Principal Report

School Council 

Aberfeldie Primary School would like welcome the 2024 School Council members.

• Tyson Smith - Acting Principal - Executive Officer
• Erin McNamara - School Employee member
• Elyse Dickeson - School Employee member
• Emma Sprakel - School Employee member
• Rebecca Sobell - Parent member
• Deborah-Ann Harris - Parent member
• Laura Cristini - Parent member
• Peter Chadwick - Parent member
• Robyn Ward - Parent member
• Chris Lynch - Parent member
• Daniella Rakita - Parent member
• Adele Paraggio - Parent member

Individual Education Plans (IEPs):

An IEP is a written statement that describes the adjustments, goals and strategies to meet a student’s individual educational needs so they can reach their full potential. An IEP is essential as it helps you plan and monitor a student’s unique learning needs. Research has shown that when schools use a planning approach that supports personalised learning, the academic achievement of all students improves. IEPs are an essential part of our work at Aberfeldie Primary School because they help teachers develop a learning program for individual students and track a student’s progress. These plans allow information to be shared between the school, students, the student’s family and other support professionals. For the student, IEPs promote student confidence, student voice, motivation and engagement. 

At Aberfeldie Primary School, IEPs are required for:

• Students in Out of Home Care (mandated)
• Koorie students (mandated by Marrung 2016 – 2026)
• Students funded for a disability (mandated)
• Students who are outside the differentiated scope of the cohort that they are in. This means that despite full application of the APS differentiation model, the student still requires additional adjustments and strategies to reach their targeted curriculum areas and goals. These students will be identified by Senior leadership, at the beginning of the year and then reviewed mid-year. 
• Any other students with additional learning needs, as determined by the school.

IEPs may be reviewed with classroom teachers and families through a Student Support Group meeting if required, or via an informal meeting directly with the classroom teacher. IEPs are typically created and shared at the end of Term 1, however due to Emma Beckett being absent, these will now occur at the beginning of Term 2. 

Student Support Group Meetings (SSGs):

An SSG is a partnership between schools, parents/carers, the student and relevant agencies. The group works together to plan and support the educational, health, social, cultural and emotional wellbeing of students with diverse learning needs. 

An SSG is mandated for:

• for students receiving funding under the Program for Students with Disability (PSD) or Disability Inclusion (DI)
• for every child and young person in Out of Home Care (OoHC).

This may also include students:

• with a disability or additional learning needs, including, but not limited to, students supported by the PSD or Disability Inclusion
• who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
• with a behaviour support plan
• from refugee or migrant backgrounds
• who attend two schools (for example, a mainstream and a specialist school)
• on youth justice orders or having transitioned from the youth justice system
• who are identified as young carers
• who are involved in the department’s Navigator Program.

SSGs typically meet at the end of Term 1, however due to Emma Beckett being absent, these will now occur at the beginning of Term 2.

NAPLAN:

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 students are held in March each year. In 2024, the NAPLAN test window is between Wednesday 13 March and Monday 25 March.  NAPLAN tests assess student knowledge and skills in writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. The results of the tests provide information for students, parents/carers, teachers and principals and can be used to improve student achievement.

NAPLAN tests are delivered in an online format.

Aberfeldie Primary School would like to thank Emma Sprakel for operating as the NAPLAN Coordinator at the school and the 3-6 classroom teachers for administering the tests successfully and inclusively. The school would like to congratulate the Year 3 and 5 students who participated in the tests to the best of their ability.