Leadership Report

Dear Parents and Carers,

As the school year draws to a close, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone for making this year truly wonderful. Your dedication, passion, and unwavering support have been the cornerstone of our success. From the teachers who tirelessly impart knowledge and wisdom to the students, to the staff members who ensure the smooth functioning of our school every day, to the parents whose involvement and encouragement play a pivotal role in our achievements — each of you has contributed invaluably to our vibrant community.

To our students, "proud" falls short of expressing our admiration! Your hard work and sense of responsibility in your learning deserve our wholehearted applause. We firmly believe that the valuable life lessons you've acquired will be a guiding force, shaping your identity and education for years ahead. Everything, from the smallest to the grandest, has been geared towards you, the core of our school, our students.

We've created an environment fostering growth, learning, and camaraderie. We've celebrated victories, navigated challenges, and formed lasting bonds that transcend the academic realm. As we reflect on our shared journey, I am grateful for the collective effort and spirit that define our community. Thank you for your enduring dedication to our school. Some of the highlights from this year have been:

-A visit from the former Premier Daniel Andrews to declare an important announcement 

-A visit from the former Minister of Education Natalie Hutchins to announce budget funding

-Receiving $34 million for an upgrade to our school buildings and grounds

-Achieving outstanding NAPLAN results in Years 3, 5 & 7

-Completing 100 days of Prep education

-Managing our large enrolment numbers and inducting all new students and staff to the school

-Marking our 5th anniversary since our opening

-Hosting several parent information sessions and student led conferences

-Hosting Book Week, Book Fair and Book Parades

-Successful Year 6 exhibition

-Providing opportunities beyond the classroom such as camps and excursions

-The school Carnival, a huge success and embodiment of community engagement

-School based and regional district sports participation 

-Successfully preparing and participating in the Victoria State School Spectacular with a dance group

-The amazing performances from our students at our Christmas Carols Concerts

-The Colour Run Fundraiser event

-Our work with consultants Jim Kinniburgh, Carmel O’Beirne, Ryan Dunn and Helen Street.

As you can see, the above events are just a few of the 2023 whole school highlights, not to mention the individual year level achievements. Let's carry this momentum forward into the future, supporting and uplifting one another. 

2023 Semester Two Student Reports

Semester Two student reports were shared last week. We encourage all parents to read the reports with your child and reflect on their learning achievements in Semester Two, 2023. Please note that our reports are an indication of students' progress in which they are working towards as opposed to exact achievement. If you require a physical copy of the reports, please log into your Xuno account via a desktop/laptop computer to download the PDF file for your personal use.

2024 Curriculum Days Approved by School Council. 

Please note our 2024 Curriculum days, which are student-free days. 

Curriculum days are days set aside by our school for teachers and staff to engage in various activities related to curriculum planning, development, and improvement. Students do not attend school on these days. 

In 2024, our school has five allocated curriculum days which have been approved by our School Council:

1.Monday 29 January

2.Tuesday 30 January

3.Friday 23 February

4.Monday 4 November

5.Friday 20 December

Please mark these days in your 2024 diary as students do not attend school on these days.

Christmas Carols

We thank you for your flexibility and adaptability with the change in our Christmas Carols Concert, initiated by the extreme weather forecast. We understand that the change from our original plans, may present as frustrating for some, however our students' safety and comfort is at the forefront of every decision we make.

The Christmas Carols Concert was a unique experience, different from what we expected, yet the students poured their hearts into practise, dedicating themselves to perfecting their songs and dance routines for our school gym performance. Witnessing the students embrace the stage with enthusiasm and camaraderie was truly delightful—they were risk takers  and revelled in performing together, creating an incredible celebration of red and white! 

We trust that you were able to relish the carols from the cozy confines of your home.

Workforce Planning

Workforce planning for 2024 is almost complete and, although there has been the state-wide challenge with a shortage of teachers across Victoria, we have successfully managed to fill all classroom positions. Our Leading Teachers will also have a role within classrooms, on a part time basis, as they will co share classes with part time staff. Our Leading Teachers are also our instructional coaches, who coach, mentor and lead our staff and students in the areas of Curriculum and Wellbeing. 

Mandarin Language Classes at Saltwater College

Commencing in 2024, Saltwater College is excited to introduce Mandarin language classes as a second language alongside our existing Spanish language program. This expansion in language offerings is a significant enhancement to our curriculum.

Mandarin classes will be scheduled on a 13-week rotational basis as specialist classes. This unique approach allows students to explore the richness of both languages, providing them with a diverse linguistic experience.

Mandarin, being one of the most widely spoken languages globally, offers students the opportunity to delve into a vibrant culture and opens doors to numerous prospects. We eagerly anticipate the commencement of Mandarin classes and the continued success of our Spanish language program.

This exciting addition reflects our commitment to providing students with a well-rounded education that prepares them for a globalised world. We look forward to the enriching linguistic journey that awaits our students at Saltwater College.

Office Hours During Holidays

Please note that the office will be closed for the holiday period between the 20th December and the 21st of January. All correspondence from parents will be addressed upon our return to the office. Over the holidays, some maintenance work will take place on our buildings and grounds to ensure that our environment is orderly and inviting for the return of the students in 2024.

Important Dates

Our initial dates for next year are as follows:

2024 Week One

Monday 29 January - Curriculum Day, Student Free Day

Tuesday 30 January -Curriculum Day, Student Free Day

Wednesday 1 February - Students in Years 1-9 begin

Wednesday 1 February -Prep Assessments by appointment

Thursday 2 February - Prep students begin.

Term dates for 2024

Please be aware of the 2024 term days and plan for vacations and other important events accordingly. 

Heartfelt Thank You

On behalf of the staff at Saltwater College, I would like to express my gratitude and thank all our community members for their continued support, understanding, assistance and adaptability throughout the year. Celebrating a full year of learning and achievements has also been a pleasure. We have collaborated and worked together as a community for the common success of our students. We will strongly focus on community engagement and partnership, building on the foundations of the past five years.

I would also like to say a massive thank you to the members of our school council. They have worked tirelessly to support the school's goals and the staff's work. They have been pivotal in connecting the staff with the local community, promoting family engagement, supporting the school's needs, and supporting us with their many personal skill sets.

I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We look forward to welcoming you back and continuing our partnership in 2024. 

Take care,

Jackie Daniali