Milgate PS Weekly Newsletter

PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

Milgate Primary School would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land of the Wurundjeri People and we would like to pay our respects to the elders both past and present. Staff, students and the school community understand that we thrive, learn and live on Wurundjeri Country and we stand with all cultures united as one.

WOI WURRUNG FORTNIGHTLY WORD

CULTURAL CALENDAR

 

WHAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK:

JUNIOR SCHOOL COUNCIL FUNDRAISER - PJ DAY

It was fabulous to see on Wednesday so many students and staff looking so comfortable in their pyjamas/ casual clothes.  As a school community we raised $720.00  which will go directly to State Schools’ Relief who assist disadvantaged Victorian students and their families in being able to attend school and receive an education. 

FOUNDATION STORYTIME

Today was our first Foundation Storytime session for 2023. It was wonderful to see so many prospective Foundation students join us in the library, read a story and complete an activity while their parents got to know each other in the staffroom. We look forward to welcoming more students to Storytime in the coming weeks.

PLANNING WEEK

This week, teachers had half a day planning their upcoming units in their teams. They reflected on previous units, analysed data. This Term, we invited a student representative from each class from Year 3 to 6 to attend planning with their teachers and offer their insights into how the units could increase student engagement and connect authentically with their lives. It was a wonderful opportunity for students to use their voice to have an impact on the teaching and learning in their classrooms.

WHAT’S COMING UP:

07 August | CURRICULUM DAY - No students at school on this day. Contact Team Kids if you need to organise care for your child/ren.

10 August | Book Week Author Visit Years 3-6

22 August | Book Week Author Visit Years F-2

23 August | Book Week Parade

 

2023 Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey:

WE WANT OUR PARENTS / CAREGIVERS / GUARDIANS TO TELL US WHAT THEY THINK!

Our school is conducting a survey to find out what parents / caregivers / guardians think of our school. The Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey is an annual survey offered by the Department of Education that is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of families’ perceptions of school climate, student behaviour, and student engagement. The survey is optional but we encourage all families to participate. Our school will use the survey results to help inform and direct future school planning and improvement strategies. All families are invited to participate in the survey.

The Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey will be open from Monday 7 August to Friday 8 September 2023. You will receive a link and code from Monday 07 August on Compass.

The survey will be conducted online, only takes 20 minutes to complete, and can be accessed at any convenient time within the survey period on desktop computers, laptops, tablets or smartphones. The online survey will be available in English and 10 other languages including Arabic, Greek, Hakha Chin, Hindi, Japanese, Punjabi, Simplified Chinese, Somali, Turkish, and Vietnamese. Last year we used the survey results to inform our Annual Implementation Plan. Please speak to your child’s teacher if you would like more information. 

ENVIRONMENTAL MESSAGE

Congratulations to 1MC, 2TE and 6SW for having 8 pieces of trash. They will receive Ernie the earth, our environmental mascot. Thank you to all of the classes for participating in Trash Free July! A big thanks to our environmental representatives that helped to make sure that our school yard was clean. Make sure to keep up the great work and put any rubbish that you see in the yard, into the bin.

-Iris & Jennifer, The Environmental school Captains 

INCLUSIVE CLASSROOMS

Creating a more inclusive classroom environment is crucial for ensuring that all students feel welcomed, valued, and respected. Here are some ways our teacher's foster inclusivity in their classrooms:

  • Get to Know Their Students: Every day, teachers take the time to learn about their students' backgrounds, interests, and learning styles. 
  • Set Clear Expectations: Establish clear expectations for behaviour, respect, and participation in the classroom. They communicate these expectations consistently and enforce them fairly.
  • Use Diverse Teaching Materials: Incorporate diverse teaching materials, such as books, literature, videos, and examples that represent various cultures, races, genders, and abilities. Some excellent books for neurodiversity are: 

‘A Day with No Words’ by Tiffany Hammond and Kate Cosgrove

‘Aaron Slater, Illustrator’ by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts

‘The Brain Forest’ by Sandhya Menon 

Cultivate a Safe Space: Foster an environment where students feel safe to express their opinions, ask questions, and make mistakes without fear of judgement or ridicule.

Encourage Collaboration: Promote group activities and collaborative learning to encourage students to work together and learn from one another's diverse perspectives.

Mindful Language Use: Use inclusive language that respects all students' identities and avoids stereotypes or assumptions based on gender, race, or other factors.

Celebrate Diversity: Acknowledge and celebrate various cultural events, holidays, and traditions within the classroom to promote a sense of belonging for all students.

Provide Differentiated Instruction: Adapt their teaching methods and materials to meet the individual needs of diverse learners, including neurodiverse students or English language learners.

Offer Flexible Seating Arrangements: We allow students to choose seating that best suits their learning preferences, and provide options such as lap desks, cushions, or alternative seating arrangements.

Address Bullying and Harassment: Teachers take a proactive approach to address and prevent bullying or harassment in the classroom, ensuring a safe environment for all students.

Attend Professional Development: This year, we have coordinated professional learning opportunities for teachers around neurodiversity, trauma informed practices, analysis of student wellbeing data and positive behaviour supports.