Principal's Report

OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE SCOTSBURN KITCHEN

On Friday we have the official opening of the kitchen at Scotsburn.  This project was funded by Buninyong Community Bank, and we’re delighted with the outcome.  Scotsburn students will be preparing food for all in attendance, demonstrating what can be achieved in the refurbished space.

SCHOOL REVIEW UPDATE

As mentioned previously, all schools work through a review process once every 4 years.  The review is overseen by a panel, and on this occasion, the panel is made up of:

·         Kevin Enright (An independent reviewer appointed by the Department of Education. Kevin is leading the process.)

·         Karen Biggelaar (Senior Education Improvement Leader from the Regional Office)

·         Alana Jones (Education Improvement Leader from the Regional Office)

·         Francis Trezise (Principal of Spring Gully PS)

·         Narelle, Nicole and myself as school representatives

The review panel spent a full day together on May 8, with a focus on setting the scene and getting to know the school.  On this day the panel took time to:

·         Look at the goals and targets set 4 years ago and the progress made against those.

·         Consider the Pre-Review Self Evaluation compiled by the school in the lead up to the review. 

·         Undertake classroom observations.

·         Agree on aspects of our work that will be explored in detail on the 3 field days coming up on May 22, 25 & 29.

So next week we have 2 of 3 field days.  Over the course of these 3 days, the panel will:

·         Undertake classroom observations.

·         Run focus groups with students, staff & parents.

·         Observe teacher planning sessions.

All parents are invited to attend parent focus groups.  For Scotsburn, this will take place in the old building at 9am on Monday May 29th.  For Buninyong, this is scheduled for Thursday May 25th in the staffroom.

The review concludes on June 19, when the panel will convene for the last time to pull together everything that has come to light throughout the review and develop goals and targets to guide our work over the coming 4 years.

Prep Transition Surveys

There is a lot that goes into supporting students and families from kinder into prep.  The process goes over many months and involves liaising with local kinders and other early childhood centres, preparing and distributing information, open mornings, tours, the pre-schooler program, orientation day, buddies and a range of strategies to help preps and parents settle into school in the new year. 

Late in term 1 each year, we survey our prep parents to gather feedback on how our preps have transitioned into school.  This is a useful way of helping us understand the impact of the transition process.  Parents are asked to rate key aspects of the transition process, for example:

• I was made to feel welcome on my initial contact with the school.
• The information I received from the school before enrolment was relevant and helpful.
• The transition visits to school were valuable and enjoyable for my child……. etc

 Parents also had the opportunity to add written comments.

Recently the results were collated and yesterday I sat down with the prep team to consider the feedback gathered.  Overall, the results were extremely positive.  The ratings were strong, and the vast majority of comments were positive.  As always, we received some excellent suggestions, which is always useful. 

This has affirmed the transition process we have in place and has helped us understand where there are opportunities to improve.  The prep team have already planned a few subtle changes to the transition process in response to the feedback.  This includes undertaking some planning to tighten up the buddy process.

Well done to all involved in the transition process and a big thank you to all parents who helped us out and took the time to complete a transition survey.