A note from Mr Jackson

The turning of the calendar to another month, the winding back of the clocks and the end of the AFL season are reminders that we are turning again towards the final school term for 2023. 

A special thanks to Lynda Whitechurch, Shannon Mitchell and Krista Scott for taking on a range of leadership responsibilities in my absence over the last three weeks of term 3. I was thrilled to see the embankment outside the lower building filled with healthy plants, the new projector in Chandler Hall (thanks to our Building Fund) and stunned at hearing that our generous community has raised over $3000 by participating in Busking for Change.  

A View Towards 2024

One of the significant priorities for term four will be to support students’ as they transition into 2024. These processes place students at the centre as many decisions around staffing, learning spaces, budgets and a range of other areas are made. In order that resources at our school are allocated efficiently, we need to know if your family is leaving the school and will not be present in 2024 as soon as possible. Thanks to those families who have already informed us. Please let your classroom teacher know or give me a call. I would appreciate a conversation with you even if you are unsure about your plans.

Welcome 2024 Preps

Planning for our new 2024 Prep students is well underway with the orientation sessions. If you have a child who will turn five before 30 April next year and intend for them to start school, could you please ensure that you have completed an official enrolment form.

We have planned for a positive start to their first year of primary education and are eager to have them involved in the orientation process. If you know of others who are eager to enrol their child, please remind them to phone us or send through an email to the office. Our 2024 Prep Orientation Program begins on Wednesday next week.

2024 Student Class Placement

Once we are clear on the students who will be with us in 2024 we will put a school structure in place to support teaching and learning. Teachers will then be able to thoughtfully consider each students’ needs in allocating them to a class. During this complex decision making process, staff consider a range of factors including social, emotional and academic needs along with creating balanced class groups. Next week’s newsletter will detail how students and parents and carers can contribute to the process of class formation. 

Living in an Inclusive and Diverse Community 

Staff participated in professional development on Tuesday focussed on supporting students from gender diverse backgrounds. It was a significant moment to enact our value of inclusion as we sought ways to create safe spaces for all. This was the second of two workshops that saw staff gain clearer understandings about the needs of gender diverse students and consider actions that ensure their inclusion in our community. 

Take Home Book Readers

I know that a number of parents have been asking about Take Home Readers. The English Team have been working hard to refresh and update the collection of take-home readers over the last several weeks. A special thanks to Michelle in the library and the volunteers who have ensured that this process is almost complete. They should be available in the coming days.

Tawny Frogmouth Update

After some mischievous nest deconstruction by a passing sulphur crested cockatoo, our frogmouths have nested in a nearby branch in the large tree outside the Chandler Hall. Be sure to look up and see the nest that can be seen most clearly standing at the wire fence outside the admin building. We look forward to our newest enrolments in the weeks to come. 

ICAS Awards Presented at Assembly

We look forward to presenting students with their ICAS Science and English results on Friday at the assembly. We celebrate the effort of all who participated with 55 certificates of achievement to be awarded. These include 1 High Distinction, 8 Distinctions, 15 Credits and 4 Merits.

Melbourne Cup Weekend

A reminder that Monday 6 November (the day prior to the Melbourne Cup Public Holiday) there will be student free day. This day will see teachers participate in a Professional Practice Day that has been allocated in support of a range of classroom responsibilities including assessment, report writing, planning, Independent Learning Plan development and evaluation.

Diving into Swimming

Our 1/2 students have plunged into Term 4 with visits to the Ivanhoe Aquatic Centre. Thanks to our volunteers who supported us over this week. There was drizzled hair, wet socks and broad smiles as students returned each day from the pool. Unfortunately, swimming was cancelled suddenly today due to an emergency at the pool. We are thankful that these structured lessons, along with other experiences in the water, will support students in their growing confidence and water safety ability.

SunSmart Hats

Please ensure that students continue to wear their school hats over the coming term. These broad brimmed hats are designed specifically to protect us from the ultraviolet light that is particularly harsh at this time of year.   SunSmart Students are welcome to bring along sunscreen that they can apply themselves. Some students have them attached to their bags and can be easily accessed by students prior to heading outside.