What an amazing term so far – with Book Week, Japanese Spring Fair, excursions, incursions, 80s Night, Disco and PAT testing, it sure has been a whole lot of fun - with our annual Sports Day still to come! A huge shout out and THANK YOU to our community for supporting these key events. Big thanks to Aftab Sensei and parents who organised the wonderful Spring Fair and the sushi lunch.
Book Week Parade
Book Week, once again, surpassed all expectations with the Front Office team stealing the show with their outstanding transformation of the front office into Penguin Land - be sure to check out the photos on our Facebook page! Huge thanks to all members of the school community for the hard work and effort that went into the school book week events and annual parade outfits. The annual staff play ‘Frank’s Red Hat’ was fabulous with Mr L taking on lead character role. We were delighted the community could watch as students paraded around the new courtyard in their Buddy classes – it was a lovely community feel. Feedback from this has been overwhelmingly positive. Big thanks to Ms Cook and Lynn for their organisation of such an amazing and fun week. A special edition "Book Week' Newsletter will be sent out next week with all the excitement and photos.
Staffing Update
Schools are finding it difficult to secure temporary relievers and contract teachers and with the imminent increase of mid-year classes for Reception in 2024 we anticipate difficulty in ensuring quality early years teachers.
With this in mind, the school Personal Advisory Committee (PAC) has been working in line with Department guidelines to consider contract staff for conversions to permanency.
We are delighted to announce that Ms Kelly and Ms Ainsley have secured permanency here at West Lakes Shore School. CONGRATULATIONS to them! This ensures continuity and consistency for our early years students. They each bring a wealth of skills and knowledge, and we look forward to Kelly and Ainsley continuing to use these to support the growth of every child.
Phonics Screening Check
In week 6 all year 1 students undertook a Phonics Screening Check (PSC). The phonics screening check is an assessment tool that will provide information about how students are progressing in their phonics development. Phonics is one of the ‘Big 6’ of Reading and is a vital foundation in learning to read. There are 40 words in the PSC, which includes a mixture of real words and invented words. Children who can decode the invented words should have the skills to decode any other unfamiliar words. Following the check teachers will spend time analysing their students’ data to develop interventions where needed. First glance data analysis is showing we have surpassed our previous outcomes and have over 90% meeting standard and a large number of students reaching the highest outcome.
PAT Tests
PAT (PAT R and PAT M) testing has commenced and involves year 2-6 students completing a reading and mathematics assessment. This assessment is completed online and teachers will have immediate access to student achievement. The information gained from these assessments will enable teachers to identify areas of strength and development, at both an individual and class level.
Once again, we will also use an AGAT assessment to determine students in middle years with high potential for targeted SHIP (Students with High Intellectual Potential) programs. As we move into 2024, we will be evaluating the impact of targeted programs in place and looking to widen and extend targeted SHIP programs based on group and individual student needs.
2024 Class Structures and Mid-Year Reception
In 2024 we have 82 students who have been offered places to commence Reception, and expect enrolments across the school to increase with a number of expressions of interest from families transferring from interstate and overseas.
It is important to know student enrolments for our class structure process and we now ask all families (R-5) who know their child will be leaving West Lakes Shore School at the end of 2023 to inform the front office - more information is below.
Mid-Year Reception
Our school supports the pedagogy of play and knows that our ‘early learners’ learn and thrive best when they have active, hands on and quality indoor and outdoor learning. Our mid-year Reception class organisation will be supported by early year’s pedagogy and programming, and considerable thought is going in to operate this in an open space with access outdoors.
A further 35+ students have submitted a 'Registration of Interest', to be offered a place for mid-term 2024 Reception entry. Students who commence mid-term will undertake 6 Terms of Reception.
