From Christian's desk....

Lots of work going on around the grounds at CHPS this week. Thanks Cam, SNR for your artistic insight!

School survey reflections

Last night our School Councillors were presented with various School and Department Survey Data, reflecting the life of the school. This included:

Department Student Attitudes to School Survey
Department Parent Opinion Survey
Croydon Hills Whole School Survey
Maroondah Council Parent and Student Wellbeing Survey

There was a direct correlation between the surveys that provided a glowing reflection of our school's strengths. Similarly there was some consistency in the areas of improvement. On Monday staff will also be reflecting on the surveys.

The highlight for mine were the comments on our staff and school culture:

‘Very happy! They are always happy to go to school and come home excited about lots of things they have done every day!’
‘Teachers and aides do an amazing job with our students and parents.’
‘Amazingly talented and dedicated teachers … committed and invested in supporting the learning of children.’
‘A positive is simply the teachers.’
‘Great community spirit.’
‘School offers a well-rounded curriculum.’
‘… fantastic that teachers come out of their classrooms to be approachable after school. Thank you.’
‘Incredibly satisfied. CHPS is a special place. Teachers are dedicated. It has a wonderful supportive culture and is always welcoming. Teachers are approachable and genuinely want the best for all students. Thank you for all your hard work. We really appreciate it.’

Whilst the overwhelmingly positive responses of all surveys were very comforting, the School Council and staff reflections of our areas of improvement will provide us with a great opportunity to effect positive change in our school community. This may be small surface level changes, for example: a direct action coming from the feedback means that next month our school’s phone number will no longer be private. Alternatively the changes may be more global. This body of work will be done through our School Review in 2020.

Camp out

Last year the Men of the Hills (MOTHS) hosted a Dads & Kids Camp Out on our large oval. The event was an absolute success. This year’s event is scheduled for 9th November with a start time of 4:00pm. Refer to the MOTHS notice in this newsletter for further information.

Playground

The A_Space team have been working tirelessly through this week's weather to have our new Senior Playground ready to play on next week!

Hooptime

Congratulations to the Future Stars Hooptime team that competed at Regional level yesterday and did an amazing job throughout all of their group games. They ended up undefeated with two wins and two draws, and moved into a play-off final to make it through to State. Unfortunately a slow start in the final saw them eventually succumb to Ringwood Heights. All of the students represented the school brilliantly and should be super-proud of their efforts. Thanks to the wonderful parents who assisted with all the jobs on the day

Staffing

Congratulations to Danny Gamble and David Bouris on their successful appointments to Eltham North and Regency Park respectively.

Danny leaves the school following a wonderful year of personal growth and achievement. Danny completed his Masters in Positive Education and a Bastow Educational Leadership Course, which has set him up wonderfully well as Eltham North begin their journey into Positive Education. David has had a significant impact on teaching and learning in the area of mathematics this year and has been a model of best practice in the Senior School.

We wish Danny and David well and all the best in 2020.

2020 Fair

A reminder: a small team has been quietly working away, putting in place preliminary plans for our 2020 Fair. The biannual event, to be held next year on Saturday 21st March 2:00pm – 8:00pm, has been a major fundraiser for the school in the past and has contributed to substantial facilities upgrades.

If you would like to contribute you are invited to join me and the community members who have already committed to the Fair Committee, in the Staffroom Wednesday 23rd October 7:00pm. Volunteers may wish to contribute to:

Fundraising – Facilitating the Silent Auction and Raffle
Logistics – Assisting with bookings and event organisation
People Management – Ride ticket distribution and event day volunteer distribution
Vendors – Facilitation of community stalls and food trucks
Grounds Management – Event day set up and pack up

The Royal Oddball

Further to last week’s newsletter, another congratulations to the students, staff and families who share the gift that is Performing Arts within our school community. ‘The Royal Oddball’ will be forever remembered as a whimsical performance that left the crowd in stitches!

School Review

All Victorian government schools undertake a review every four years. The school community completes a comprehensive self-evaluation against the FISO continua of practice, which involves students, teachers and community members.

An independent analysis is also completed of a school’s performance against their goals and targets in their school strategic plan. The review evaluates the school's strengths, areas for improvement and the impact of its improvement efforts.

At the end of the review, a new four-year school strategic plan is created and endorsed by the school community.

If you are interested in being closely involved in this process you are encouraged to join School Council in 2020.

Christian Holdsworth - Principal

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