As we reach the halfway point of Term 4, I want to take a moment to celebrate the progress we’ve made as a school and share some of the exciting things happening at Plattsburg.
Over the past term, all of our staff have completed their Sounds Write professional learning. This is a significant achievement for our school and an important step in continuing to build strong literacy foundations for every student. Sounds Write is an evidence-based program that explicitly teaches the relationship between letters and sounds, helping students to become confident and capable readers and writers. With all staff now trained, this approach will be fully embedded in every classroom from Kindergarten through to Year 6, ensuring consistency and clarity in how we teach reading and spelling across the school.
Our strong focus on Explicit Teaching continues to guide our classroom practice. This means that lessons are carefully structured, learning intentions are made clear, and students are given the opportunity to practise, receive feedback, and build confidence in their understanding. This consistent approach supports all students to know exactly what they are learning and how they can achieve success.
To ensure every child benefits from this learning, it is vital that all students are at school on time every day. Our mornings are a crucial part of the day when essential literacy and numeracy lessons occur. When students arrive late, they miss key instruction that builds the foundation for their learning. Thank you to all families who are supporting this by establishing strong routines and ensuring children are ready for learning by 9:00 a.m.
There is also a great deal happening beyond the classroom this term. Plattsburg continues to offer a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities that help students grow socially, emotionally, and creatively. On Monday, we are excited to welcome the Never Fold Collective wellbeing program for our Stage 3 students. This engaging program focuses on resilience, teamwork, and positive mindset helping our students develop lifelong skills for success and wellbeing.
Our Handball Competition started this week and has already brought great energy to the playground. Thank you to Miss Bailey for coordinating this event and for giving students the opportunity to have fun, stay active, and display sportsmanship.
Next week, selected Stage 1 students will represent Plattsburg at the League Tag Gala Day, where they will have the chance to showcase their teamwork and sporting skills. We wish them the best of luck and know they will represent our school proudly.
Our Student Representative Council (SRC) have also been very active this term. Next week, they will be cooking and selling cookies as part of their fundraising efforts. Keep an eye out for further announcements about this and other exciting events coming up. A big thank you to Miss Christie for leading our SRC and helping our students develop leadership skills and a strong sense of community service.
As we move into the final weeks of the school year, the build-up to Christmas in the Gully is beginning to take shape. This special community event always brings great joy to our school and provides a wonderful opportunity for families to come together and celebrate the year.
As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the school if you have any questions, need support, or would like to discuss your child’s learning or wellbeing. Our staff are always here to help, and we value the strong partnerships we share with our families.
Thank you, Plattsburg.
Kind regards,
Dave Hopson
Relieving Principal
