Principal's Report

NAPLAN Results

The results from NAPLAN, the literacy and numeracy tests that were administered to students in years 3 and 5 in May were distributed at the end of last term. Individual results have been distributed to parents of children involved. This data will add to the rich information and assessments that your child’s teachers already regularly gather and use to inform their teaching and make judgements about students’ learning. As staff we are currently reviewing and analysing and the results and ensuring that specific programs are in place to support those students deemed as in need.

In summary the results indicate:

•             Our students are performing well above the state mean in all areas assessed in both year 3 and 5                 (Reading, Writing, Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation, and Numeracy)

•             The results in Writing have shown a significant improvement assessed from the previous years

•             Reading and Numeracy results are significantly stronger in comparison to the previous years of                      year 3 data

•             We have more top performing students than the state mean in year 3 and year 5 and we are                           equal or better than similar schools

•             We have significantly less low performing students than the state mean.

Our school goal in 2019 has been explicitly teaching the craft of writing and conferencing our students to the next point of their learning. Our students have been setting learning goals around their writing.   They are able to articulate their strengths and the areas to improve on. Staff and students have worked together to this and I believe this is reflected in such outstanding NAPLAN results. I wish to acknowledge the professional learning by staff led by Marita Horvath, Kate Mcleod and Meg Hubbard and the continued hard work by our students and teachers. 

Billy Cart and Footy Day

There were a wide range of billy cart entries on the Billy Cart and Footy Day last term. Some carts were more successful in staying on track around the course but all participants contributed to another highly successful event.  The assembled crowd of students, staff, families and friends cheered on all and there was even time for quick teachers’ race.

Facilities

A number of projects were completed or are nearing completion during the holidays

•             Green Mile was resurfaced and has been described as like ‘walking through snow’

•             Asphalting pathways from Churinga Ave and the grade 3 hub and the entrance to the senior hub                 to reduce the mud and for health and safety reasons

•             Oval has been growing and needing regular mowing- green is my favourite colour

•             Steps down from the oval have been rebuilt with stone and gravel

•             Gardens are showing the effects of the lovely spring sunshine and rain

•             25 Year Celebration Garden is well underway with pavers laid and the Enchanted Tree almost                         complete

•             Every child in the school is decorating a piece of bunting to decorate the 25 year Garden area

Rangeview 25 Years -Colour Explosion Friday 25th October

On Friday 25th October we will have the Colour Explosion to celebrate 25 years as Rangeview through our wonderful Parents and Friends Club. All Students will participate in the run/walk and some may also participated in the ‘colour’ spray section. It is glorious to see and a fantastic way to exercise, have fun and raise funds for the school – all at once. Our warmest thanks go to the Parents and Friends Club and in particular Heather Roche who was instrumental in making this event come to life.

Peggy Mourelatos Mentoring by Liz Barr

I am an Assistant Principal at Mont Albert PS and I am currently undertaking a one year course to prepare for principalship. As part of the course, I am completing an internship at Rangeview PS and Liz Barr has kindly put her hand up to be my mentor. I will be at RPS for the next 3 weeks and intend to return early next year for 2 weeks. Liz is an instructional leader who believes in building capacity in others and I am grateful for her dedication and time.

Liz is a wealth of knowledge: I am learning a lot from listening to Liz’s conversations and picking her brain. In a short time working alongside Liz, I have developed a greater appreciation of the complexity of the job of a Principal who wears many hats: from being an expert Master Builder, to being a psychologist to budgeting to ensuring students’ outcomes are reached and to many more. I don’t know of many other professions where one has to wear many hats in a space of a couple of hours!

I have been very impressed with how welcoming all the students and staff at RPS have been. I look forward to meeting you and having a chat.

See you around the yard.

Mr Chicken All Over Australia by author Leigh Hobbs

Late last year well-known author, Leigh Hobbs visited Rangeview and held a workshop for students in Levels 1, 2 & 3.  Leigh showed the children a draft copy of the cover of his next book 'Mr Chicken All Over Australia'.  After the workshop, Leigh asked if students would like to write a letter to Mr Chicken suggesting places around Australia that he could visit.  All the letters were sent off to the publisher and some letters from Rangeview students were selected.  These students; Molly W, Ben H, Thomas C and Archie P were presented with a copy of the published book at yesterday's assembly.  

Classes for 2020

When developing individual classes each year, teachers consider a number of factors including academic ability, special skills and talents, social competencies, gender, students who work well together, those who may not work well together and friendship groupings. While the students are consulted about current friendships, it is only one of the criteria considered because “building new relationships” is also part of our education process and an important skill for students to develop. The placement of students for the coming year is a complex process where teachers put great thought and sensitivity into their planning. They discuss, reflect and review their decisions over a period of time.

If students have any learning or social needs to be considered when placing them in classes for 2020, parents can write a letter addressed to me stating their needs and requests for consideration. Parents are not able to request specific teachers. The closing date for these considerations is: Friday, 1st November. Requests received after this date cannot be considered.

Students leaving the school in 2020

Please notify the school office in writing if your child will not be returning to Rangeview Primary School in 2020 (other than current Year 6 students) as this assists us with our planning for classes next year. Thank you for your prompt assistance.

Welcome back to all our families after the term break.