Dear Families,
Welcome back to the 2020 school year. I hope that you had the opportunity to spend quality time with your children, family and friends over the past 6 weeks.
We are looking forward to another very exciting year. It is important that we work in a partnership with you, the families. If you have any issues or concerns, please make contact with the classroom teacher in the first instance.
We look forward to a rewarding and fun year.
Staff News
I would like to officially welcome our new staff for 2020.
They are:
· Michaela Lappin - Room 5a
· Alyce Gardner - Room 17
· Cameron Milne - STEM
· Victoria Campbell – Rooms 16 & 26
I would also like to welcome back the following staff:
· Sophia Raptis – Room 3
· Ivana Coro – Room 3
· Karla Santoro – Room 10
· Chelsea Bernardi – Room 10
I would also like to congratulate Jess Knycz on her recent marriage and Karla Santoro on her engagement.
Success & Learning
During the first week of school, teachers will be talking to the children about code of conduct, expectations and setting up safe and positive learning environments. This is an extremely important time as it will set the tone throughout the school and set the children up for success for the remainder of the year.
In 2020, our priorities will continue to be Reading, Writing and Numeracy.
Acquaintance Night & AGM
Our Acquaintance Night and the AGM are on Monday 10th February (Week 3). Information on Acquaintance Night will follow shortly. The Acquaintance night gives families the opportunity to formally meet the class teacher as well as gain an insight into teacher expectations and classroom practices.
We are looking for some new members for Governing Council this year. Being on Council gives you the opportunity to learn more about the school and to be involved in decision making about the direction of the school. Governing Council meet twice a term on Monday nights (Weeks 3 & 8) for no more than 2 hours.
Please note that we do have a maximum number of members that can be on Council.
If you are interested, a Nomination Form can be collected from the front office and will need to be returned prior to the AGM.
Levelled Behaviour Scheme (LBS)
Our behaviour Levels will continue this year. The concept is very much about catching the children doing the right thing and being recognised for that behaviour. We are moving beyond focusing on reacting to poor behaviours to placing an emphasis on those children who behave appropriately.
In Years 3 – 7 there will be 4 levels of behaviour.
Level 1 – children are told who they sit next to and where they sit
Level 2 – children are told where they have to sit but have choice around whom they work with
Level 3 – children choose where they sit and whom they work with but must work inside the room
Level 4 – children get the extra privilege of working outside where appropriate
It is regarded as a major achievement to reach Level 4.
Moving from Level 1 up to Level 2 is relatively easy and moving from Level 2 up to Level 3 is more difficult.
Moving from Level 3 up to Level 4 requires sustained high-level standards of behaviour. This year, teachers will be very conscious of moving children much quicker between levels (both up and down), in order to instil a level of resilience in our students. Our Primary classes will also have their level re-set to Level 2 every 3 weeks.
Junior Primary children only have 3 Levels and all children start each week on Level 2, with the aim being to reach Level 3. Children’s behaviour levels will have a major bearing on their participation in camps, excursions and visiting performances.
Class teachers will spend time this week teaching the children about the behaviour required to reach upper levels.
Our focus is to ensure our students are recognised and acknowledged for doing the right thing.
Yard A works
As you have no doubt noticed, the works in Yard A are behind schedule but are expected to be finished early in Week 3 (weather permitting). The outcome will be state of the art surfacing in vibrant colours with 2 basketball / netball courts, 10 handball courts, 2 full-size volleyball courts and one modified volleyball court. The basketball/netball courts will include the latest posts and nets/boards.
It will be worth the wait!!!!
Assemblies / Newsletters
This year, assemblies will occur every 3 weeks on Fridays. This year, assemblies and newsletters will occur in Weeks 2, 5 & 8, with a final assembly on the last day of each term.
Coronavirus Information
The latest advice from our Education Standards Board is that if any students have travelled to mainland China and especially Hubei Province should monitor themselves for the 14 days from their departure from mainland China for symptoms of coronavirus.
The latest advice is available on the Australian Government Department of Health website: https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov
Regards Mike
