Beach Buzz Palm Beach State School

Principal's Patch

Dear Parents 

As we all are aware, communication between school and home is not easy to ensure effectiveness, particularly when relying on primary school aged children, but as in life, relationships are a two way process and schools and parents rely equally on one another to ensure the effectiveness of this.   

Through computers, and over recent years with the rise of smart phones, we are all able to readily communicate electronically and able to be in constant touch 24/7 with email, social media, and the many other apps and devices. At PBSS we are constantly reflecting on our practices to keep improving these methods and will continue to ‘tap’ into this form of communication, including our successful Facebook page.

 

Please LIKE us on Facebook  if you haven’t yet done so!                                                                                                

This year our office staff have certainly noticed the value of email and how much this has improved communication, demands on their time, the reduced number of parents asking for replacement notes that disappear into the depths of school bags and therefore cost effectiveness!  

Additionally, for many years we have wondered how many parents actually take the time to read the newsletter as a considerable amount of time and money is spent on its publication each fortnight. Our recent e newsletter provides us with this data about the number of emails read etc and we are certainly hope that the reading of this main source of information continues to improve. Other data showed that 77% of you accessed the newsletter on your smartphone and that it was read   a total of 350 times. I’m guessing it’s handy to access on your phone at after school commitments, or when you’ve hit the lounge after the busy days we all seem to have these days. Thank you to each of you who take the time to read the Beach Buzz each fortnight!

RESOLVING ISSUES RESPECTFULLY AT SCHOOL

 

As a principal, ‘communication’ between all stakeholders … teachers to students, students to teachers, teachers to parents, parents to teachers etc  is a word where I espouse the importance of its need to be positive, honest, respectful and timely. Recently, the Department of Education and Training (DET) have published posters and information for parents about resolving issues respectfully at school.

 

 

PBSS is a very positive and supportive school, and whilst there are at times issues that invariably arise in any complex organisation such as a school, the vast majority of issues at PBSS are conducted very respectfully with all stakeholders. However, to further clarify the DET and PBSS communication processes I urge you to read the publication in the link below as it also explains the importance of parents making contact with their child’s teacher as the first point of contact for academic or social issues. This has also been sent in a paper copy with the youngest child in each family.

http://education.qld.gov.au/schools/pdfs/resolving-issues-school-fact-sheet.pdf

PARENT /TEACHER INTERVIEWS

 

Face to face communication is equally important. As mentioned, this  week the Parent/Student/ Teacher interviews are on. The purpose of these interviews is to provide time for parents and teachers to discuss how your child is settling into the school year and any other wellbeing matters that should be shared so that your child has the  best educational experience possible, and as we expect at PBSS ... That each child is achieving their personal best.  These respectful conversations between home and school are critical for your child to accomplish this. A reminder to  bring your child to the interview as it is intended to be a 3 way conversation. Please contact your child’s teacher if you have not yet arranged a time to meet. 

FACILITIES SURVEY

 

As with all communication in 2017 to year levels or the whole school, we are providing this in both paper and electronic form.  Two weeks ago we did this for a facilities survey to gauge parent opinions about ideas for future improvements. I also took the advantage to obtain feedback on current initiatives. Thank you to those that returned the survey. 

When reading through the feedback and suggestions in the survey it was important to reflect on what the recurring points were. It was also interesting to note that frequently what one person thought was positive, another person had the opposite opinion. This reiterated my thoughts that I mentioned in an earlier newsletter this year where I explained that I constantly use a ‘big picture’ hat when assessing the impact of every decision made in the school for the good of the majority and how difficult it is to satisfy everyone.

Below is a summary of the recurring main points from the survey:-

Curriculum, Classroom and Learning

Positive Feedback

  1. Journey groups
  2. Dojos as a communication app
  3. Instrumental music program – strings and band
  4. The range of extra-curricular  activities
  5. Improvements in school communication

Suggestions

  1. All teachers to use Dojo app
  2. Parents to be informed of individuals receiving class or major award on assembly so they can attend
  3. STEM focus for PBSS

Facilities

Positive Feedback

  1. Amazing upgrades and school facelift over the last two years, including signage

Suggestions

  1. Playground additions
  2. Air conditioning in the hall / classrooms
  3. Afternoon pick up and carparks, including crossings
  4. Cold water to be available for students
  5. Added footpaths in a variety of areas

 I am thrilled to say that planning for some of these suggestions had already commenced and will be a reality in the coming months. As for the other suggestions, the school and P&C will work closely together to make a priority list for future fundraising and targeting of funds.  

MESSAGES THROUGH THE OFFICE

Finally, I would like to address the communication between parents and their children about pick up and after school details as our friendly and helpful office staff are currently being inundated with these types of calls from 2.30pm each day. Could parents please spend a few minutes each morning confirming afternoon pick up details with their child. Please note that last minute phone calls through the office  to pass on messages to children about pick up details should only be for emergencies.  Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. 

 

Kind regards

Sandra Thompson

Principal