From Our School Leaders

Welcome Back!

It’s great to see everyone back at school with smiles and a ready-to-learn attitude. We have heard all about the family holidays, time at home relaxing and the Easter Bunny arriving. We hope our school community had a lovely break. 

Attendance Audit

We have been selected to have an attendance audit this term by the Department of Education, and this has prompted us to look at our current practices of recording and monitoring student attendance, and to make a few alterations to our recording of attendance matters. 

Last year, and in Term 1 2023, we tracked student attendance, as we have concerns about those students who are missing days of learning on a regular basis.  Student absence can climb quickly, and we already have a few students who have missed more than 2 weeks of school this year. 

Attendance Guidelines introduced in 2018 - From the end of Term 2 2018, all Victorian government schools must contact parents/carers as soon as practicable on the same day of an unexplained student absence.

The same-day notification requirement supports the safety and wellbeing of all students. Schools need to know when and why a child is absent, and parents/carers need to know if their child is not at school. Prompt communication also promotes daily school attendance. 

Going to school every day is the single most important part of a child’s education. Children and young people who regularly attend school and complete Year 12 or an equivalent qualification have better health outcomes, better employment outcomes, and higher incomes across their lives.

Here is a document from DET explaining the importance of attendance for primary school students - "School is better when you're here" - which you may like to read through with your children.

We are looking to improve our attendance data this term. If you need assistance with your child’s attendance, please see your classroom teachers. Nicole and Sue are also available for an attendance meeting if required. 

We are also asking again that parents place student absences on Compass before 9.30am and state the reason for the absence.

Year 3-6 'Think U Know' Presentations and Parents 'Think U Know' Presentation

Presentations by Victoria Police for Students and Parents on Monday 8th May

Think U Know Australia is an evidence-based education program led by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), delivered nationally in partnership with police and industry partners to prevent online child sexual exploitation.

They incorporate up-to-date research, real case studies and examples from reports made to the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation.

Topics included within the presentation are specifically aimed at educating and increasing awareness about online child sexual exploitation including avoiding inappropriate contact, online grooming, self-generated content, sexual extortion and how to get help.

The program is a partnership  with the AFP, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Datacom and Microsoft Australia, and in collaboration with all State and Territory police and Neighbourhood Watch Australasia.

Monday 8th May - Free Presentations 

• Year 3/4 then 5/6 student presentations, 11.30am-1.30pm (1 hour presentations)`
• Parent face-to-face presentation, 7.00pm at Scoresby PS     

Please see the flyer, in the ESmart News section of this newsletter, for booking details for the parent session. We encourage families to take advantage of this presentation. It will be informative and aims to raise parents' awareness of online safety for their children.

Education Week

Scoresby PS will be celebrating Education Week from the 20th - 26th of May.

This year’s Education Week theme is Active Learners: Move, Make & Motivate, which celebrates physical activity, hands-on learning and student voice in learning.

• Foundation Open Morning, 10.00am-12.00pm - Saturday 20th May                       For new prospective 2024 Foundation families. Meet school leaders & staff, take a tour with our School Captains.
• Open Evening, 6.00 - 7.30pm - Tuesday 23rd May                                                       Take part in our MOVE, MAKE & MOTIVATE activities. This is a community event for our school with current and prospective families welcome.
• Grandparents & Friends Morning, 9.00-11.00am - Friday 26th May ​

We look forward to seeing you throughout the week!

Staffing News

Ms Emmerson Hickleton has joined our teaching staff, as our Physical Education teacher for the rest of 2023. PE for classes Years 1-6 will now be on Tuesdays or Wednesdays for the remainder of the year. 

I am pleased to inform the community that Ms Rachel Crofts is expecting her second child in September. Ms Crofts will be working until mid-Term 3, then will commence maternity leave.  We will advertise her position early next term for her replacement. We wish Rachel and Jack all the very best, and we are sure Madeline will be looking forward to becoming a big sister too. 

Beanies

SPS Beanies have been added to our school uniform range for 2023 – just in time for the colder months. 

They are $17.95 each. Beanies are available from PSW and we have a limited number at the school office for sale. Thanks to our wonderful Foundation models for their assistance!

SUE HARTLEY AND NICOLE RHEUMER

Scoresby Primary School Leaders