Principal's Message

Welcome back to another term. It is difficult to believe that we are at the end of Week 1 of Term 3. The students have gotten back into the swing of things and they are certainly excited for our upcoming excursion to Scienceworks. It has also been terrific to see all the parents in the school for our Parent/Teacher Interviews which continue next week. 

Social Skills Groups

This term we are providing a social skills program for our students in Prep - 3, led by the experienced occupational therapists from RiverRun. At the core of these workshops is a strong emphasis on understanding ourselves and connecting with others. Our students will have the opportunity to develop essential skills that will empower them to navigate social interactions with confidence.

The program will explore various areas, encompassing self-awareness, effective communication, empathy, conflict resolution, and boundary setting. By focusing on these crucial aspects, we aim to equip our students with the necessary tools to help them thrive in their social circles.

Building Works

I have an update on the building works that took place over the holidays, ensuring our students have a safe and comfortable learning environment. Our Junior Room has undergone a significant transformation. The building has been restumped, ensuring its stability and longevity. We are delighted to see this improvement as it has been a long time coming. Our library has also received some well-deserved attention. The library has been restumped as well, addressing any previous damage to the external wall.  We are just waiting for them to come back to concrete our pathway.

From next week, we will also have arborists at the school maintaining our trees on the school grounds. 

Year 6 Art Project

Our Year 6 students participated in an art showcase where the prompt was "What's in Your Emotional Backpack". This is a wonderful opportunity for the Year 6 students to delve into their emotions, exploring what they carry within their backpacks. They looked at the upcoming transition to secondary school experience to detail their emotions with that. The students decided on a style they wanted to do and got to work with the art now being displayed at an event at Gisborne Secondary College. 

Whole School Celebration

As we bid farewell to Term 2, we had a whole school celebration day that brought us all together. It was a very memorable day. 

To kick off the day on a relaxed note, we gathered in our classrooms for a movie session. With cozy blankets and pillows, students watched a movie they all voted on. We soon shifted gears and jumped into a series of party games. The students were excellent at making sure everyone got a go during pass-the-parcel. My favourite party game was the "Picking Up Doggy Doo" game. It sounds better than it reads. 

After working up a sweat with our energetic games, it was time to turn up the music and hit the dance floor. Everyone got moving and grooving. We played more games, adding extra fun to the disco atmosphere. As student's appetites were worked up the aroma of the party food filled the air as we gathered around the tables to savor the delicious creations made by our talented Prep/1 students. 

A massive shoutout goes to our helpers who made this whole school celebration day a resounding success. As we reflect on this memorable day, we are reminded of the incredible spirit and collaboration that defines our school community. 

Curriculum Day - Staff Learning

We recently had a productive Curriculum Day that revolved around one common goal: focusing on our students and their unique learning needs. It was an incredible opportunity for us to come together, share experiences, learn from one another, and set the stage for a successful Term 3. 

To kick off the day, we started with an activity that allowed each staff member to share their holiday experiences. Then we reflected on the achievements and challenges of Term 2 while setting our sights on the possibilities of Term 3. We used visual cards to express all of these thoughts. 

As part of our commitment to continuous growth, we were fortunate to have a specialist teacher, Bianca Pratt, join us. This expert, with extensive experience in teaching students diagnosed with autism, provided us with invaluable professional learning. We delved into strategies, resources, and best practices to ensure that we are equipped to support every student on their unique learning journey.

We believe a happy school environment is vital for our students' well-being and academic success. With this in mind, a significant portion of our day was dedicated to developing student expectations and procedures. We worked collaboratively to create a positive and inclusive atmosphere, where every student feels safe, valued, and empowered. By establishing clear guidelines, we aim to maximize happiness and foster a sense of belonging within our school community. We will share these developed expectations with you in the next newsletter.

NAPLAN Results

In preparation for the release of the NAPLAN results on Monday, July 17, 2023, I would like to inform you about some significant changes to this year's reporting. These changes have been implemented nationwide by the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA).

The NAPLAN assessment will continue its measurement of student achievement in numeracy, reading, writing, spelling, and grammar & punctuation. However, the results will now be presented in a more comprehensive format, consisting of four distinct proficiency levels:

1. Exceeding
2. Strong
3. Developing
4. Needs additional support

This revised approach will offer schools, parents, and caregivers clearer insights into student achievement, providing detailed information within the context of these new proficiency levels.

NAPLAN reports will continue to showcase students' progress in relation to their peers, while also serving as an indication of their skill levels in comparison to national averages and the expected educational benchmarks. This information is invaluable to teachers as it guides them in providing ongoing support to ensure optimal learning experiences for your child.

While each set of NAPLAN results represents an important milestone, it is crucial for students to understand that these outcomes do not define them. The purpose of these results is to ensure that every student receives the necessary support to maximise their educational journey and reach their full potential.

When you receive your child's NAPLAN results, you will also receive a comprehensive explanation of the new proficiency levels, providing you with a deeper understanding of their significance. I highly encourage you to engage in conversation with your child's teacher if you have any inquiries regarding these changes or your child's results.

Book Week 

Book Week is fast approaching and we will have more information soon about what we are planning to do for the special week commencing Monday 19th of August. 

Sunday Afternoon Tea Dance

On the 25th of June, Zac and Jake's grandparents organised an Afternoon Tea Dance at the Romsey Mechanics Institute to raise funds for our beautiful school. 

First and foremost, a huge shoutout goes to Zac and Jake's grandparents. I also want to thank Kylie, Andrew, Mary, Krystal, and Chelsea for their assistance on the day. And of course, thank you to everyone who attended and supported this event. 

Thanks to the tremendous efforts of our organizers, volunteers, and the overwhelming support from our attendees, they successfully raised a whopping $350 for our school. 

Portable Basketball Ring & Backboard System

Over the holidays, we purchased a portable basketball ring for our younger students to use. During our basketball coaching sessions, we found that they were not able to use the basketball ring outside the school. I am putting the call out for a family to come and put the system together so that our students can begin using it. I'm sure there's plenty of experience out there in our community for putting these things together. If you're able to help, please let me know. 

Welcome to Donna

This term, we are welcoming Donna Sparks to the Bolinda team. Donna has been completing her training in education support and has been at Bolinda as part of her placement. However, she will now be with us for Term 3 on Monday and Tuesday, supporting students in the school. If you see Donna in the yard, make sure you say "hi" to her. 

Jordan Chamerski

Principal