Welcome to Co-Principal Kate Cohen
Kate will join us from Term 2 in the Co-Principal role. Kate and I will work together with the Executive each Monday. Kate will be the Principal on Thursday and Friday while I am on leave. This arrangement will continue for 2022 when it will be evaluated by DoE and UNSW researcher Ros Dixon. I know you will enjoy meeting Kate as I have done through the merit selection process and visiting the school this week.
Mental Health
You would have heard in the news much about the mental health risks that have arisen during the last two years. For all of us this has been a taxing time to find that the world we thought we knew could change so swiftly and drastically. We should be grateful we are not in the Ukraine and the tragedy that is unfolding there. These events while impacting old and young alike have had a greater effect on younger people and families who perhaps do not have the same historical perspective and experience: families who only remember peace and a prosperous way of life in Australia.
It's good to remember on Harmony Day that there are many families in our school who have not enjoyed such a safe life. Trauma for them has been a way of life and hearing students reflect on the safe haven that RPS has been for them reminds us of how lucky we are. We are thankful that there is such a strong community to support our school and students. Thank you for all those who turned out to support our Harmony Day assemblies: a celebration that "we all belong!"
This year our staff are focused on supporting students:
Literacy and Numeracy are particularly strong targets for our teachers and our children. We know that if the gaps are not addressed effectively and quickly our children will not have the skills for further learning. It's important that we give our teachers the space to do this well. Year 4 and 6 are currently sitting state-wide Check-in assessments and Year 3 and 5 will sit NAPLAN tests in May. These assessments give schools guidance as to where we should be placing our teaching and resources. Teachers have been keen to give you feedback at interviews about your child's progress and how you can support them.
What can parents do: Encourage reading by listening or discussing what is read attentively. Many adults enjoy a good book club and a chance to discuss something you’ve read. Children young and old are no different. In numeracy, focus on its importance in everyday life. Take the time to cook and measure, discuss common things 'I wonder how old you will be when I'm 50?", "I wonder how old you will be when I am double your age?". Making learning real in Literacy and Numeracy is what parents are in the prime position to foster. For older students, have a family competition on Wordle and Nerdle!
This is Strategic Direction 1 in our 2020-24 School Improvement Plan.
Well-being and engagement
We know that we thrive when we’re fully engaged in what we’re doing or learning. Our teachers are working with students, equivalent with their age to discuss goal setting and the feedback that helps them grow in their learning and development. Students are engaged with their teachers in looking at their results in Literacy and Numeracy to set meaningful goals, also in relation to their personal and social development.
We will start the Grow your Mind program in Term 2, giving students skills in developing resilience and independence. Watch out for the parent session coming up next term so that you can reinforce the terminology and ideas at home.
We've also noted that many children have lost their ability to just play: imaginative games, simple ball games and just "hanging out" with friends, particularly our younger students. Teachers and support staff have planned additional playground activities to help them practice and our Year 5's have been helping out.
What can parents do: Talk to your children daily about the positive things in their life, listen to their concerns and teach them how these can be managed. Show confidence in your child to manage their daily lives rather than a quick fix or swooping in to rescue. Encourage playing in an unstructured way in the park or yard and try not to fill every moment with activities or electronic devices. Simple board and card games encourage sharing, cooperation and learning to both win and lose gracefully. Jigsaws challenge the brain and provide a talking time if shared together.
This is Strategic Direction 2 in our School Improvement Plan.
Teacher professional learning
Our teachers are our most valuable asset at Randwick and their strength is in their diversity. We should not expect that each year's class will be the same as the previous; that's part of learning about life. I know that all my teachers are excellent educators and caring people. But remember there is one teacher for 20 to 30 students. By all means ask them questions but show respect by assuming they are only trying to do the best for all children in their class and need the time to do so. Unless you have a family of 20 children - understanding the teacher's role today is a tough one.
The shortage of teachers is the worst I've known since I started as a 19 year old teacher with a class of 46 Kindergarten students. Some students who had not turned 5 were told to go away until they did. Imagine the outcry today! There was not a lot of time to cater for individual difference either.
Our teachers are engaged in professional learning on a weekly basis. K-2 teachers are currently learning about the new Literacy and Numeracy curricula and adapting their teaching to meet changing needs. Year 4 to 6 teachers have spent considerable time adapting to the Maths Pathway program which fosters individual progress and achievement regardless of grade level. All staff spent a term last year and several subsequent sessions in 2022 learning about and adjusting programs to meet the individual needs of all students and in particular our high performing students.
What can parents do?
Be mindful that our teachers are passionate about their students and the work they do but remember our teachers have to go home and do the same things you do everyday and care for their families and loved ones. Be respectful of their time.
Investing in our People is Strategic Direction 3 in our School Improvement Plan.
COVID UPDATE
There are quite a few COVID cases in all schools in both students and staff. The settings remain the same for the term with positive cases isolating for 7 days from a Positive test and household contacts must also isolate for seven days. This along with the overall teacher shortage means that casuals are very hard to obtain. The Department has a central booking system where we log the absence, often a short notice and a teacher is assigned. In better times we have some choice and may be able to book a person for the 7 days but at present we're not even able to fill every class and hence have been having to rotate the classes that are split. Where your child has a casual teacher and you need to pass on information please email the Grade leader/Assistant Principal or email the school.
Regards
Susan Allen, Principal