Dear Parents and Carers,

The Attitudes to School Survey is an annual student survey offered by the Department of Education to assist schools in gaining an understanding of students' perceptions and experience of school. Students from, Year 4 to 6, at our school participated in the survey earlier this term. The survey results will be reported back to the school later in the year.

In the past our school results have indicated that we have a healthy school climate and that the school fosters a positive and supportive learning environment. We understand the importance of student well-being and the impact it has on academic outcomes. The survey touches on aspects of social and emotional well-being, such as feelings of safety, belonging, and connectedness. Addressing these aspects, both at home and school, helps to promote the overall resilience and mental health of young people.

The Resilience Project also helps focus on student social and emotional well-being. As part of our work with The Resilience Project, earlier in the year our Grade 4-6 students completed the Youth Resilience Survey. The survey captures the essential ingredients of a resilient life for young people. It provides, an at-a glance overview of students’ strengths and challenges in percentage terms against the Australian norms.

The survey data is divided into 3 areas:

Connected: to connect to yourself and to others- positive relationships/social skills/understanding self

Protected: to protect yourself and be protected by others- safety/healthy mind and body/learning engagement

Respected: to respect yourself and be respected by others – positive attitude/positive values/positive contribution

The table below contains survey data that may interest you.

Our school will use the survey results to plan programs and activities that enhance your child's educational experience. Students will be invited to share their thoughts and feelings about the survey data. The Resilience Project aims to develop resilience in our students both at school and at home. By working together, we can support our children in building the resilience they need to thrive in all aspects of their lives.

National Reconciliation Week

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. The National Reconciliation Week theme for 2024, Now More Than Ever, is a reminder to all of us that no matter what, the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will —and must —continue.
             

Our school acknowledges National Sorry Day and students and teachers have engaged in lessons and conversations about reconciliation. Reconciliation is about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples, for the benefit of all Australians.

2025 Prep Enrolments

If you have a prep student coming next year or know of a family who is interested in their child starting at our school, enrolments are open. Enrolment applications must be handed into the school by the 26^th of July, with families being informed of their application outcome by the 5^th of August. Families outside of our school zone are not guaranteed a place, so if this applies to you, please get your application in early.

Students and Sports

This term, many of our Grade 4-6 students have participated in sporting events at various levels (School, District, Division, and Regional). These events offer our students valuable learning opportunities. Sporting events provide a platform for students to develop crucial life skills such as teamwork, discipline, and time management. Sports teach students perseverance, resilience, and self-motivation. Participation in sports promotes far more than physical fitness.

I would like to congratulate all the students who have taken part in Cross Country at all levels, Soccer, Tee-ball, and the Winter Football and Netball competitions. I would also like to acknowledge and congratulate several of our students who stepped out of their comfort zones to join a team. Well done!

"Don't be afraid to fail. Be afraid not to try." – Michael Jordan

School Reports

Teachers have been very busy assessing and then writing mid-year progress reports on your child’s learning. Over the past few weeks, each student participated in one-on-one assessments with classroom teachers. This data has provided teachers with accurate information to write detailed student reports. The report will allow you to see the progression your child has made in the first half of the school year in relation to the standards set in the Victorian Curriculum. Reports will be published on Compass on Friday 21^st June.

                                                                Christine

Late Arrival at School
        
 

Your child’s best learning time is at the beginning of each day.

Arriving late to school even just a few minutes can take a week off learning time for the year, which is almost half a year over a child’s lifetime at school.

The first bell rings at 8.35am with students expected to be in class by 8.45am ready to learn.

Late arrival to school is not only unsettling and embarrassing for your child, but a disruption to the class and those who are already in class learning.

Early Departure from School  

                   

Many students depart from school early, causing disruption to other students’ learning due to announcements over the school PA.

Students should only be picked up early if they have an appointment.    Preferably appointments are made during the school holidays or after school hours (we understand that this is not always practical or possible).

If you are picking your child up early due to an appointment can you please contact the office so that we can ensure your child is ready for collection from the office?  Please also enter the information into Compass so that School Attendance data is up to date and correct.

Early school departures cause a lot of distraction and interruption to everyone’s learning across the school.

We appreciate your support with late arrivals and early departures.

Liam      Henry      Leander     Hudson     Myles   Zoe      Cleo      Amber     Tyler      Charlie   Jack      Jimmy       Sunnie     Lilly     Macie   Soph      Ellie         Hamish       Alice       Evie    
  Jess     Will     Jack     Tess     Macie 

On Friday the 21st of June the JSC are running a Pyjama Day. For those students who choose to wear their pyjamas, there will be a gold coin donation which will be donated to the Pyjama Foundation who support learning for children in foster care.

Pyjama Day is a fun day that supports the Pyjama Foundationwith the aim of raising as much funds as possible for The Pyjama Foundation's Love of Learning Program which is offered to children in foster care and to to help raise awareness for children in foster care - Australia's lowest performing educational group.

We are promoting healthy eating, environmental sustainability and wellbeing on this day so we are encouraging students to bring a nude food lunchbox filled with healthy options. The grade with the least amount of packaging will win a small prize.

Please remember to dress warmly, with layers (think - leggings, tracksuit pants, long sleeved skivvies/T-shirts) under your pyjamas, socks and slippers, dressing gowns and remember to bring along shoes and coats/jackets for outside play and don't forget your gold coin donation to a worthy cause.

On Wednesday we participated in National Simultaneous Storytime with many other schools in Australia.  Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. Now in its 24th successful year, this fun and interactive event encourages creativity, imagination and aims to promote the value of reading and literacy from Prep to Year 6. 

This year the book chosen was Bowerbird Blues by Aura Parker. Aura Parker is an award-winning illustrator, writer and designer. Her picture books are joyful with a playful sense of humour, brimming with details to explore. Aura Parker’s storytelling though words and pictures inspires imagination, courage and confidence in young readers as well as a love, curiosity and passion for nature.

At the conclusion of the storytime our students went off to create their own Bowerbirds.