Principal Team's Report

Enjoy the Break

Holidays are upon us and as we all look to take a well-earned rest from a challenging term, we want to congratulate everyone for their efforts in remote learning. 

End of Term Assembly

What an amazing job our Student Leaders did this morning in planning and running the assembly.  These students used their own time to plan, meet and practise the assembly before presenting to the whole school.  It really talks volumes about their character.  In Term 4, student leaders will again have the opportunity to run the assembly.  At Pakenham Springs Primary school we value student voice and agency and these small changes and created opportunities highlight just what our students are capable of.  Well done to School Captains Jude and Janay, Vice School Captain Callan, and Community Ambassadors, Maddie, Chloe and Lillie.

Term 3 Learning

Students, well done on your persistence and resilience when once again working in an interrupted term.  Adapting to remote learning has been tricky for everyone, and your teachers have greatly admired your positive attitudes and the effort you have shown in your work.  Be good to yourselves, your siblings and your parents/carers always, but especially over these next few weeks.  Make sure you are getting exercise, having as much fun as you can and being kind.  We look forward to seeing your smiling faces after the break.

Parents and carers, thank you so much for everything you have been doing to support your child in their learning.  From having routines and setting expectations, to checking in with your child to manage and pace their work (let alone becoming overnight computer technicians) - we greatly appreciate you. 

2022 Planning

Planning for the 2022 school year is well underway.  Thank you to the families who have let us know if they are intending to leave or have new enrolments.   Our Prep numbers are very important as we employ staff.  Please let us know if you know of an enrolment that isn't on our books yet.

Next term the leadership team will be advertising for teachers and completing our structure for 2022.  Teachers will be working on class placements.  If you have a request for us to consider when placing students in a class, please submit in writing with the educational reasons by Friday 8th October 2021.

NAPLAN

Individual student Naplan reports are now on Compass.  If you have a student in Year 3 or 5 please log into Compass and you will find them with previous reports.  The hard copies will be given to students once we return from remote learning. 

Holiday Fun

Over the next few weeks, a range of online events will be taking place which might provide a bit of colour to the holidays for those who are interested. 

The Victoria Nature Festival is running from the 11th -26th of September and boasts more than 80 virtual events and experiences allowing children to connect with nature whilst at home.  The website also offers a great range of engaging digital resources, videos, virtual excursions and webinars for students of all ages.

Highlights include: (click the links)

• Phillip Island virtual penguin parade
• Virtual meditation in the Royal Botanic Gardens
• Digital resources that support year three to six teachers to embed nature-based learning in the classroom
• An online nature seminar
• Zoos Victoria’s Animals at Home.

Check out the full website for more details:

https://www.together.vic.gov.au/victoria-nature-festival

Victoria's Big Build

A collection of educational activities and opportunities based around the road and rail projects of Victoria’s Big Build are now available for students and teachers on FUSE.

Students can explore and connect with the Big Build projects in ways that will capture their imagination and creativity through science, technology, design, arts, mathematics and history.  They can also explore future career opportunities in the Big Build projects.

Some of the activities on offer include:

• Minecraft Mini Melbourne — exploring a scaled model of Melbourne in Minecraft Education Edition
• Metro Tunnel Mastermind — learning about construction and tunnel boring machines through games and activities
• Regional Rail Revival — playing railway activities and games online.  Suitable for primary school students

To access the activities and resources, refer to the Big Build FUSE page.

Have a safe and happy break, everyone.

The Principal Team at PSPS