Principal's Report
Dear Parent/Caregivers,
Thank you to everyone who attended the Acquaintance Night and Governing Council AGM. It was pleasing to see so many families take the opportunity to visit classrooms and meet your child’s teachers. The AGM was well attended, giving us the opportunity to present out Annual Report and Site Improvement Plan (SIP). A condensed version of the SIP will soon be sent home to all families, highlighting the strategic directions for the school.
Governing Council Representatives
At our recent AGM and first meeting, we accepted nominations and voted in our new Governing Council team.
I am pleased to announce the following people as our members for 2021.
Staff Rep – Lee Allmond
New Members – Katie Gribble, Tracy Freeman and Rebecca Benfell
Returning Members –Sarah Gentilcore, Sujeeva McLeod, Kirsty Frazer-Sikorski, Peta Jones and Kristina Mallamo.
Our Office Bearers for 2021 are:
Chairperson – Sarah Gentilcore
Deputy Chairperson – Sujeeva McLeod
Treasurer – Kirsty Frazer-Sikorski
Secretary – Kristina Mallamo
It is great to see some new faces and the passion that all members have for our school and the children. If you have any questions regarding school issues, please feel free to approach any of our members.
Young Leaders Ambassadors Announced
Just over a week ago, our Young Leaders Ambassadors were appointed.
I would like to congratulate the following students on their new roles.
Oscar R17 and Sarah R21.
We also have a number of senior students taking on other leadership positions, including Public Relations and school tours, Graduation Committee, Sports Monitors, Environment Officers, Student Mentors, Photographers and Canteen Monitors. Thank you to all of the students who applied for these positions. Each student will receive a badge to acknowledge their important roles in our school.
NAPLAN (Online)
In Weeks 3 & 4 of next term (11th to 21nd May), the NAPLAN Online Tests will take place for students in Years 3, 5, 7 & 9.
The tests will cover Literacy (Language Conventions, Writing and Reading) & Numeracy.
The results gained from the tests provide us with data that we analyse and then use to program appropriately for our students. Our students will be undertaking the testing online.
In certain circumstances, students can be withdrawn or exempted from the tests with parent permission.
Reasons may include: Philosophical or personal reasons; Students with a language other than English who have been in the country for less than 12 months; Students with significant intellectual disability.
If you would like to discuss a possible exemption or withdrawal for your child, or anything else in relation to the tests, please feel free to contact either myself or Leah Koen before the end of this term (9th April).
In the meantime, further information can be accessed at https://www.nap.edu.au/
Students with Disabilities and SSO’s in Classrooms
All students have different learning requirements. Over the first 5 weeks at school, teachers have been working hard to establish positive teacher- student relationships with their class. We have been focusing on creating safe conditions for rigorous learning. As we move through term 1, the focus moves to understanding what students know, can do and understand and designing learning programs to build on their understandings.
SSO’s play a significant role in supporting students and teachers. In 2021 all classrooms have support staff in Literacy lessons, to work with students requiring extra help and/or extension.
Some students with identified disabilities will also receive some extra support to meet their learning goals. Please feel free to make an appointment with your classroom teacher, if you wish to discuss your child’s learning.
Pupil Free Days
Our Pupil Free Days and School Closure for this year are listed below. All schools are entitled to 4 Pupil Free Days and 1 School Closure day. They are:
Term 2: Week 5 Friday - 28th May
Term 2: Week 10 Friday - 2nd July (Last Day of Term)
Term 3: Week 9 Monday - 13th September (School Closure)
Term 4: Week 5 Friday - 12th November
A Pupil Free Day was used at the beginning of the year in week 0.
Reminder
Last day of Term 1, Friday 9th April - 2pm dismissal.
Week 6 Attendance Award
Congratulations to year 7 student Emily from Room 17 on winning our 100% attendance award for weeks 1-6. Emily is the lucky winner of a Boost Juice voucher compliments of Boost Juice.
Drainage Construction Notice – Hughes Street Birkenhead
As part of the 2020/21 Capital Works Programme, Council will be undertaking stormwater works along Hughes St.
Works will commence this week from Fletcher Road and progress along Hughes Street and Close Street.
The works are complex and challenging, and this work is expected to cause some disruption to traffic and conclude by June 2021.
Regards,
Bob Bowden