Message from the Principal 

GREAT RESULTS IN READING

A highlight for our school NAPLAN data this year has been our improvement in our Reading results. In 2019 we set a very aspirational target of 55% of Year 5 students to test in the Top 2 Bands of NAPLAN. Last year we were close to reaching this with 53% and this year we surpassed it with 59%. This is also now 2%-5% above the schools we are compared with in terms of socio-economic and family occupation measures.

This is a terrific achievement and a celebration of all things we have done and worked at over the past few years. Our improvement strategy has been very comprehensive and multi-faceted and has included prioritizing daily time at the start of each day for reading, setting up spaces in each classroom to promote and enjoy reading and of course teacher professional learning with a particular focus on extending our students.

Whilst this data is GREAT, the very best thing is seeing the growth in our students love of reading. Talking with them about the books they love to read, listening to them read and of course seeing them share their reading is a highlight each day. If we support our students to develop a lifelong love of reading this is something to truly celebrate. 

FUEL FREE FRIDAY

Next week on Friday 21st October, we are encouraging students to walk, ride or scoot to school. This is an initiative of our Sustainability and Environment Sub-Committee with the aim of fostering behaviours that help our environment whilst also building a strong sense of school community. We have started with one day each term and for extra motivation there will also be a prize for the class with the highest percentage of students who have used some form of people power as opposed to petrol power to get to school. If you live further away and need the car, you can still get involved by parking a little further away than normal and walking the rest of the way. 

PLANNING FOR 2023

Our team is heavily involved in planning mode for next year. This week our Executive Leadership team met to review elements of our 2022 Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) and start to develop our 2023 AIP. We also have some exciting news. With the new Victorian Government Schools Agreement and the increase in non-face to face time provided to teachers each week (this is time teachers spend in planning, assessment, organization and other responsibilities) we will be running a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Maths) specialist program. Our STEAM specialist program will join our existing Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Italian and Physical Education programs resulting in all students having 5 x specialist lessons each week.

Stay tuned for more information about this, but it is very exciting and something I know that so many of our students will find engaging and really spark their curiosity and critical thinking.  

I can also confirm that we will run 22 classes again next year. This is the same number as this year. There will be 3 x Prep classes of 20 students in each, however the exact number of classes at each other level is still being confirmed as we model different scenarios. 

If you would like to find out more about our school structure, class sizes and organization then our next Meet with the Principal Team on Wednesday 9th November is a date to put in your diary. This session will start at 7.30pm and be hosted via Webex.

James Penson

Principal