Principal’s Report
Uniform update
Production of our new sports top is now underway with our uniform supplier, Spartan School World. We’re hoping that the new top is in stock by the end of term 1. As with any uniform change, there is a period of time where the old sports top is still considered approved school uniform. This is typically two years after the new style being introduced.
The sports top may be worn every day, not just for PE days or sporting activities.
Reminder about appropriate length of shorts for all children.
School Council has developed a Student Dress Code which can be found on our website. It’s great to see that most children are in correct school uniform. However, there are some items that students are wearing that don’t comply with the dress code.
Here are a few reminders that I am seeking help from families with to ensure our students look great in our school uniform:
- extreme hair styles or colours are not permitted unless there is a specific event where styles and colouring are temporary and can be washed out.
- the only acceptable colours for polo tops are navy blue, sky blue, the sports top or the special Grade 6 top.
- the only acceptable colour for pants, shorts, skorts and leggings is navy blue. Bike shorts must be mid-thigh length.
- active wear shorts, regardless of colour, are not school uniform and must not be worn.
- pants and shorts must be plain navy blue without branding or decoration.
- the only acceptable jumpers and hoodies are school branded or plain navy blue.
I would greatly appreciate your help with ensuring your child comes to school in correct school uniform each day. If there is a legitimate reason why your child is out of school uniform on the day, please send a message to their teacher noting the reason.
iPads in Years 4-6 and NAPLAN
While we no longer ask grade 3 students and new families to bring an iPad from home to use at school, students in years 4 to 6 can still bring their iPad to school until they graduate in Year 6.
NAPLAN testing for Year 3 and 5 students will be happening between March 11 and 20. More information will be given to parents and carers in Years 3 and 5 as we get closer to the testing window. With NAPLAN testing being fully online now (with the exception of Year 3 writing) I would like to emphasise the importance of maintaining your child’s iPad so that it’s in the best condition to access the tests. Please ensure that your child charges their device each day, brings it to school and has a fully functioning keyboard. Teachers will be preparing the students by conducting practice tests which involve them accessing the NAPLAN Locked-down browser application. This will happen regularly between now and March 11. Ensuring the iPads are in good condition will help us enormously.
Annual privacy reminder for our school community
Our school collects and uses student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the Schools’ privacy policy and the Schools’ privacy collection notice.
Our Photographing, Filming and Recording Students policy, which can be found on our school website, describes how we collect and use photographs, video and recordings of students. The policy also explains when parent consent is required and how it can be provided and withdrawn.
We ask parents to also review the guidance we provide on how we use Google Workspace for Education safely at the school and what parents can do to further protect their child’s information. If after reviewing the guidance, you have any questions or concerns regarding your child using Google Workspace for Education, please contact the school.
For more information about privacy, refer to: Schools’ privacy policy: information for parents. This information is also available in eleven community languages:
- Amharic
- Arabic
- Chinese
- Dari
- Gujarati
- Mandarin
- Somali
- Sudanese
- Turkish
- Urdu
- Vietnamese
School is Better When Your Child is There
We all want our kids to get a great education, and the building blocks for a great education begin with students coming to school each and every day.
If students miss school regularly, they miss out on learning the fundamental skills that will set them up for success in the later years of school.
There is no safe number of days for missing school – each day a student misses puts them behind, and can affect their educational outcomes.
Each missed day is associated with progressively lower achievement in numeracy, writing and reading.
Attendance patterns are established early – a child regularly missing days in the early years of school will often continue to miss classes in the later years, and receive lower outcomes than their classmates.
It’s vital that students go to school every day – even in the early years of primary school.
IN VICTORIA SCHOOL IS COMPULSORY FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE AGED 6 -17 YEARS
The main reasons for absence are:
Sickness – There are always times when students need to miss school, such as when they’re ill. It’s vital that they’re only away on the days they are genuinely sick, and developing good sleep patterns, eating well and exercising regularly can make a big difference.
Family holidays – It’s vital that holidays are planned during school holidays where possible, and not during the term. If you are planning to go on holiday during term time, make sure that you talk to the school in advance, and work with us to develop an absence learning plan.
“Day off” – Think twice before letting your child have a “day off” as they could fall behind their classmates – every day counts.
Truancy – This is when students choose not to go to school without their parent’s permission. There can be many reasons for truancy. The best way to address this is for the school and parents to work together.
BEING AWAY FROM SCHOOL FOR ONE DAY A FORTNIGHT EQUALS MISSING 1.5 YEARS OVER 13 YEARS OF SCHOOL
If for any reason your child must miss school, there are things you can do to ensure they don’t fall behind:
- Inform the school
- Speak with your child’s classroom teacher and find out what work they need to do to keep up.
- Develop an absence learning plan with your teacher and ensure your child completes the plan.
Remember, every day counts. If your child must miss school, speak with your classroom teacher as early as possible.
Openly communicating with the school about all absences is a good way to prevent attendance issues being escalated to a School Attendance Officer. A School Attendance Officer is a Department of Education Regional Director who has authority to follow up attendance issues. Chronic or ongoing attendance issues that are escalated can lead to an Infringement Notice being issued to parent/s.
If you’re having attendance issues with your child, please let your classroom teacher know so we can work together to get your child to school every day.
Top attendance tips for parents:
- The school wants to work in partnership with parents – act early if you have any concerns by contacting us and asking for advice and support
- Remember that every day counts
- There is no safe number of days for missing school – each day a student misses puts them behind, and can affect their educational outcomes and their social connectedness
- Talk positively about school and the importance of attending every day
- Open and prompt communication with the school about all absences is a good idea
- Avoid making routine medical and dental appointments during the school day or planning family holidays during the term
- Seek help from me or Kristy Foster if you are concerned about your child’s attendance and wellbeing. We want to work in partnership with parents to support student attendance and wellbeing.
Have a great week.
Mat Anderton
Principal
