Welcome back to Term 4. We are looking forward to a positive and busy term ahead, with many important activities and events occurring, including: transition days (for both yr 6s moving to high school and new reception students starting at our school next year), yr 6 Graduation, SAPSASA sport, swimming lessons and our end of year celebration. Details for these events will be shared with the community once planning has been finalised.
Our Year 6 students returned home last Friday from their trip to Woodhouse Activity Centre and it was an enjoyable experience for our students who had the opportunity to participate in a variety of fun and engaging activities. It was also great to hear many positive comments about how well behaved and collaborative our students were. A special thanks to Tracey Buckley and Neil Wuttke who coordinated the camp and other staff members for assisting. Our parent helpers also provided fantastic support.
Congratulations to our Tournament of the Minds team who, on the weekend prior to the start of term, travelled to Canberra to compete in the national competition. The team did very well, achieving second place. Our team, composed of Grace, Lulu, Ethan, Athan, Sophie and Amelia, represented our school in an exceptional manner and are to be commended on their efforts. Thank you to Neil Wuttke and Tracey Buckley who accompanied the students and also to the parents who also made the trip.
World Teachers Day
Friday is World Teachers Day and is an opportunity to acknowledge the important role teachers have in our community. Like many occupations in recent years, teachers have encountered challenging circumstances brought about by the presence of COVID-19, however they have always kept the needs of the students central to their work. Thank you to all of our teachers for their ongoing commitment and efforts.
Staffing Update
This term Fred Peters has returned to his teaching role in the year 4 classroom; thank you to Tracy Marks and Grant Perelman for taking the class last term. Louise Faulkner will be continuing her leave this term which will mean that the arrangements in place for term 3 will continue (Michael Boere: Wellbeing, Kylie Cook-Gagnon: Early years literacy and Alecia Cailes: Special Education). Louise’s role was a 12 month position meaning she won’t be working at our school next year. In the short time Louise was with us she made a strong contribution to our school community and we wish her all the best.
In regards to future staffing arrangements, Aileen Clancy’s position as Assistant Principal has been extended for a further 2 years. Over the past 3 years Aileen has made a strong contribution to the school’s teaching and learning priorities and organisational perspectives and the extension of her tenure will support continuity in these areas.
In canteen news, Julie Stamatialis will be retiring from her position as canteen manager on Friday November 11. Julie has managed the canteen for 17 years and has overseen lots of changes in this area and been strongly committed to providing this service to the school community. One of the key developments that Julie has contributed to is the provision of a menu that has an emphasis on food items being prepared and cooked by the canteen team. On behalf of the community, we thank Julie for her commitment and efforts.
2023 Class Planning
Based on predicted enrolments for next year, we expect to have 14 mainstream classes along with our Junior Primary Special Options class. From the beginning of this term, our school will be starting the process of student placement in classrooms for 2023. Due to grade level cohort numbers it is anticipated that the mainstream classes will be a mixture of single year level and composite year levels. There are a range of factors that inform the placement process including learner achievement, work habits, behaviour, gender and social and emotional needs. The goal is to create classes that have a balanced profile across all of these perspectives. Families of children in a composite class may have queries about how their child’s learning and social needs are met in these arrangements; a question and answer section that has been provided below that provides further information about this area.
If parents/caregivers believe they have information, based on educational needs, which will help in your child’s placement, please put this information in a letter addressed to the Principal, marked ‘Confidential’. All requests need to be received, in writing, by Monday 7th November. Please be aware that this process is not about selecting teachers for your child but rather providing information for the school to consider. We cannot promise that every request will be met, however, all information will be taken into consideration. Alternatively, if your child will not be attending Henley Beach next year, please inform their teacher or the front office.
Composite Class Frequently Asked Questions
Why do schools have composite classes?
Composite classes are a practical solution to managing the varied enrolment numbers at each year level through balancing the available levels of resourcing to create classes that are within Department for Education’s recommended class sizes. Some schools actually create composite classes, even when they don’t need to, for the educational, social and emotional benefit of children.
Are there any advantages or disadvantages for a child in a composite class?
Research confirms that there is no academic disadvantage for children placed in a composite class. Successful learning is less dependent on organisational strategies (such as composite or single year levels) than on the quality of the teaching and instructional practices. Older children in a composite class can develop maturity and consolidate their learning by being role models and peer tutors for the younger children in the class. The younger children can develop more rapidly by having these interactions with older children. Schools will strive to organise opportunities for children in a composite class to mix with their same age peers in formal and informal learning and play situations.
How does the teacher of a composite class cater for the needs of children over such a range of ages?
All teachers have to cater for a range of ages and abilities of the children in their class. Within a single year level the academic age range of students can be up to 18 months – 2 years. Planning and programming is based on the Australian Curriculum achievement standard for the grade levels within the class. Further to this, teachers of the same year levels will collaboratively plan the majority of curriculum areas to ensure consistency across classrooms.
How are composite classes formed?
Some parents/carers may have the view that their child has been placed in a composite class due to concerns around their learning – this is not the case. The school strives to ensure all classes, whether they are a single year level or composite, have a balanced profile that reflects an equal distribution of academic achievement, social and emotional needs and gender.
Kindy Transition Visits
On weeks 4, 6 and 8 of this term the 2023 intake of reception students will have the opportunity to participate in transition visits to Henley Beach. The purpose of the transition visits is to familiarise the children with our school environment and help them get a sense of school life. We look forward to them, and their families, joining our school community.
Materials and Services Information for 2023
Recently correspondence was provided on Skoolbag regarding the proposed Materials and Services fees for next year. The materials and services charge is intended to cover the cost of essential core materials and services students use and access during the school year, this includes the cost of items such as:
· Stationery (pens, pencils, workbooks, photocopied material).
· Library resources.
· Access to student information technology and other curriculum equipment.
As a part of this process there is an opportunity for parents/carers to attend a meeting where school leadership and Governing Council representation will be present to discuss this proposal. Please note that the date for this meeting is Tuesday 1st November, at 6.30pm. In lieu of attendance at the meeting, parents/carers may express their views in writing to the chairperson of the school council prior to the meeting.
Please email:
Motions to be put to the regular Governing Council meeting following general discussions are as follows:
Motion 1: “That the Henley Beach Primary School Governing Council approve the Materials and Services (M&S) Charge for 2023 being set at $380.00”.
Motion 2: “That the Henley Beach Primary School Governing Council determine to conduct a poll of parents and carers seeking endorsement that the ‘prescribed sum’ (Total M&S fees) be legally recoverable”
Following this meeting, a polling process will be undertaken with the school community.
COVID-19 Arrangements
End of Year Perspectives
· School Concert
We are looking forward to our end of year celebration which will be held on Tuesday 6 December. Families are invited to come along for a picnic on the school grounds prior to the performances commencing. Catering will be available on the night and session times for each class will be published in the coming weeks (class items will be performed in the gym).
Volunteer Award
Each year our school benefits greatly from volunteer assistance and as a way of recognising someone who has made a significant contribution in their support of students, class activities and school events, an annual award is presented. If you would like to nominate a volunteer for this award please do so in writing by Friday 11th, November. In your nomination please include the following information:
· Your name and the name of the volunteer being nominated.
· A brief summary why this person is being nominated (1-2 paragraphs).
School of Languages
In addition to our current R-6 Japanese program, the School of Languages will be offering an R-6 French course at our school on Mondays from 3.10-4.40pm next year. Families who wish to find out more about the French or Japanese programs are invited to attend an information session. Details are below:
Monday, 14 November 2022 from 4.45 - 5.30pm (in the gym)
Facilities and Grounds Update
During the holiday break several drink fountains around the school have been upgraded to a more modern and hygienic design. Planning for further upgrades to ICT equipment in classrooms has commenced with a focus on replacing projectors with an LCD screen.
