Principal's Report
Welcome Back for Term 4
I trust that all our students had a fantastic holiday break and have come back refreshed and ready for Term 4.
This is an extremely busy time of the year at Concord School. As well as organising staffing and enrolments for 2016 we are preparing for the end of year activities and celebrations such as the Primary and Secondary Graduations and the Christmas Concert. An upcoming date to remember is the Pupil Free Day on Monday 16th November. Please note also that the school is open on Monday 2nd November, the day before the Melbourne Cup Day holiday.
Distribution of School Newsletter
As you will be aware, the school newsletter is now presented in an electronic format and the feedback from members of the school community has been extremely positive. We will continue to distribute the newsletter through our e-mail distribution list, facebook page and website, but will now also send the link to the newsletter as a text message to all mobile phones that are registered with the school.
Through School Council the decision has been made to only distribute the school newsletter through these methods as there are very few parents who do not own a smart phone to receive the newsletter. If you still require a hard copy of the newsletter to be sent home with your child, please contact Deb Whiteway or Julie Nicholson at the Bundoora Campus, and they will arrange this for you.
New School Website
The new school website can be accessed through http://www.concordsch.vic.edu.au/
Having taken six months to construct, the website is extremely functional and attractive. If you have three minutes please check out the professionally produced Discovery Centre film at ‘Explore our Discovery Centre’ on the home page. Your child frequently uses this innovative environment to learn.
School Structure for 2016
Our student enrolment continues to remain steady with 383 students currently enrolled in the school.
A higher enrolment than usual is expected at the start of next year. The Lower Primary (9 classes) and Upper Primary (7 classes), section will have the same number of classes as in 2015. Secondary 9-10 (7 classes) will decrease by one class, Secondary 7-8 (9 classes) will increase by two classes and Secondary 11-12 (7 classes) will increase by one class.
In staffing news, Sarah Abbott (previously Secondary 9-10 Team Leader) is returning from Family Leave in week 3. Sarah will spend week 3 with Christine Pillot and will then take over Christine’s role as Secondary 7-8 Team Leader from week 4. Christine will then take 3 weeks leave before commencing her new ‘Management and Accountability’ role on her return in week 7.
In week 3 Pam Wright will commence as Secondary 9-10 Team Leader and Tim Clarke (current Secondary 9-10 Team Leader) will move to the classroom replacing Katie Lovegrove who was employed in Sarah’s Family Leave position.
Thank you very much to Katie for her work this year.
Front Landscaping
The landscaping to the front of the school has commenced and it is expected to be completed before Cup day. When completed the pathways will be reconfigured and access through the front of the school will be greatly improved. The only entrance at the front of the school will be a newly constructed entrance/pathway leading straight down from the front of the school to the office area. To increase safety and security, the gates within the new fencing outside the Primary Wing and the Gym will only be opened during ‘bus times’ and the gate outside the Discovery Centre will only be used when maintenance to the oval is required.
NDIS
The State Government recently signed a historic bilateral agreement with the Commonwealth, outlining the rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Victoria over the next three years. The bilateral agreement will benefit an estimated 105,000 Victorian. Following the successful Barwon pilot, the NDIS will be rolled out gradually across Victoria over the next three years starting 1st July 2016 in North East Melbourne, including Banyule, Darebin, Nillumbik, Whittlesea, and Yarra.
It is important that parents/carers and families understand the NDIS and how it will impact on the provision of services to your child. Please check out the links below and also put Tuesday 16th February 2016, in your diaries as Concord School will be facilitating an NDIS Information Session from 7pm.
Here is a link to the full Premier’s Announcement with more details:
http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/historic-ndis-agreement-to-improve-the-lives-of-over-100000-victorians
A link to the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) website with details of the full state rollout timeframe:
http://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/our-sites/vic
Engaging Parents in Career Conversations (EPICC)
Concord School had its inaugural Engaging Parents in Career Conversations (EPiCC) on the evening of Tuesday 25th August. This night is to inform families about careers and pathways for their son or daughter and gives them an opportunity to network and ask questions about the process and possible outcomes. It was a successful evening that saw approximately 60 parents of our year 9, 10 and 11 students in attendance. Thank you to Gaynor for organising and running the event and to Annemarie and Tim for assisting in the set up.
Whole School Assembly
A school assembly was held on Monday 7th September to celebrate National Literacy and Numeracy Week. This was the culmination of a week of related activities.
The School Captains delivered an ‘Acknowledgement to Country’, our choir assisted with the National Anthem and our rock band performed a new song ‘Shattered’. As usual, the student performances and presentations demonstrated how much our students achieve by participating in the outstanding teaching and learning programs that are provided for them. There was a mixture of photo stories, videos, demonstrations and dances to keep the large crowd educated and entertained.
As is traditionally the case, I presented an item at the Literacy and Numeracy Week assembly. This year I read the story ‘The Book With No Pictures’.
Father’s Day Breakfast
On Friday 4th September, the Lower Primary celebrated ‘Father’s Day’ by having a special breakfast. I was unable to attend this year but the reports are that once again this was a wonderful occasion where dads and other male family members came along to have breakfast with their child. The staff cooked up a wonderful feast of bacon and eggs and also provided cereals and juices. They also organized special father’s day presents for lucky raffle winners. Thank you to Kath and the team for organising this breakfast.
Principal for a Day Program
Tom Melican, Councillor, Banyule City Council, was Principal for a Day at our school on Tuesday 8th September. The mission of Principal for a Day is to increase and strengthen partnerships between schools and the community. Tom had a tour of both Campuses, met staff and students and was taken to the Loyola Oval where Kirrily explained the importance of Loyola Oval Redevelopment to our school. We sincerely thank Tom for his interest in our school and we look forward to further developing our relationship with Banyule Council.
Wearing of Caps and Hats
With the weather becoming warmer, please remember that only school caps and hats may be worn. Caps ($7) and broad brimmed hats ($10) can be purchased from the school office.
Staff and students in the Primary School are expected to wear hats while outside during terms 1 and 4. Staff and students in the Secondary School are strongly encouraged to wear hats while outside during terms 1 and 4. If it is a day in which UV levels are dangerous, students without official school caps will be directed to play only in designated shade or indoor areas.
Principal's Award
The Principal's report goes to Jack.
This term Jack has worked really hard at becoming an independent writer. He is beginning to use a picture dictionary and class charts to help with his spelling. Jack always tries hard and has a go at new things. He enjoys playing footy with his friends and is disappointed Richmond got knocked out of the finals! Jack has really been enjoying learning about mini-beasts this term and his favourite one is a dung beetle!
Well deserved recipient of the Principal's award Jack!
"Students striving to be the best they can be"
Jason Coningsby
Principal
President’s Message
A School Council meeting was held on Monday 14th September.
The agenda items that were discussed at the meeting were:
· School Review
· Parent Groups and Forums
· School Uniform
· Camp Australia
· Sections/Classes 2016
· Concord School Policies
"Working together for our children"
Mark Lancaster
School Council President