Principal's Report
Respectful Relationships
The Department of Education and Training is currently producing a suite of video content to support the Respectful Relationships initiative. Specifically, they are seeking to create resources which will assist in teaching Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships (RRRR) topics 7 & 8.
We were fortunate enough to be selected to support their work. I hope to be able to share these videos once they are complete.
NAPLAN Results
As mentioned in the last newsletter, the National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) results were released recently.
The 2022 Year 3 and 5 NAPLAN results for Spring Gully Primary School are set out below. The results were generally excellent in the Year 3 and 5 cohort.
The two tables below set out the % of students who achieved results in the top 2 NAPLAN student band categories. To enable our results to be effectively compared, I have them alongside the State %, Similar School % and Bendigo Network % for 2022. The bands relate to the National Assessment Program Scaled Score.
YEAR 3 STUDENTS - % TOP 2 BANDS
SGPS | Similar Schools | Bendigo Network | State | |
| Reading | 59% | 62% | 50% | 58% |
| Writing | 55% | 51% | 42% | 52% |
| Spelling | 46% | 43% | 39% | 49% |
| Grammar & Punctuation | 57% | 56% | 45% | 54% |
| Numeracy | 56% | 40% | 33% | 39% |
YEAR 5 STUDENTS - % TOP 2 BANDS
SGPS | Similar Schools | Bendigo Network | State | |
| Reading | 43% | 45% | 38% | 44% |
| Writing | 36% | 23% | 24% | 29% |
| Spelling | 42% | 31% | 33% | 37% |
| Grammar & Punctuation | 43% | 28% | 26% | 32% |
| Numeracy | 43% | 24% | 21% | 27% |
Another way of judging a school’s performance is provided via the Relative Growth Report. This report shows the level of growth for each student relative to similar ability students and enables a school to make more informed judgements about a student’s progress between testing periods. Unfortunately this report is not available this year due to the pandemic-related cancellation of NAPLAN testing in 2020.
Newsletter - Email Subscription
I know that all families receive a notification in their Compass News Feed when the newsletter is released, however, you (or your family members) also have the option to 'subscribe' to the newsletter. To do this, please scroll to the bottom of any page of the newsletter, click on 'subscribe' and fill in your details i.e. name and email address.
School Gardens
I wanted to take the opportunity to acknowledge the wonderful work of our gardener, Tanya. Our gardens look great and always receive compliments from visitors to our school. In fact, during our recent curriculum day the consultant said that it was the most beautiful school he has been to and it should be the benchmark for all primary schools.
COVID-19 Isolation Changes
As per Department of Education & Training any advice, any student or staff member who tests positive to COVID-19 must now isolate for a minimum of 5 days instead of 7. If they are asymptomatic, they may return to school on day 6. If they are symptomatic, they must remain in isolation until day 7. If they have symptoms after 7 days, they are strongly advised to stay home until their symptoms have resolved.
As an additional risk mitigation, the Department of Health strongly recommends that those leaving isolation wear a face mask when away from home, both indoors and outdoors, and when they cannot physically distance. Those leaving isolation on day 6 should wear a mask for 5 days but particularly the first 2 days. Those leaving isolation on day 7 should wear a mask for 4 days but particularly the first 2 days.
Congratulations Sam!
I would like to congratulate Sam on his recent teaching appointment at Kerang Technical High School. Sam has been a wonderful Education Support teacher of us this year, performing a number of roles across our school. I'm sure this will be the start of a long and successful career.
Mr Daenke Returns
Mr Daenke has had a great holiday and is scheduled to return to Australia in the coming days. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Dunstone and Mrs Purcell for the wonderful support they have provided Grade 3/4 Daenke during Term 3.
Early School Finish End of Term
Term 3 concludes on Friday 16th September. Students will be dismissed at 2.15pm. An assembly is scheduled for 1.50pm and students will be dismissed from there. Term 4 commences on Monday, 3rd October.
Happy Holidays
I'd thank all families and staff for their continued support of the school. I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable holiday and I look forward to seeing you safely back next term.