Principal's Report

 Acting Principal - Chris Eeles

Assistant Principal - Matt Saunders  

 Dear Families

Next week we break for the Easter Holiday period on Thursday at 1.30pm and bus travellers at 2.05pm.  Over the next few days, we have some very important events before we can take our break for the holidays. 

Today we had school photos in the morning followed a by BBQ and a ‘colour run’ around the school oval. Next Tuesday the school will hold its annual cross country around the oval and through the school grounds for all year levels.  On Thursday we have our ‘open classrooms’, where families can visit to see the learning our students have undertaken during the term, starting at 11.40 am. The main event of the week will be the Easter Hat parade that is held in the stadium starting at 12.30pm on Thursday afternoon before school is dismissed. 

Over recent weeks we have noticed a decline in the number of students and families using our school crossings on the way to and from school. I would like parents and guardians to encourage their students to use our crossings and not to cut corners or run across the very busy roads around the school. 

Our School Council held its Annual General Meeting last Monday, where the schools Annual Report was endorsed by Council and new officer bearers elected for the next 12 months.  I would like to welcome our new parent and staff representatives and of course, thank our retiring councillors for their support over the last two years. Ms Deborah Flett remains our SC President and Ms Mel Sproal Portwine is our Treasurer. The AGM was immediately followed by our second council meeting for the year and it was great to have strong representation from both parents and staff.  

Last newsletter I mentioned that NAPLAN tests for Grades 3 and Grades 5 students were taking place at our school and indeed across the state. I can report that our participation rate was excellent again, but  now have a long wait to get our results later in the year.  I would like to acknowledge the hard work that both our students and teachers put into getting the NAPLAN tests completed.   As mentioned in our last newsletter, the results provide diagnostic information for parents and teachers about a child’s performance in literacy and numeracy. This information will be used as part of a range of analytical tools to support teaching and learning programs that will improve student achievement and outcomes.  The report issued as a result of the tests will describe a child’s particular skills in language conventions and writing, reading and numeracy. Parents will have their student’s reports forwarded to them later in the year. 

We will update our community closer to the start of term two about staffing at the school for the rest of the year but one member of our staff who is taking leave next term does need to be acknowledge for her service to Echuca South and Echuca Twin Rivers. Mrs Rogerson has been our business manager for many years and has provided great support to parents, students, teachers, fellow education support staff and all the principals who she has worked with at both schools.  We wish her all the best during her well-deserved break and holidays.  Mrs Nesbit will be taking up this role during this period. 

School resumes on Monday the 24th April.  When we return from holidays, it is still important for us to continue to wear our hats in the yard as part of our sun smart program. I would like to wish everyone a very safe and enjoyable Easter break.  Don’t eat too many of those beautiful Easter Eggs and please remember to share. Have a great Easter. 

Chris Eeles 

Acting Principal 

Echuca Twin Rivers Primary School.