Principal's Report
Fete News!
Wow! Only 9 more sleeps until the Fete, how exciting! Thank you to all the parents and grandparents who have volunteered their time to assist on stalls and for other jobs on the day. If you haven’t already, we are still seeking volunteers for the activities/stalls below:
Japanese Food - volunteersignup.org/PMR9L
Chinese Food - volunteersignup.org/BKBCC
Devonshire Tea's - volunteersignup.org/YDBTF
Indian/Sri Lankan Food - volunteersignup.org/HD8KA
Sporting Activities/Kids Ninja Warriors - volunteersignup.org/TFAEL
General Set up/Pack up - volunteersignup.org/88FAT
Plants - volunteersignup.org/THXXC
BBQ - volunteersignup.org/MTYYT
Fete Cake Stall
We are asking for baked goods for the Cake Stall, so please see the PA page for details.
Working Bee this Saturday
Don't forget the pre-Fete working bee this Saturday 19th October from 9-11am. We need the school to be looking it's best for the Fete. At the conclusion of the morning there will be the usual Sausage Sizzle and a raffle for those students that attend.
Congratulations!
This week we had several students from Year 6 compete in the Divisional Hot Shots Tennis Competition: Max, Ewen, Markas, Athena, Madi, Summer, Eryn, Xavier, Antony, Pete, Linda, Sean, Yiota, Henry, Aroha and Vivian. Congratulations to both teams, with the boys winning their way their way through to the Regional Finals.
End of Year Practices
It is rapidly approaching the time of year when teachers start the formal process of student placement for the following year. However, in reality student placement decisions are shaped during the entire year as teachers observe and listen to students and parents/carers in relation to their wellbeing and learning needs.
Student placement decisions are not made lightly, as we recognise the importance of creating an optimum learning environment. It is an extremely complex process to ensure that we have a balance and appropriate spread of ability, gender and social dynamics to promote learning and support all our students.
Classroom teachers and specialist teachers are very well-aware of friendship groups and the dynamics within the classes which either enhance or impede the classroom climate. Teachers will use their extensive knowledge of how students interact and relate to each other when placing students.
We want to reassure all families that the teachers will be ensuring each student is placed in a class with other students with whom they are familiar (but perhaps not best friends with) and are able to build positive relationships to assist with their continued learning. All students are given the opportunity to nominate a selection of friends that they would be happy to be with next year. This process reinforces our values of building relationships and resilience in our students.
We also wish to remind families that in the lead up to the end of the year, through our transition sessions and Meet the Teacher session, students will have opportunities to mix and interact with other students in their year level, but in a different class.
Throughout the entire year, students have had many opportunities to develop relationships with students in their year level. Examples of these include: Interschool Sport, PE, Athletics Days, Cross Country Days, Camps, Excursions, Incursions, Japanese Day, Hoop Time, OSHC, mixed class groups rotating through integrated curriculum activities and classrooms where teachers are able to open the doors to create a larger learning environment incorporating classes.
At the beginning of next year, through classroom activities, students will be supported and encouraged to form new friendships and develop positive working relationships with students in their class to develop a supportive and nurturing learning environment for all.
We will be retaining our practice of accepting written information from parents regarding any specific learning needs which need to be taken into consideration when placing their child. However, we are not able to take requests for children to be placed together based on friendships or requests for certain teachers as there will be some staffing changes for 2019 as there are in any given year. Teachers are sensitive to students with friendship concerns, and we ask that you trust your child’s teacher along with past teachers and specialists to make the correct decision on their behalf.
Should you wish to alert us to other learning related concerns, please put this in an email to myself freeman.helen.d@edumail.vic.gov.au by Friday 8th November 2019. Emails received after this date cannot be accepted due to the commencement of our process.
Please remember and accept that, whilst parent concerns are noted, there is no guarantee that these concerns can be accommodated through the class placement process.
The SSPS staff would like to thank you in advance for your trust in our professionalism and our ability to create the best learning environment for your child and all our students.
Solar Car/Boat Challenge
Finally, we have Solar Challenge on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th October at Scienceworks. The teams have been working extremely hard over a number of months to prepare for this challenge. Mrs Giannone-Perri has been assisting Mr Ian Gardner. Mr Gardner has volunteered his invaluable knowledge and skills to support our teams entering the competition over many years. On behalf of the school community I wish all students competing all the very best.
Mike Larkin Channel 10 Weather Visit - Thursday 24th October
Students who are able to return to school, must be at school by 5.00 pm and be accompanied by an adult. Students are to wear school uniform.
The filming will take place in the BER ( Year 5/6 Building).
Notification of Departing Students
Understanding that all our Year 6 students will be heading off to Secondary School in 2020, we need to know as soon as possible if any other students are leaving us. If you could let the Office know as soon as possible that would be greatly appreciated.