Principal's Report

Assembly 

Our first assembly for Term 2 will be held tomorrow at 3.00pm in The Hub. I hope to see many of you there.

Security Cameras 

Our security cameras have not yet been installed. This will take place in the next week or two. I'll notify our school community once these are installed and operational.

Mother’s Day Breakfast

Mr Parkes circulated some Mother’s Day Breakfast information via Compass last Friday, 28th April. I have repeated this message below. Please check it and place an order if you haven’t already done so, as we would love to have you with us for breakfast on the morning of Friday 12th May.  Happy Mother's Day to all of our awesome SGPS mums for Sunday 14th May!

Parent Club and Mrs Leed are facilitating the creation of a Mother’s & Special Friend’s Day gift again this year. We are requesting that families place an order for gifts via the Canteen module in Compass. In addition to this, families can also place an order for Mother’s & Special Friend’s Day breakfast, taking place in the Hub on the morning of Friday 12th May from 7am to 8:30am. 

The gift is a great opportunity for students, to make something special for their loved ones, but it is also a valuable fundraiser for our school and the brekky is an awesome way to celebrate Mother’s Day. Thank you very much for your support.To order gifts and breakfast via the Canteen module in Compass please follow these steps:

1. Open the Canteen module on your phone or via a web browser.
2. Select the sitting date – Friday 12th May
3. For each of your children, order a gift ($5) and breakfast ($3), if applicable.
4. On one of your children’s orders, include orders for adult breakfast/s ($5 each).
5. Confirm and pay.

** If you would like an individual child to create 2 gifts, please adjust the quantity on the order. We would really appreciate gift and breakfast orders no later than tomorrow Friday 5th May to assist us with planning and ordering. Thank you!

Education Week - Sunday, 14th May to Saturday, 20th May

Education Week 2023 is almost here!

This year, Education Week runs from Sunday 14 to Saturday 20 May. The theme Active Learners: Move, Make, Motivate celebrates the many ways students learn, through physical activity, hands on learning and student voice.

Education Week is an opportunity for our school to celebrate and share with you how we encourage our students to be active learners.

More information about Education Week at Spring Gully Primary School will be circulated soon. 

Prospective Prep Parent Information Evening - Wednesday, 17th May at 6.30pm

This information evening aims to provide parents of children beginning school in 2024 with an understanding of Spring Gully Primary School and all that we have to offer. The evening will provide an overview of the curriculum and information regarding the wellbeing and specialist programs that are in place. We will include information about how you can become part of our school community and how you can be involved in your child’s education. It is also an opportunity to meet current Prep teachers, Mr Parkes and myself. The evening will conclude with time to answer any questions that you may have. 

2024 Prep Dates

The dates and activities below relate to our 2024 Prep intake. Prospective Prep parents are encouraged to partake in these activities.

Education Week Activities & Dates

Prospective Prep Parent Information Evening

Wednesday, 17th May – 6.30pm to 7.30pm

For an individual appointment, please contact the office and make a booking.

Whole School Open Morning

Thursday, 18th May – 9.00am to 10.30am

Information Evening for 2023 Confirmed Prep Parents

Wednesday, 15th November – 6.30pm to7.30pm

Orientation Program Dates for 2024 Preps

Tuesday, 21st November – 9.00am-10.00am 

Tuesday, 28th November – 9.00am-10.00am

Tuesday, 5th December – 9.00am-10.00am

Tuesday, 12th December – 9.00am-11.30pm

School Bus Management System

Important update for students who are approved for travel on the School Bus Program:  Upgrades are being made to the School Bus Management System (SBMS). To make this important change, the SBMS will be unavailable from COB Friday 5 May 2023 for a period of time.

If you need help during this time, you can email the School Bus Program team on schoolbus@education.vic.gov.au or call on 1800 338 663. 

2023 Student Attitudes to School Survey

The following information is to inform Grade 4-6 families about the 2023 Student Attitudes to School Survey (AtoSS).

About the survey

We value student voice as a means to improving student engagement, wellbeing and quality instruction and are conducting a survey to find out what your child thinks of their school. 

The AtoSS is an annual student survey offered by the Department of Education to assist schools to gain an understanding of students' perceptions and experience of school. Students will be asked about their thoughts and feelings in relation to their school, their learning, peer relationships, resilience, bullying, health and wellbeing, physical activity, and life in general. 

This year, the AtoSS will be conducted between May 12 and June 9. Exact dates have not been set.

What are the benefits?

Young people enjoy having a say! This survey has been running for nearly 20 years and is invaluable in helping schools understand student views to plan programs and activities to improve your child's schooling experience. The survey responses also help the Department of Education understand how student’s learning experiences can be improved.

What are the risks?

While we do not anticipate many risks of participation, some students may find some of the survey questions personal and sensitive in nature. Should you agree for your child to participate, they are still free to skip questions or to withdraw at any stage if the survey makes them upset or uncomfortable. A teacher will be present during the survey to support students.

The questions are selected from validated survey instruments used in Australia and around the world, are strength-based, and tailored for each year level group.

What will my child be asked to do?

Your child will be invited to complete the survey online during class time using a purpose built secure online survey tool. It is important to note that we are not in any way “testing” your child. Please note:

• Student participation in the survey is voluntary and students may withdraw at any time.
• The survey will take around 45 minutes to complete.

How is my child’s confidentiality protected?

Your child will be provided with a unique login to complete the survey from their teacher. The student login is an assigned identifier that may be used to link data for statistical and research purposes only. Personally identifiable data will not be recorded in the survey response file to ensure the confidentiality of your child’s responses is protected at all times.

How will results be reported?

The survey results will be reported back to the school in aggregate form throughout the survey period. All survey data that is made available in reports are for groups of students only so that no individual student can be identified. Data suppression rules are used for schools with low student numbers per year level.

Our school will share the results of the survey with parents, in documents such as the School Annual Report.

A copy of the survey that we are asking your child to complete is available. Please contact the office if you would like to see the survey before making your decision about whether you would like your child to participate. 

If you would like more information, please speak to your child’s teacher, or contact the department at school.surveys@education.vic.gov.au.