Buninyong PS Newsletter

Principal's Report

PREPARING FOR 2023

As always at this time of year, there is lots of work happening behind the scenes to prepare for the following school year.  This includes:

 

Class Groupings - Over the past few weeks teachers have spent considerable time placing children into classes for next year.  As always, we are seeking to develop classes that are most likely to provide the best possible learning environment for our students.  To achieve this, we focus on developing well balanced groupings, taking account of academic progress, behaviours, friendships and the influence particular children have on each other.  

 

We place particular importance on student friendships and try very hard to make sure every student is placed in a class where they will feel welcome and comfortable.  Information supplied by parents regarding placement is also taken into consideration.  It is worth noting that parents have been very reasonable with their requests, which is very much appreciated.  As you could understand, grouping children with so many aspects to consider is no easy task and we hope you will be pleased with the outcome.

 

Students get the opportunity to meet their new teacher on Friday December 16 and spend 60 minutes with their class for 2023.  Most children will be excited about the change that comes with a new teacher and mixing with some new children.  Others might be disappointed with the prospect with not being with all of their friends.  If this is the case, help your child see the positives in the situation…they will still get to mix with whoever they like at break times and out of school and will get the opportunity to work with some different children in class. 

 

Please encourage your child/ren to approach the Meet Your Teacher session with a positive mindset.  Our aim is for all students to enter these transition periods with the confidence they need to achieve success.  The attitude our children take to this will be shaped by trusted adults around them. 

 

Staff Roles – We’re putting the final touches on staff roles for 2023 and next week’s newsletter will include a full rundown.

 

Parent Contributions - A document outlining financial contributions we are seeking from parents was recently sent home in hard copy form with the kids.  If this hasn’t made it to you yet, please check your child’s bag.  Please give the office a call if the contribution request form didn’t make it home.

 

As a public school, we rely heavily on parent contributions to provide your children with the resources and programs you expect and thank you in advance for this support.  If you have any questions regarding financial contributions or would like to set up a payment plan, please contact our Business Manager, Trudy Coles by calling the general office.

 

End of Year Tidy Up – Next week we commence the onerous task of having a good tidy up, knowing that it’s always nice to return in the new year with our teaching spaces ready to go. 

 

Overall we are really pleased with how things are coming together for next year.  Whilst this week is business as usual, we look forward to some end of year fun activities, the grade 6 graduation, the Scotsburn Christmas Breakup and a whole school assembly in the final week of term.

 

SELECTING OUR BUNINYONG CAMPUS SCHOOL CAPTAINS FOR 2023

We recently completed the selection process to determine our School Captains for 2023.  The whole process is a great experience for the students involved and we're proud of how they are all handled themselves.  We had many capable candidates, so decision making certainly wasn’t easy.  So how are these decisions made? 

  • All grade 5 students were invited to write and deliver a speech explaining why they ought to be considered for a School Captain position. 
  • The grade 5 teachers & specialist teachers were asked for feedback on each of the candidates.
  • Candidates were interviewed by Mrs Sullivan, the current school captains and myself.
  • After considering the speeches, the interviews and feedback from our grade 5 and specialist teachers, our new School Captains were selected and announced to all involved.                

We are pleased to announce that our school captains for 2023 will be Bailey Young, Harry Long, Sophie O’Loughlin and Grace Davis. We know they will do an excellent job for us over the coming 12 months.  Our new school captains will be presented to the school community on the last day of school (December 20) at the whole school assembly.

GRADE 6 TEAMS

Our School Captains are not the only students who get an opportunity to take on added responsibility.  Over the past few years we have had a range of grade 6 teams at both campuses making a contribution to our school. 

 

These provide an excellent opportunity for our grade 6 students to make a strong contribution to our school in their final year.  In the process they learn a whole new set of skills, build a stronger connection to the school and help build pride in our school.  None of the students are obliged to join a team, but most are keen, which is excellent. 

 

We thank our current grade 6s for their efforts in those teams and encourage our grade 5s to embrace the concept and give it their best shot in 2023.  Grade 5 students have nominated preferences for roles and this week teachers will be meeting to sort children into teams.  Hopefully by this time next week students will know the team they have been allocated to for 2023.  After completing the school captain selection process, it’s clear we have a considerable number of students with the skills and enthusiasm to drive and contribute to these teams.

BROADCAST OF THE 2022 VICTORIAN STATE SCHOOL SPECTACULAR (VSSS)

We had a team of 16 students, led by Mrs Morgan, perform at this year’s VSSS.  That was an amazing experience for all involved and now you all get the opportunity to watch the performance on channel 7 on December 17 starting at 7pm.  The show will also be streaming on 7plus (www.7plus.com.au) for the following 30 days.

 

We have already registered for VSSS in 2023, so Mrs Morgan will be looking for students interested in participating.  Watching the 2022 VSSS on TV might just help some students decide whether this is something they’d like to put their hand up for.