Principal's Report

Reflections on Last Week

I spent Thursday and Friday at the Inner South Principal's Conference. It is an annual event where principals in the area get together for professional development. It is important that every profession keeps up-to-date with the latest research. I always have a book next to my bedside table and try my best to keep current with educational ideas. 

I read in The Age newspaper that principals are 9.5 times more likely than the 'normal' population to experience threats of violence in the workplace. This is a horrible statistic, but one that does not surprise me. Sadly, the world has become more aggressive and threatening, with students and parents more likely to be hurtful than ever before. The vast majority of students and parents I meet are absolutely delightful and kind. When something goes wrong, however, there can be occasion where you feel threatened as a principal or teacher. I don't know why this is, but I find it sad. It might have something to do with the age of social media where anyone can sit behind a keyboard and feel they can fire off poison whenever they feel wronged. 

The ability of our children and families to rise above this aggression is more important today than ever before. I have a dream where children walk through the doors of our school and feel happy and proud. They look the world in the eye, not with aggression, but with confidence and assertion. Not the assertion that the world owes them something, but the assertion that they can walk with their chins up, their eyes forward and their voice heard. I have so many visitors in the morning (as students arrive) comment how wonderful it is to see students look me in the eye and say a confident hello before shaking my hand. Why is this so strange? Why do they take photos of it happening as though it is a weird thing? It should be normal. 

Kindness and respect are clearly in short supply in the world. The reason I can be a person in the workplace that is apparently 9.5 times more dangerous than other workplaces is that I have hope that we can all work to turn this around -  for the sake of the future of our children. Without that hope, what else do we have?

The Week Ahead

We head into March and the second half of Term 1 already. It seems like yesterday that we opened the school for the start of the new year and here we are half way through the term! The children are starting to settle into a routine and the Preps will be on board for 5 days each week from now on (remembering they still finish school each day at 2:30pm).

We have our Whole School Photograph Day on March 8th so please remember to dress your child up in full school uniform for the event. The photo taken on this day will be with your family for decades to come so we want to get it right. Note that the Prep students usually wear Sports Uniform on this day - but we don't want that on the Photo Day so remember - normal academic uniform for all.

A reminder that Monday, March 11 is Labour Day with no school for either staff or students with no Kindergarten or Out of School Hours Care operating either. The place is shut! We hope you enjoy the upcoming long weekend and you do something safe and happy with your family.

Curriculum Newsletters

As you flick through this newsletter to the various levels, you will notice each one gives you some curriculum detail so you have a good idea of the topics and concepts covered by your child in Term 1. This section will be a feature once per term from now on as we know you are interested in what your child is learning and how you may assist at home with supporting the curriculum.

Enjoy the read.

Parent Teacher Chats - Thank You

Thanks to all parents in Grades 1-6 who attended the Parent Teacher Chats last week. The teachers reported that it was a great way to introduce themselves to you and your families. We base our philosophy on building relationships first as we see the connection between home and school to be critical for success. 

I asked the teachers to hand out two notices to parents. Note that not all parents will have received these notices as they were targetted to students either performing below or above our expected standards. If you received this letter from me, be sure to make contact with your child's classroom teacher as this will involve an Individual Learning Improvement Plan (ILIP) Meeting. 

The other letter I gave out was to any parent whose child did not have a Bring Your Own Device at school. Where financially possible, we want 100% of students bringing their devices to school each day if they are in Grades 1-6.

We receive incredible support from our parents and the ILIP and BYOD are two aspects of school that we need help with. Thanks to all parents for their positive responses - we all really appreciate it.

School Council Ballot Closes Monday 4pm

Last call for parent ballot papers to be handed into the office by 4pm on Monday this week. After that, we will count and declare the ballot and let the school community know the outcome.

Thanks for all parents who showed interest in being on the School Council for 2019 and for all parents who took the time and interest in voting in the ballot. It shows a wonderful investment in the future of our school.

Music Around the World

Hello Parents:

Do you play an instrument from around the world?

This term in our Music Program the theme is "Rhythms From Around the World".

We'd love to have you share your knowledge and skills with the students with a "show and tell" demonstration.

Please see or send a note to Mr. Paul if you are interested.

Parent Liaison Officers

Each family will soon be asked to consider putting either mum or dad's name forward to be the Parent Liaison Officer for your child's class. Details will follow, so this is just a heads-up.

Basically, we will have one main parent contact for each class so we improve our communications with families. While you await further details, have a think if this might be you because we need one per class at a minimum. C'mon - have a go!