Tuesday 9th May 2023
Hello Everyone,
Last week, our Grades 4, 5 and 6 students headed off to camp at Forest Edge in Neerim East. It is a stunning campsite located in the rolling hills of Gippsland. Feedback from staff and students was that they had a wonderful time. The weather was quite wet on the first day, but the subsequent two days were sunny with a gentle breeze – perfect weather for bushwalking and flying fox and lots of other camp activities. Some of the students took a long time to go to sleep on the first night but the following night they settled very quickly. The food was delicious and plentiful.
Even before our students arrived home from camp, I had received an email from the owners telling me what wonderful children they were – well behaved, caring and polite. Taking almost 40 children away on camp is no mean feat and I am VERY grateful to Joe, Jess, Vicki and Amy for giving up their family time to support this camp. Teachers are not obliged to go on camps, and we are lucky here that we have staff who are willing to give us their time because they know the benefits that it provides for the children. I’d also like to thank their families for picking up an extra load at home while they are away.
This Friday is the Mother’s Day function in the school hall. Please sign in on QKR to let us know if you are coming. We would love to see you there. This is a free event provided with the support of FOS and the school to celebrate all that you do.
Swimming started this week, and it seems to be working well. Yesterday, on the first day, the children were grouped and then the groups were adjusted to make sure that every child was being coached at their swimming level. We rely strongly on the expertise of the swimming teachers to assess the students and if you have any concerns about their grouping, please let me know (or the swimming teacher if you are at the pool) straight away.
This week I have several school tours for prospective parents for 2024. If you know of anyone interested in enrolling, please let them know that they should call the school to book a tour.
In the next few days, our senior students will be participating in the Attitudes to School Survey (AToSS). This is a survey conducted by the Department of Education every year. The students are asked a range of questions about their learning, their connection to school, their physical and mental health and their social engagements. This data is then collated and compared with the rest of the state to see how the students at our school are travelling. I will, as always, tell you about our results when we receive them.
Yesterday we hosted a group of teachers from Riddell’s Creek Primary School. They spent the morning looking at our wellbeing processes and programs. It’s always lovely to be recognised for the work that happens here and I am particularly grateful for all the support work undertaken by our Wellbeing and Inclusion coordinator, Olivia.
Finally, welcome back to Hayley Saunders who has been away for over a month battling a ruptured Achilles. It is lovely to have her back on deck (albeit in a moonboot). I want to thank Laura Wenczel who picked up full time work in the classroom (she usually only works in there two days per week) during Hayley’s absence to ensure that continuity of learning was maintained.
Have a lovely week everyone.
Trish
