Principal's Report 

Dear students and families,

Lots and lots to update you on in this newsletter. I hope that the key dates document we sent home last term has helped you to plot things out somewhat for the term. It should include just about everything you need to know - keeping in mind that if the opportunity of a lifetime pops up for our kids, we would certainly put it to you as families as to whether we add another event or not!

School Norms

In this weeks' edition you will read about the ACS school norms. Last year I surveyed families about what a positive and safe learning environment should look, sound and feel like. The norms have been heavily informed by the wonderful suggestions that came through from our parents.

Before you read more about them on the next page,  I thought it was important to reassure our families and students by communication what the norms are NOT. 

After some valued conversations that were held with some of our families last year, it was highlighed to us that the word 'norms' can be interpreted by many as a not so positive concept. It is my understanding that after those conversations, the families left feeling positive about the norms and with an appreciation of how supportive they are for all students.

What they are NOT -  You know us! The norms are not a punitive set of rules that are applied to all students, in exactly the same way, with no flexibility. In fact, they are heavily informed by evidence which promotes certain practices that support diverse student learning needs. The most important of these practices is routine. Children and adults alike with diverse learning needs thrive in environments where structure and routine helps to make their daily lives predictable. Schools and society can be noisy, inconsistent, unpredictable and really tricky for many of us. For our young people and children, it can make even the most ordinary day seem too overwhelming. 

These norms are one way of reducing this overwhelm for all, allowing our students to come to school every day knowing what to expect and reducing some of the uncertaintly that can result.

Our approach to the norms is what probably stands out as really differentiating between a set of old fashioned rules and what they are intended to be; a way of keeping things nice and routine for all. All students are taught the norms. They are supported and scaffolded at their point of need. Like Reading and Writing, we don't expect our students just to know these things. They need to be taught with just as much kindness, support and acknowledgement of differing needs as we do with the academic work.

Like in the academic, our students will progress through learning these at a different pace to each other. This is ok and is not something to be punished - it means we need to just help and teach them even more!

Some of the norms need to be adjusted for many of our students. For example, it might not be reasonable to ask an individual to line up single file and wait to go into the classroom. Staff would then create a modified version for that student. Many students can't sit still and track the speaker during floor time. Again, modifications are made so that those students still feel part of the group, can participate in a similar fashion, but have their own particular sensory needs met at the same time.

All student learning expectations, behaviour or academic, are modified to suit the individual.

Importantly, all behaviour is taught at ACS using a positive behaviour support framework. This means that when we see students performing expected behaviours, we celebrate and promote their achievements.

We will host an information session so that our families can hear more about this in person - I certainly appreciate that on paper it might raise some questions but can almost guarantee that when you hear and see it in action, you will understand exactly what the norms aim to do.

Principal recruitment process

The recruitment process for a new principal is currently underway. You might remember that I am acting in this role as an interim measure until a substantive principal is recruited. These positions are typically tenured at 5 years. The selection process is conducted by the Department of Education together with the School Council and takes into consideration the culture of the school, future directions and any unique factors relating to the profile of a school. Once the selection process is complete, we will be able to share with you the outcome.

Education Week - Open Classrooms

This coming week is Education Week (see page ahead). We are so excited to open up the classrooms at the following times for families to pop in and see our students in action! Bring yourselves, aunties, uncles, grandparents or special family friends - the more the merrier!

Prep, Year 1, Year 2 classes: Tuesday 14th May from 2:45 – 3:10pm 

Years 3-12 classes: Wednesday 15th May from 2:45 – 3:10pm

We look forward to seeing all members of our school community who are able to attend this event.

2024 Student Attitudes to School Survey (AtoSS)  

The AtoSS is a voluntary annual student survey offered by the Department of Education to assist schools and the department to gain an understanding of students' perceptions and experience of school. The survey is administered to all government school students in Years 4 to 12.  

At Armstrong Creek School (ACS), we highly value student voice as a means to improving student engagement, well-being, and the quality of instruction. Therefore, we will be asking your child about their thoughts and feelings in relation to various aspects of their school experience, including their learning, peer relationships, resilience, bullying, health and well-being, physical activity, and life in general.

This year, the survey will be conducted at ACS from 20th May until 7th June. Information will be circulated to families of students in Years 4-12 in the coming days to provide further details about the AtoSS survey.  Information will be circulated families of students in Years 4-12 in the coming days to provide further information about the AtoSS survey 

Your child's input in this survey is greatly appreciated as they contribute to our ongoing efforts to enhance the school experience for all students.

Thanks everyone,

Have a wonderful weekend.

Kathryn