Principal's Message

Remote Learning Version 2.0

This edition of our newsletter sees a return to Remote Learning (Version 2.0 as we have dubbed it) and another set of challenging opportunities, through which our community can support each other to shine.

As you would be aware, over the last fortnight we asked our families to respond to a survey which focused upon how we can improve the Remote Learning experience for our families. Over 60% of our families responded, with overwhelming support for the action our school is undertaking to focus upon continuous improvement.

Learning at USPS is a partnership between our families and the school, with all parties dedicated to achieving successful learning outcomes.

Through on-site discussions we held with our students at the end of Term Two, one of the suggestions from our student body mentioned that students missed out on being able to 'have contact' with the Principal during Remote Learning. They made a great suggestion "We think Mr Kitch should make a kid-friendly video as part of the newsletter?"

We thought that was a great idea; so please check out Mr Kitch's video below which focuses upon recent improvements we have been undertaking during Remote Learning.

On behalf of our school community, we would like to personally thank you for the solution-focused thinking with which our families responded to the survey.

Update of Curriculum Days

School Council have approved that all Curriculum Days which were listed for Term Two and Term Three (Friday 1st May, Friday 5th June, and Friday 7th August) be deferred to a later date.

Following further guidance from DET as to what will occur beyond August 19th (the current designated period of Remote Learning), these dates will be confirmed to occur in either late Term Three, or Term Four.

Supporting Homelessness Week

Be grateful for what we have, and take action to support those in need

We are proud to say that our Junior School Council (JSC) are supportive of a community initiative to support the Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief Service (DRERS). Please refer to the School Council page for further information.

Keeping Aware of Information Relating to School

As a school we work hard to keep our families informed of happenings across the school. We acknowledge that receiving information in a timely and consistent manner can help to alleviate the pressures which come from managing a busy family calendar.

Communicating via Compass

All of our school notifications are sent via the Newsfeed within the Compass app. There is also a calendar of events within the app, which sends push notifications to users to remind them of school events.

In 2020, we are also utilising Compass for families to consent and pay in order for their children to take part in school events. The uptake and comments from families thus far is that it is so easy to do, and helpful to be able to consent at the push of a button.

In order to filter notifications which are received, you will notice that we send out notifications which are year level specific. This means that sometimes not all notifications are sent to all year levels.