticism of staff is totally unacceptable.

Removal of Portables

During the holiday break, two of the portables closest to our BER building were removed from our school site. These portables were very old and still contained asbestos, so we were very happy to be rid of them. The grounds under the portables will be re-established as outdoor spaces.

School Strategic Plan (SSP) 2025-2029

At the completion of our School Review last term, key directions (goals, targets and Key Improvement Strategies (KIS) were identified for improving student outcomes over the next 4 years.

School Key directions for the next SSP
Goal 1	Maximise the learning growth and achievement of all students.
KIS	1.a Refine, embed and systematically monitor evidence-based instructional approaches for high quality teaching and learning. 1.b Build school-wide capability in analysis and use of data to improve learning outcomes. 1.c Strengthen collaboration processes within a culture of professional challenge and high expectations.
Goal 2	Maximise students’ wellbeing and engagement.
KIS	2.a Sustain inclusive practice and positive climate through contextualised multi-tiered systems of support. 2.b Strengthen and embed processes that maximise learner agency. 2.c Promote engagement and participation across the school community.
Implementation of department priorities
Victorian Teaching and Learning Model (VTLM) 2.0		To embed and systematically monitor evidence-based instructional approaches for high quality teaching and learning.
Teaching of reading (F-2, primary only)		Implementing a systematic approach to teaching phonics,

Update on Suspension and Expulsion Powers

Schools are committed to providing a safe, respectful and inclusive environment for all students and staff. You may be aware of recent changes announced to suspension and expulsion powers that will be available to Victorian principals from day one of Term 3, (Monday 21 July 2025).

We know that students’ behaviour outside of school, particularly online, can sometimes impact the safety of students and staff at school.

In exceptional circumstances, principals of Victorian government schools will be able suspend or expel students for behaviour that occurs outside of school grounds and/or hours including online, if it poses a significant danger to the safety and wellbeing of students or staff.

These powers apply only to serious incidents where there is a clear and close connection to the school and the behaviour of a student outside of school unreasonably impacts the safety and wellbeing of students or staff at school, and their ability to learn or work.

Please note: 

· They do not apply to behaviours unrelated to the school or school community.

· They only apply to behaviour which occurs from Monday 21 July 2025 onwards.

Suspension and expulsion will remain measures of last resort – our primary approach continues to focus on proactive and positive behaviour support, including working with you to teach students the behaviours we expect of them, in school and in life.

Thank you for your continued support as we work in partnership to educate and support our young people.