Principal  Message

Dear parents/guardians,

I am very pleased to be able to give you information regarding our 2023 class structure. Since the update I gave several weeks ago, our enrolments have continued to grow in all levels.  To date, we have 183 enrolments for 2023 and we are confident that more enrolments will be made before the end of the year.  The increase in numbers is welcomed but the configuration of the numbers in each year level has caused us to have to consider a number of scenarios and possibilities. The decisions we make must be financially viable but also offer the best possible outcome for our students

Below you will see the configuration for 2023 and an explanation of the thinking behind our decision and the strategic direction the School Council and I see the school heading.

2023 Grade Structures:

We have 27 Preps on the books now, with a good chance of additional enrolments.  Even at 27/28, we cannot run a class at this size in Prep.  We considered the possibility of putting an Aide in the room to support them, but this would not be sufficient to support our youngest students. As such we are going to run 2 small prep classes which will give these students the best start to their schooling.  We will also be able to take any additional enrolments that come up in Prep using this model.

The numbers in Grades 1-3 have also climbed and the configuration with 2 classes of 1/2 composites would mean class sizes of 27. This is also well above the recommended 22 for junior classes. We also know that some of student's in next year’s 1/2 cohort are still adapting to school routines.  Therefore, it has been decided to run 3 composites of 1/2 with sizes of 17- 18. Again, a strong start in early years Literacy & Numeracy will give our students the foundation they need to succeed throughout the rest of their schooling and beyond. 

We will run a straight Grade 3 (24), and a straight Grade 6 (22).  Our Grade 4’s and 5’s will be split across 2 composite classes.  The 4/5 composite does have the largest numbers (27/28) but we will ensure the class is supported.   There will be additional support in these classrooms with Education Support Staff and, additional small group intervention for students who participate in Claire’s Tutor Learning Program.

We considered 5/6 composites and a straight Grade 4, but the teachers and I feel next year’s Grade 4’s will benefit considerably by working alongside next year's Grade 5’s. Our Grade 4 class next year has had the biggest jump in enrolments from 14 at the start of this year to 21 next year. With still only 4 girls in the level, it is important these girls also have opportunities to expand their friendship groups if they want to. We were never able to run a straight Grade 5 next year, with 35 students in that level. Our Grade 5's next year have had 2 years with the cohort above them, and a change to being the older of the two levels in a class will suit this group of students well.

Specialist Classes being run by Specialists teachers for 2023

You will notice an addition to our Specialist Program. We also commit to our Auslan program, by once again including LOTE (Language Other Than English) as part of our specialists’ program. Your child will receive instruction for one hour a week in an Auslan class.  This year we trialed the introduction of Auslan in the classroom to gauge the student’s engagement in this language and we had a very positive response from all our students. However, in order to embed this language in our school we need to allocate a specialist teacher to run this program alongside Art, Performing Arts and PE.

I am also pleased to announce that Kirsty Wolters will be taking Auslan at WPS in addition to her Performing Arts role. Lessons will take place in the music room, which she will convert into a shared LOTE/Music space.  Kirsty is also participating in an Auslan course as part of her preparation. I have no doubt the profile of Auslan in our school will increase significantly with her running the show. 

It is an exciting time for the school as we will move from 7 classes to 9. Teacher allocation to specific classes and where the additional classrooms will be is still being finalised. We are currently recruiting, which does take time to go through the process correctly.

The decisions made are open and transparent as I consult with staff and the School Council about all the options on the table. We have committed to smaller class sizes in the early years with the understanding that budgets will be tight next year for us. Our commitment to our students and their education is cemented in this decision and we ask that you continue to support our school through the payment of voluntary payments and supporting FOWPS fundraising so that we can run programs such as Art and Performing Arts at the high standard we currently do.  You will receive the 2023 voluntary payment information via Compass early next week. 

This year we have had a huge surge in enrolments, with the increase being more than 20% from the beginning of the year.  If we are to assume that enrolments throughout 2023 will continue to increase, this class structure will support us to take more enrolments mid-year.  I hope you will join me in celebrating the success of 2022 at Warrandyte Primary School. There is still a great deal of work to be done, but our staff and School Council are very excited about the increase in classes as we reverse past trends and demonstrate to the broader community that the WPS community is proud of their school and the focus it has on their student's needs above all else.

Have a great weekend.

Nieta