School Review
On Thursday we had the first of three school review days. This involved myself as Principal, Leah Hodgson (Assistant Principal), Sharon Walker (School Council President), Justin Butler (Senior Education Improvement Leader for the Knox Network), Sue Dean (Principal of Ferntree Gully North PS), Michael Puddy (Principal of Billanook PS) and Tracy Hammill (School Reviewer from Edvaluate), unfortunately Kristy Foster was sick on the day.
The aim of the day was to discuss the school’s performance data for the last four years, share highlights and outline things the helped or hindered us from achieving our goals and targets. The review panel visited classrooms to take notes on what teachers and students were doing so we can use this information for future planning. They mentioned how engaged the children were in their learning, and how calm, consistent and orderly the classrooms were. A real highlight for the review panel was meeting with small groups of students from each year level to get feedback about the school from the students’ perspective. The panel members were blown away with how articulate and well-mannered our children are.
The next review day is on Thursday 17th August. This is called a Fieldwork Day where the review panel meets with teachers and education support staff to seek their input about the school’s progress. There will also be an opportunity for a group of parents to provide feedback – I’d like to thank these parents in advance for their willingness to support our school in this process.
Prep Enrolments for 2024
Over the next week Sharon La Morticella, our Enrolment Officer, will be emailing a confirmation letter to welcome our new Preps into our school for 2024. If you have a child starting school next year who has a sibling already at our school, but haven’t yet enrolled, contact Sharon in the office as soon as possible please.
Three Way Conferences
Three Way Conferences are happening a bit differently this term as opposed to the way they were run in Term 1 and in previous years. It was originally scheduled to be a student-free day, however this has now changed to having Three Way Conferences on Tuesday 12th and Wednesday 13th September after school hours. More information will be sent to families in the lead up to these sessions, which are a great opportunity to speak to your child’s teacher about their academic progress.
Cadbury Chocolate Fundraiser
Thank you to all our families that are doing an amazing job selling the chocolates for our school. This is a major fundraiser for the year, and we are extremely appreciative of your support. Just a reminder that all money must be returned to the school by Friday 25th August. Thank you to Yvette Willison, the office and the Hubster for organising this.
Congratulations
I’m excited to announce that two more teachers will be having babies this year. A huge congratulations to Mrs Taylah Smith and her husband Jason, and Mr Carlos Milan and his partner Aida, who will be having their babies around Christmas time. Mrs Smith will begin maternity leave in November with Mrs Prue Baum taking PE until the end of the year. I’d like to wish Mrs Smith and Mr Milan all he best as they embark on an exciting new chapter in their lives.
Have a great week!
Mat Anderton
Acting Principal