Education Week at Croydon SDS

Last week, we celebrated Education Week with families joining us across a number of open sessions throughout the week. It was wonderful to see parents and carers engaging alongside staff and students in learning experiences across the school.

On Wednesday afternoon, it was wonderful to see many families attend and engage in a presentation by guest speaker Helen Tainsh on the benefits of AAC and the important role communication supports play in student learning and connection.

Thursday’s Primary parent participation session focused on bringing literacy and sensory experiences together, while Friday’s Secondary and Senior Secondary session explored social skills through sports and active participation.

Thank you to all families who attended and helped make Education Week such a positive and collaborative celebration of learning.

Home–School Communication Review

This term, we have commenced a Home–School Communication Review to strengthen partnerships with families and ensure communication is clear, respectful, timely, and accessible for all members of our community.

The review panel includes school staff and parent representatives from across all sections of the school. Following two review meetings held in May, the panel has examined current communication practices including newsletters, emails, phone calls, communication books, Student Support Group (SSG) meetings, Compass, and face-to-face meetings.

Several key improvement areas have been identified, including:

Improving communication access for EAL families through translation and interpreting supports
Increasing the sharing of student photos to support conversations between students and families
Reviewing the consistency and format of home–school communication
Sharing class timetables with families
Strengthening parent and student voice during SSG meetings
Improving information and support regarding post-school pathways and transition planning

The panel has also begun developing recommendations around communication expectations, use of Compass and email communication, and future implementation timelines.

A third review meeting will take place on Friday 5 June, with further updates to be shared with the school community in coming newsletters.

Mini Woolworths Launching Soon!

We are excited to announce that our Mini Woolworths program will officially launch on Wednesday 24 June.

Over the past few weeks, we have commenced planning with the Woolworths team, and our old art room is being transformed into a simulated supermarket environment. Shelving, products, signage and a checkout register will soon be installed to create an engaging and realistic shopping experience for our students.

The Mini Woolworths program will provide students with valuable opportunities to develop real-life skills in literacy, numeracy, communication and social interaction, while building confidence and independence in a safe and supportive environment.

We look forward to sharing more updates and photos as the space comes together.

SWPBS