Principal's Report

Jells Park Primary School
Principal: Kevin Oakey (Acting)
Assistant Principals: David O'Kane
Melissa McLeod (Acting)
Parenting Role in Education
As Principal I occasionally get to read articles about education and educators as they come across my desk, sometimes formally and other times informally. I was recently directed to the following opinion article and I found sections of it very interesting. I would encourage parents to have a read, however do not be put off by the fairly bold heading: this not our opinion of our parent community!!
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/blair-king/child-education_b_9461976.html
I was particularly interested in the last two heading in the article: 'Parents, you must advocate for your kids but you must also support your child's teacher' and 'Parents, your child's teacher cannot replace your role in your child's education'.
This highlighted to me that your child's education is a partnership between teacher and parents, and that it is very necessary for us to work together to ensure the best for your child. At JPPS we aim to do this by:
* encouraging parents to come into the classroom and engage with our school activities
* providing email communications about learning activities in the classroom
* celebrating our activities and successes on the school Facebook page
* providing comprehensive reports, portfolios and interviews, and
* having a high performing School Council with parent representation.
Recent Parent Opinion Survey results at JPPS indicated that parents would still like a little more input into the direction and planning of our programs. I would always welcome and consider any parent input that aims to build the partnership between the school and parents. Please feel free to speak to me or email me.
Be Bold!! Make a difference.
Twilight Market Night
The Jells Park Parent Committee will be running their first Twilight Market Night on Thursday 8 December from 5.00-9.00pm. Stalls will be selling hand crafted and home grown products, perfect for some of your Christmas shopping, as well as some entertainment and food trucks. This is a great initiative from the Parents Committee and I would encourage the community to give the evening their full support.
There are still some stall spots available for any home businesses that has hand crafted or home grown products that would be interested in having a stall at the twilight market. Please contact Ani Korte ASAP on anikorte@optusnet.com.au
2017 Class Planning
REMINDER - Parents who have a request about grade placement for next year related directly to the learning needs of their child, please write me a note or make a time to see me by Monday 14 November. Please note that parents are not able to select a teacher or the friends to be placed with their child as this would make grade placement impossible.
At present, and always subject to change, we are considering the following classes and teachers:
Prep - Miss Newton, Mr Meredith, Miss Mayer, Mrs Friebel
Year 1 - Miss Wood, Mrs Cavanagh, Mr Kalogeropoulos
Year 2 - Ms Beagley, Mr Coughlan, Miss Huglin, Mrs Wyllie/Mrs Dring
Year 3 - Ms Costabile, Miss Butler, Mr Noordhoff
Year 4 - Mrs Dodd, Mr Kaliviotis, Miss Little
Year 5 - Mr Small, Miss McLeod
Year 6 - Miss Ward, Mr Jenkins, Mr Zachariassen
PE - Mr Farmer
Art - Mr Clarke
Music - Ms Fearon
LOTE - Mrs Gordon
ICT / Year 5 support - Mrs Cook
RR / Year 2 support - Mrs Mettrick
EAL - TBA
OSHClub - additional hours!!
OSHClub will be operating additional new hours - the three days from 21-23 December 2016 and opening a week earlier in January, now from Tuesday 3 January.
Please let Anne at OSHClub know if you wish to make use of these times.