Principal's Update
Angelika Ireland

2021 The Year of our School Review

All schools in Victoria have a four year School Strategic Plan (SSP) that outlines the school focus for improvements in student learning, student well-being and student engagement over that period. Every year, the school is required to develop an Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) based on the Strategic Plan outlining the directions for that particular year.

Our points of focus over the last 4 years have been:

Student Voice
Parents in Partnerships
Numeracy
Literacy
Curiosity
Science

Our SSP period is now finished so we are required to undertake a Pre-Review Self-Evaluation (PRSE) as part of the cycle of continuous improvement. The School self-evaluation is about identifying where a school is on its improvement and development journey, and understanding the impact of its previous efforts. School self-evaluation is an important component of the review process, and will directly inform the review activities by initially highlighting the school's reflection on strengths, progress and areas for improvement.

It provides schools with a process to collect data from diverse sources to inform action for improving student outcomes over the next 4 year period. School reflection and self-evaluation helps identify what is working well, what needs to continue and which areas of the school's work may need to be improved or further developed. It informs decisions relating to priority-setting, initiatives, strategies and actions for improvement. The PRSE leads on to the School Review, then to the writing of a new four year Strategic Plan.

Our aim in the self-evaluation is to engage the school community (students, parents and the School Council) in reflecting on our school's achievements and providing feedback that can be taken into consideration when planning for improvement over the next four years.

As a school will be required to establish a Review Panel. The Review Panel generally consists of an external accredited Reviewer, the School Council President, two Challenge Partners who are external to the school but can contribute to the process utilising their expertise, the school Principal and where required, members of the school leadership team.

Curriculum Day, Friday 26 February - To support our Pre-Review Self-Evaluation we have a Curriculum Day scheduled on Friday, 26 February. Students will not be required at school on that day.

Healthy Eating

Healthy eating has a long-lasting and positive impact on a child’s growth, development and health. Foods eaten by your child at school contribute greatly to their daily nutrient intake. These foods considerably influence their eating habits, growth patterns, energy, concentration levels and ability to learn.

You have an important role to play in helping to ensure your child eats well and stays active.

Food suggestions for lunch boxes

There are lots of food choices available for lunch boxes. However, it can sometimes be difficult to decide which foods are healthy choices. Suggestions include:

Fruit – best choices include fresh or tinned fruit. Dried fruit is sticky and high in sugar, so have it occasionally. Best left out of the lunch box are dried fruit bars and ‘straps’, which are very high in sugar, low in fibre and stick to children’s teeth causing tooth decay.
Vegetables – try vegetable sticks with dip or a small container with mixed vegetables such as cherry tomatoes, carrot sticks, capsicum and cucumber. Chips and packets of crisps are best left for parties and special occasions.
Milk, yoghurt and custard – include a small drink of milk (freeze overnight) wrapped in a cloth in the lunch box. Fruit yoghurts should be kept cool in an insulated lunch box. Best left out of the lunch box are ‘dairy desserts’ and flavoured milks, which are high in sugar.
Dips, cheese and biscuits – pre-packaged or your own homemade versions of cheese and crackers are fine. Children enjoy mini packaged cheeses. Avoid sweet dips such as chocolate spreads. ‘Oven-baked’ savoury biscuits are just as high in salt and fat as chips and are best avoided.
Different breads add interest – include a variety of bread, especially if children begin to lose interest in sandwiches. Try bread rolls, pita bread, flat bread, bagels, fruit loaf or buns, foccacias, scones, pikelets, muffins, crumpets, crispbreads, rice cakes or corn thins.
Vary the fillings – fillings can include vegemite or other yeast extract, peanut butter, cheese (try different types), tuna, egg, sliced cold meats, baked beans, grated carrot and lettuce, chopped roast meat with pickles or chutney, and avocado. Dips like caviar (taramosalata), eggplant, chickpea (hommus), cucumber, yoghurt (tzatziki) or spinach also make good spreads. Avoid chocolate spreads, jams and honey, and fatty meats like salami and strasbourg.
Muffins and cakes – try making your own muffins and cakes as a great way to include more fruit and vegetables. Examples include sultana, carrot, zucchini, banana or pumpkin. Donuts and creamy cakes are best offered at birthdays and special occasions instead of in lunch boxes.
Muesli and ‘breakfast’ bars – almost all ‘bars’ are too high in sugar to include regularly, but cereal bars may be better for teeth than chewy sticky muesli bars. Avoid muesli bars and chocolate bars in lunch boxes. These are expensive and usually stuck together with fats and sugars.

Reference – Better Health Channel

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/lunch-box-tips

School Council Elections 2021 - Parents in Partnership

All schools are required to conduct annual elections for school council during the February/March period.

There are three different categories of members on School Council – Parents, Department (DET) employees and Community Members.

Nominations opened on Thursday 11th February and close on Thursday 18 February. Successful nominations will be announced tomorrow.

Coronavirus Update

We have experienced how restrictions and circumstances can change overnight with COVID19?

We have all learnt how to adapt and go with the flow to keep things safe for our children, our families, our students, our staff.

Please note the following:

MORNING DROP-OFF

Process for dropping off your child remains the same:

Gates will be opened at 8:30am.
There will be a staff member on duty at each school gate.
Parents will not be able to enter the school grounds.
Please note that at 8:55am Foundation parents will be allowed to walk their child to the assembly area for the first 5 days.

AFTERNOON PICK-UP

Some slight changes have been made:

Gates will be opened at 3:30pm.
Parents will not be able to enter the school grounds.
Please arrange with your child/children which gate you are going to meet them at after school.
Siblings of Foundation students are able to meet their brother/sister at the basketball courts for dismissal.
Considering the circumstances, parents are asked not to enter the school grounds either at morning drop-off (except for the Foundation parents for the first 5 days) and afternoon pick-up.
If you have some official business you want dealt with, please ring the office. Most things can be sorted over the phone or on-line.
If you do need to enter the school grounds to go to the office, PLEASE WEAR A FACE MASK AT ALL TIMES, whether in the grounds or at the office.
FACE MASKS ARE MANDATORY.

Meet & Greet - Parents in Partnership

Unfortunately due to COVID lockdown, our face to face Meet and Greet sessions at school did not eventuate this week. They were, however, held as Webex face to face meetings and went smoothly with only minor technical hiccups for some. Feedback from teachers was really positive.

Thank you to everyone for your understanding and co-operation.

Regards