THE LINK

Principal's Report

I am going to start off this week’s message by thanking all parents who came along to my first parent forum last night. Our focus was on ‘celebration’ and ‘connection’ and I feel we most certainly achieved that. There was an exceptionally positive vibe in the room, wonderful to meet parents I have not yet met and connect everyone after the challenges of the past couple of years. It was an absolute pleasure to share our 2022 journey with you all, outline the plan for 2023 and most importantly gain your perspective on our WINS, OPPORTUNITIES and WONDERINGS (which I will share via the link progressively over the next couple of weeks). I look forward to considering the Opportunities and Wonderings as we establish plans for 2023 (and beyond). I also look forward to many more parent forums in the near and distant future. 

During the evening we shared;

  • Naplan data and reporting to parents
  • 2023 organisational structure, class structure and specialist subjects, camps program
  • Our approach to learning, wellbeing and behaviour support 
  • The importance of working in partnership

WINS (summary of parent feedback)

  • Focus on wellbeing
  • Wellbeing and Learning focus together
  • Positive school
  • Language of zones of regulation coming home
  • Good data, lots of NAPLAN celebrations
  • Indigenous focus
  • Parents being back in the school
  • Breakfast Club
  • School Grounds
  • Stable Leadership
  • Enthusiastic principal, passionate staff
  • Improvement in use of Compass and the interim report (previous feedback being actioned)
  • Seesaw work samples
  • Buddy session (children making connections across the school)
  • Communication eg Seesaw and Compass
  • Lots of opportunities for parents to contribute or volunteer
  • Student voice
  • Mixed age group of leadership team

For parents who couldn’t be there last night, I will provide information in the LINK (read below). 

Events coming up 

It is a busy time ahead, we will do our best to keep reminding you about what is coming up. This week we have had the parent forum, grade 1 Twilight School and Cross Code community event.  We have some very generous parents giving up their time to support the election day BBQ this Saturday, as we are a voting site…come down for a sausage between 9 and 2. Next Thursday (1st December) we are all very excited for our inaugural colour run – bring your gold coins for the run, raffle tickets, sausage sizzle, cakes and KItchen Garden produce stall.

Car park loop

We are doing our best to keep all the students safe after school and ask for your help to wait until you are the first/second car in the line before your child approaches your car. We are also reminding students to walk on the path on the right side of the small fence, and avoid walking where cars are waiting in line. Please support us in also having this discussion at home. If you are at the front of the line and your child is not yet at the waiting area, we will politely ask you to move into the carp park area or proceed to the end of the line. Thank you for your understanding and support. This is ultimately to keep your children safe. 

Parent Forum 2022…

Framework for Improving Student Outcomes (Victorian Government Schools)

When integrated, these elements build a positive environment through strong relationships that enables all students to become:

  • happy, healthy, and resilient
  • successful lifelong learners
  • active, informed members of just and sustainable communities.

WEPS Reporting Process 

2023 organisational structure, class structure and specialist subjects

Class structure

  • Foundation (3 classes - approx 20-21 students)
  • 1/2 (6 classes - approx 22-23 students )
  • 3/4 (6 classes - approx 24-25 students)
  • 5/6 (5 classes - approx 26 students)
  • Literacy (Reading, Writing), Numeracy, Inquiry/Discovery, Wellbeing and Social Connections

Specialist Subjects (1 hour per class, per week)

  • Science 
  • Physical Education
  • The Arts
  • Cultural Studies (Indigenous Perspectives)

Burning question – Why do we have composite classes from grade 1-6?

This occurs to keep our numbers to a minimum in the junior and middle years. We also have the opportunity to support social and learning connections with a larger number of students, rather than limit this to one year level. 

Please feel free to email your WINS, OPPORTUNITIES and WONDERINGS if you could not attend last night – marina.milich@education.vic.gov.au