Principal's Message
Welcome to Term 4 – always a busy time. I write this while traveling with students performing at the Sydney Opera House as part of the Combined Primary Schools Choir. This is a wonderful experience for the students and I thank Mrs Porter, Mrs Howlett and Mrs Murdock for their work training the choir and organising the excursion.
Please note end of year dates included in the calendar section of this newsletter; particularly the change to the final day of Term 4 for students.
Parent TTFM survey
Mrs Howlett advertised in our last newsletter an opportunity to provide your perspective in a range of areas relating to schooling, via the Tell Them from Me Survey. This is an externally created and analysed survey that our school elects to use to measure progress and inform further work. I encourage everyone to complete the survey, which closes on Friday 4 November. The more responses we receive, the greater our understanding of the perspectives of our families. Click here to complete the parent Tell Them from Me Survey.
COVID-19 isolation requirements
COVID-19 requirements in NSW schools have recently changed in line with community guidelines. Changes regarding COVID-19 isolation requirements have now come into effect. Please see the COVID-19 section of this newsletter for details.
Selective High Schools
Applications for entry into selective schools Year 7 in 2024 are now open. Please
see the information attached below for further information, and be aware of the application timeline, which is strict. This process is for application to enrol in all types of selective schools and classes, including Aurora College. Aurora College is a selective virtual school, which caters for high potential and gifted students in regional and remote schools.
Changes to policy - Inclusive, Engaging and Respectful (IER) Schools Reform
New policies, procedures and frameworks to keep students engaged in learning at school are being implemented in all NSW public schools. The IER reform centres on three new policies that set the guidelines for how we ensure all children and young people can learn through public education in a safe and engaging way. The IER Schools package includes the;
- Inclusive Education Policy for students with disability,
- Student Behaviour Policy, and
- Restrictive Practices Framework.
The Student Behaviour Policy replaces the Student Discipline in Government Schools and Suspension and Expulsion Policy, as of this term. The key change is the approach all NSW public schools will take to address disruptive or inappropriate behaviour by a student. The duration of suspensions schools may impose are now reduced, as are the number of suspensions that can be imposed across a school year. This does not mean, however, that students who are violent or seriously disrupt the learning and wellbeing of others will be kept at school. Any student who puts the safety of other students, staff or visitors at risk of harm will be suspended until it is safe for them to return.
We are reviewing our current approach to all of the areas covered by these policies, and will share our updated school implementation guidelines once these have been finalised.
For more information on these policies, please visit the NSW Department of Education website.
Cam Pryce
Principal