Tuesday 10th May 2022
Hello everyone,
This morning has been busy with school photographs, NAPLAN and swimming lessons. It has been a real balancing act, but everything went smoothly.
Our Grades 3 and 5 students undertook the Writing task today. They were asked to write a narrative piece about being “Brave”. The writing is assessed by external markers who look for things such as – a clear story line, use of appropriate vocabulary, correct narrative structure (beginning, problem, resolution) audience, appropriate writing, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Tomorrow our Grade 3 and 5 students will do the NAPLAN Reading test. They will each be given a range of different kinds of texts and asked to demonstrate their understanding, word knowledge and their ability to make inferences from what they have read. We try very hard to make the experience as positive as possible, but it does have to be held in strict test conditions and timings. I am really proud of the way all of the children managed the task today.
Congratulations to Amanda Hurren and her team who organised the Mother’s Day Soiree at the Wine Collective. I hope that you all had a wonderful time together. I know that the Fete Committee are meeting regularly and are already working hard for this year’s fete on November 12th. Please mark it on your diary as it has traditionally been an event that every family commits to and takes part in. We REALLY need your help. Over the next couple of months, you will be asked to participate in some way.
I’d also like to ask again for some help with the grounds. In the past we have always used parent help to manage the garden etc and paid qualified tradesmen to do the big jobs. I could employ someone to do the small jobs that are needed in the grounds, but my goal is channel our money towards improved educational outcomes for our students. I just occasionally need an hour of your time to help out a bit. On May 21st the majority of our community will be walking through the school to vote. I want our school to look fabulous and for every member of the community to be proud of it.
Congratulations to all parents. Last week we had every child in the school clear of nits/headlice. In the past it was such a terrible problem in the school, and it caused a lot of stress for parents and children. Go Team!!! Nurse Amy is always available to provide support in this area.
Grade 5/6 camp is on in June. For three days our students will be exploring Melbourne. They will be going to the MCG, The Lume, Eureka Sky Deck, Vic Market, ACMI, the Aquarium and the live musical “Cinderella”. These camps are not cheap as most of the places the students go to require entrance fees and staying in the middle of Melbourne is costly. I am always here to support parents if the cost of the camp is too much for you. We have a payment plan available to help.
We still have small pockets of COVID in the school, so please keep an eye out for symptoms. Unfortunately, yesterday we had 6 staff absent for a variety of reasons. There will be days where I just can’t get enough emergency teachers to cover grades. I will always take a class if I can (teaching is still my favourite thing to do) but there may be times when I have to split a class between other grades. We are lucky that our grades have smaller numbers this year (because of the 6 classes) and I want to assure you that every teacher who is absent leaves a detailed plan of the day’s work for their students. I am loving the sense of normality that is back in the school but understand that there will still be some tough days occasionally.
Have a lovely Autumn week!
Kind regards
Trish