Principal's Report

Welcome back everyone, including our new families to Syndal South.   I hope you enjoyed the break from school routine and were able to recharge the batteries, ready to launch into Term 3. We have another busy term ahead with an array of learning opportunities and experiences planned that includes the Year 5/6 swimming program that began on Tuesday, our Foundations celebrating their 100 days at school, Science and Book Week celebrations, Aerobic States and National Competitions, and of course lots of learning. We are looking forward to the weeks ahead with great enthusiasm.

Staffing 

We would like to warmly welcome back Miss Ross, Miss Ross is replacing Mrs Mann who is enjoying some Long Service leave this term. We also welcome Mrs Tran who is replacing Miss Dodson while she is taking leave and finally, I would like to welcome and thank Mrs Papadotis who has been replacing Miss Bourke this week in 3B.

Somers Camp

This year primary schools from around our area had their biennial opportunity to send students from Years 5 and 6 to Somers School Camp. It is a nine-day camp, which is quite a commitment to this very special Outdoor Education and Personal Development Program. The camp has both indoor and outdoor activities run by specialist permanent teaching staff with the assistance of nine local teachers who accompany the students to and from the camp. The activities are mainly physical and outdoor and include archery, art, drama, environmental studies, bush cooking, orienteering, bike education, flying fox, bush dancing, and a disco night.  An expression of interest form was sent home early last Term and in response we had six students head off on Tuesday to the camp. I am really looking forward to hearing about their experiences when they return to school next Thursday.

NAPLAN reporting in 2023

This year, the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) has introduced new standards to NAPLAN reporting. Four proficiency standards will replace the previous 10 numerical bands and national minimum standard used in previous years’ reporting:

• Exceeding: the student’s result exceeds expectations at the time of testing.
• Strong: the student’s result meets challenging but reasonable expectations at the time of testing. 
• Developing: the student’s result indicates that they are working towards expectations at the time of testing.
• Needs additional support: the student’s result indicates that they are not achieving the learning outcomes expected at the time of testing. 

From Monday 17th July 2023, the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) will release individual student results in hard copy. We hope to have these sent home by the end of next week.

Enrolments for Foundation 2024 

We are continuing with our popular school tours this term so if you know of anyone in our community considering enrolling for 2024, encourage them to make an appointment to come in for a tour, or collect an enrolment pack from the office or online https://www.syndalsp.vic.edu.au/page/171/Enrolments.

Prep Enrolments for 2024 must be submitted by 11th August 2023.

Pupil Free Day

We will be holding a pupil free day on Friday 18th August. The staff will work be working with Dr Ange Rogers a numeracy consultant to further enhance their knowledge and teaching of Numeracy.

Have a fabulous fortnight everyone.

Helen