From the Principal

We are moving towards the end of this term at a flying pace. As we reach the midway point in November our responsibilities become greater, our accountability is ever more important and our planning for 2020 is well underway. Staff are currently moderating student assessment tasks and are collecting information that supports student progress. There is a great deal of time and effort that goes into reporting and the focus on accuracy and immediacy is paramount. You can rest assured that the report you receive at the end of the year is based on absolute current data that is only a few weeks old.

While we are in the reporting phase, we are also in the process of finalising staffing and student home groups for 2020. Please don’t come and ask staff where they will be or if they can have your child next year. While this is a great compliment, staff actually don’t determine their placement or student group as this is the responsibility of the Leadership Executives on each Campus. There is always a purpose to the staff and student combinations and we appreciate your trust and support in this matter.

As the pressure increases on all of us, this is often the time that we become a little more fragile and little things can play havoc on our minds. Please remember that while we aim to do our very best in handling matters with compassion and sensitivity we aren’t able to always give you the response you may be seeking. You have shown faith in our school by entrusting us with your children and in agreeing to promote a healthy, safe and respectful school community. We are always here to support you and listen to concerns. We look forward to resolving issues collaboratively and with the best possible outcome for your child.

I would like to remind everyone to please be safe when dropping students off in the morning and when picking them up in the afternoon. We encourage parents to use the Coles or Football Club car parks so that you are further away from children leaving the school grounds. Keep in mind that many large cars don’t always see little people running in front of behind them. Near misses are just happening too often and on many occasions this is due to people blocking car parks while idling their cars, particularly on wet days. This is unsafe and has caused some concern. Please show patience at all times.

Finally I would like to encourage our families to attend the Night Under the Stars next Tuesday 19th November. Bring a picnic or support our local community shops by adding a pizza, chicken or fish and chips to your basket. The local stores have been informed of the evening and are looking forward to some extra purchases. Your children will need to be at school by 5:30 pm so that they can get ready in their costumes, please don’t put them under stress by being late. The students will watch the show with their Home Groups until after their performances when you are able to sign your child out so that they can enjoy the end of the evening with you. Patrick and Clare will give you all of the information on the night.

Enjoy the final stretch of the year.

Have a wonderful week.

Marcus