Assistant Principal's Report

Well done to our Year 4 and 6 students for getting through the intensive one week swimming program at GESAC. A make up session for the lesson missed will take place on Tuesday 5th March.

Staff Professional Development

During the last fortnight, our year level leaders have begun their training in PLC (Professional Learning Communities). PLCs is an approach to school improvement which will ensure that we continue to work collaboratively together to improve student outcomes.

We have also begun our formal training in the School-wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) department initiative, led by Labreni Pappas, which will see us build on our already strong practices at the school level. School-wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) is an internationally recognised approach with an extensive evidence base that is shown to improve behavioural, wellbeing, and academic outcomes for children and young people.

Last week our teachers also undertook a refresher session in Anaphylaxis and Child Safe, covering the eleven standards and revisiting our policies and procedures. 

In addition to the above, on Tuesday this week, our teachers participated in the 6 + 1 Traits of Writing Professional Learning facilitated by our Literacy Learning Specialist, Bronwyn Fensham. The purpose of the session was to further develop our understanding of and share in teaching practice surrounding the ‘Ideas’ trait. It is important to note that the 6 + 1 Traits of Writing is not a writing program but the explicit teaching of the elements of good writing. 

Wellbeing 

In my last newsletter, I promoted the department's booklet of activities and conversation starters for parents of primary school-aged children. This week I highlight one of the strategies: Understanding Emotions (Emotional Literacy). 

Understanding emotions helps your child to understand themselves and others. We do this by focussing on recognising, expressing, and managing emotions. Understanding our emotions is key to building empathy and self-awareness. This is supported  through the Respectful Relationships education program delivered at our school.

Please see below for examples of activities for students in Years 1 and 2.

Please see link to access activities for students in other year levels.

parents-wellbeing-activities-primary.pdf (education.vic.gov.au)

Student Safety

Student Safety is everyone’s responsibility. Glen Eira Council have created a short, animated video that explains parking signs, how the school crossing operates and aims to promote safety surrounding our school. It also promotes and encourages students to walk or ride to school to help ease traffic congestion, improve healthy activity and to help the environment. We can all do our part to improve the safety for all our students.

School Crossing animation_2023 version.mp4 (vimeo.com)

Georgia Despotellis

Assistant Principal