Principal's report
Dear Parents,Carers, Students,Staff and members of the Moonee Ponds West Community
Hope you were able to come to the annual Show Day. The weather was glorious, the excitement high as the children planned and set about carrying out their show day plans. Thank-you to parents who cleaned out toy cupboards to assist with the prizes. I think there were a number of winners on the day!
Staffing News
At present we have an Assistant Principals position advertised. Getting a permanent person in this position will add stability to our school. In selecting for this position, we use a representative Panel and Key Selection Criteria. It is an exciting opportunity for the school I believe. Stay tuned.
With a younger staff profile there are often life highlights to celebrate. Congratulations to Amy Robinson who is having a baby! Amy’s baby is due early in 2020 so she will continue with us for the rest of 2019. Our best wishes go to Amy.
Ms Jenny Irvine is having period of sick leave until the end of the term. We collectively wish Jenny well and eagerly await her return.
The Sponsorship Survey
As we mentioned last newsletter we are seeking opinion on our current Sponsorship policy as it comes into the cycle of review. Your thoughts will be helpful so please take a moment to offer your comment. There are only two questions. This link is https://forms.gle/RFLY9HsM6oZrTaa37
2020 NAPLAN results
We received the school’s NAPLAN results last week. Generally, the trend is one of improvement especially about student learning growth in Reading, Writing and Number. Your individual student NAPLAN results are at the General Office for collection. Can’t get in to get them, then please make arrangements through the Office to have them posted to you. The following is a snapshot of the trends.
Student Learning Growth Year 3-5 for 2019
NAPLAN is a snapshot in time of performance both individual and school, and when we use the analysis data (in the aspects of reading, number, spelling and grammar and punctuation), we can find our areas of strength, and aspects that need additional attention. Sometimes there are discrepancies in results and it is worth a chat to the teacher to see the complete picture of achievement.
Continuous Reporting
The Three/Four (3/4) teachers are trialling Continuous Reporting this Semester. With the provision of devices, and a more personalised approach to the learning sequence which provides feedback in a regular and more immediate cycle, many schools have moved to this more relevant option. Teachers already plan together in their in school time Professional Learning Team, and it is whilst planning that assessment tasks are developed. At the beginning or completion of a task a sample of the student’s learning is captured and assessed either against a rubric or an achievement scale. Such tools provide the student with a description of what has been achieved and what is next. At the end of the year the written report will be a simple one page document with the achievement against the expected levels for the year, and a general comment. Continuous Reporting promotes differentiation and assessment and learning at ‘point of need’. Already there has been evidence provided of learning tasks in Mathematics, and writing with more to be added before the end of this term. The team will be seeking feedback at the end of the first cycle which will be at the end of this term.
Our Team successes
Congratulations to the Athletics Team that performed well at the recent District Athletics Carnival. Good on Logan (200m) and Lachie T (Hurdles) for progressing to the next level. Congratulations also to the Basketball teams that were involved in the Interschool Basketball Competition last week. All played well and improved with each game.
Well that’s about it from me. Until we meet in person, stay warm in this typical September weather!
Sincerely and with gratitude
Kerri Simpson
Principal (Acting at Moonee Ponds West PS)