Leadership & Management

Week 8 Term 3

Dear Parents and Carers,

We hope that yesterday was a lovely day for all the dads, grandpas and special male figures in our children's lives. A special thanks to Village Bakery for donating the most scrumptious brekkie for everyone. 

Thank you to Ms Sparano and the Year 1/2 students for organizing such a wonderful Father's Day assembly. It's no small feat to put together an assembly like this, and it was truly heartwarming to see so many dads and granddads in attendance.

A special thank you to all the staff involved for creating such a memorable morning for the children and their fathers. Events like these can be disruptive, but the memories created are invaluable and something both parents and children will cherish for years to come. It's moments like these that make our community truly unique.

On Friday, we also welcomed International LEGO Education managers from Japan. The students, a very proud Mr Frazzetto and some of our dads, warmly engaged with the visitors to share their knowledge of STEM. We look forward to the MACS STEM MAD visit on Tuesday, September 10 to showcase our students and their projects. 

School Review Recommendations 

As you know, our school underwent a comprehensive School Review in Term 2. The recommendations from this review have now been presented to the Leadership Team, the Staff, and the School Advisory Council this term.

I’m pleased to share that our reviewer, Mary Lovelock, provided an extremely positive assessment. She highlighted the collaborative efforts of our leaders and staff in successfully implementing the goals outlined in the last School Improvement Plan (SIP).

Key strategies noted include the enhancement of student voice and agency, the development of teacher data literacy, and a strong focus on professional growth, along with distributive and instructional leadership. Additionally, implementing a school-wide pedagogical framework has been central to our approach to learning and teaching.

A summary of our STRENGTHS AND OPPORTUNITIES and RECOMMENDATIONS are listed below:

STRENGTHS:

• Staff promote and make its Catholic identity visible by being inclusive and fostering participation and engagement of its students and their families.
• Leaders and teachers work collaboratively and reflectively to implement the school’s vision for improvement.
• Students' learning experiences are underpinned by a pedagogical framework that is focused on evidence-based strategies that are continuously adjusted to meet student needs.
• Leaders and teachers are committed to engaging students in their learning and making links between the different learning areas.
• The school is a safe environment for students; they can rely on staff support when they have concerns.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT

• Clarify expectations for student check-ins to provide consistency and effective data across the school.
• Recording student behaviour incidents into an electronic system to assist in the analysis of individual and school trends.
• Implementing strategies to increase teacher leadership in meetings and with peers.
• Developing a process for teachers to annually put forward suggestions for purchasing classroom resources to support student learning.
•  Engaging with parents to strengthen feedback strategies, such as informing them how their children are progressing outside of formal reporting mechanisms and promoting the school.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

As St Fidelis’ School engages in the process of strategic thinking and planning, manifesting in the development of its School Improvement Plan for the next four years, the reviewer recommends that the school:

Review the school’s learning and teaching framework by:

• Engaging with the Vision for Instruction to enrich the school approach.
• Developing a consistent approach to spelling and grammar.
• Reviewing the learning progression for mathematics to increase differentiation and support to reflect the school’s context.

Strengthen Religious Education by:

• Identifying evidence-based strategies to be used across the school that align with the school’s learning and teaching approach.
• Making explicit Catholic social teaching to students and its connection to their learning.
• Engaging with teachers to implement professional learning on Scripture that meets their needs.

Consolidate student wellbeing across the school by:

• Increasing staff and school capacity through professional learning in mental health and wellbeing and their understanding of specific disabilities.
• Strengthening student agency and voice in curriculum and assessment including the use of student learning goals.
• Framing an explicit Catholic context for the three guiding pillars for emotions in The Resilience Project.

Using these recommendations, the School Leadership Team, in conjunction with our MACS Learning and Teaching Advisors, will formulate the next School Improvement Plan (SIP) and Annual Action Plan (AAP) in Term Four in preparation for the next cycle beginning in 2025. 

MACSIS Survey: Your Voice Matters in School Improvement

The MACSIS (Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools Improvement Survey) is a vital tool that helps our school understand what we’re doing well and where we can improve. By gathering feedback directly from parents, we gain valuable insights that guide our school improvement efforts and help us set meaningful goals for the future.

Your input is crucial in shaping the educational experience for all students. The feedback you provide through the MACSIS survey enables us to make informed decisions that reflect the needs and priorities of our school community. Whether it's enhancing our teaching practices, improving communication, or fostering a more supportive school environment, your voice plays a key role in driving positive change.

We encourage all parents to participate in the survey, as your perspectives are essential in helping us create the best possible learning environment for our children. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and contribute to the continuous improvement of our school.

All families will receive the survey via email this week. This email will include a letter and video explaining how to complete the survey. Your voice is important to us. 

SUNSMART 

The sun protection times from the Bureau of Meteorology tell you the time of day UV levels are forecast to reach three or higher. At these levels, sun protection is recommended for all skin types. In Victoria, UV levels regularly reach three or higher from mid-August to the end of April. As part of general SunSmart strategies, our school:

• Requires all students and staff to wear hats that protect the face, neck and ears (broad-brimmed or bucket style) and suitable clothing whenever they are outside (e.g. recess, lunch, sport, excursions)
• It requires children outdoors without hats to sit in a designated shaded area during play times from the beginning of September to the end of April or whenever UV levels reach three or more. NO HAT- NO PLAY

Child Safe

The learning community of St Fidelis is committed to the wellbeing and safety  of all children.  Our interactions with all our community is founded on respect for each person. Within a catholic community this respect of each individual is rooted in the belief that each person is made in the image and likeness of God.

Child Safe Standard 10 - Review off Child safety Practices

Child safe Standard 11 -Implementation of child safety practices 

At St. Fidelis Catholic Primary School, we are firmly committed to reviewing and improving child-safe standards.  As part of the annual report to the community, this will include a report on how children's safety standards have been reviewed and improved where practical at St Fidelis' Catholic Primary School.  Staff are given the opportunity at yearly staff meetings to review child safety and wellbeing policies and procedures. We have two nominated child safety officers who will assist the school with implementing child safety practices. These are Michael Jennings and Sally Lentini in 2024.

School Fees 2024: Accounts emailed last week 

ALL SCHOOL FEES ARE TO BE PAID IN FULL BY SEPTEMBER 13TH UNLESS YOU HAVE A DIRECT DEBIT SYSTEM OR A PRIOR AGREEMENT WITH THE PRINCIPAL

Thank you to all the families who have fully paid their school fees. As mentioned previously, the school has paid for all of your children's stationary upfront, and prompt payment would be most appreciated. 

If you would like to pay in person, the office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day. 

If you prefer to pay by direct debit, please use the bank details below. If any families need to discuss alternative arrangements for the payment of fees, please contact me directly.

Included are the Bank details for your ease of payment:

Please note once you have made a payment can you email Ann Russo 

annr@sfmoreland.catholic.edu.au   with the amount you have deposited.

Have a great week 

Manuela.