PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
Dear Families
I’m excited to be able to share with you a short recording that captures the work and efforts of our staff and students in supporting increased student wellbeing. This illustration of practice is the result of our school demonstrating substantial and sustained positive change in both the School Climate and Student Belonging domains of the Student Wellbeing and Engagement Survey.
The video is inspiring and demonstrates combined ownership; involvement of all stakeholders; positivity and consistency of message between our staff and the strength of student voice informing the work we do and the direction we take. The students involved are a credit to our school and the community and I would also like to acknowledge Meg Burbury, Michele Bennett, Ken Stonehouse, Emma McIntosh and Teresa Kirk for their participation and contribution.
I hope you enjoy this snapshot of the great work staff and students are doing at St Marys District School and are as proud of our shared achievements as we are!
Campbell Town Show
Last week our Grade 3-6 students and a number of staff spent a wonderful day exploring at Campbell Town Show. Students report having a wonderful day, with the highlights for students including the animals, lunch on the haybales and seeing their own work and that of their friends on display. For me, the highlight was hearing about the fantastic participation and respectful, caring behaviour of our students. I know Mrs Burbury and the other staff who attended came back feeling very proud of our students and how well they represented our school.
Reporting, Evidence of Learning and Parent/Teacher Interviews
Teaching staff are currently reviewing student assessment and achievement data, moderating and preparing evidences of student learning to share with families. Please see the following table for information and dates for mid-year reporting and communicating learning progress.
|
Term 2 - Kindergarten Week 6-8 2 June - 20 June |
Individual parent meetings to discuss the Kindergarten Development Check Evidences of Learning shared during the term as the learning occurs or posted home in week 10 |
|
Term 2 - Prep - Grade 10 Week 10 - Wednesday 2 July |
Reports containing Australian Curriculum ratings and Application to Learning rubric posted home for all Prep to 10 students. Evidences of Learning shared during the term as the learning occurs or posted home in week 10 |
|
Term 2 - Grade 11-12 Friday 13 June |
Reports containing information relating to student progress against criteria posted home for all students. Evidence of Learning shared during the term as the learning occurs or posted home in week 10. |
|
Term 3 - Prep - 12 Week 1: Primary (dates TBC) Week 2: Secondary (dates TBC) Week 4: Music / Grade 7 Maths (due to staff leave) (dates TBC) Grade 11/12 By negotiation between Week 9 Term 2 and week 2 Term 3. |
Parent Teacher interviews and 3-way conversations about learning progress, including goal setting. |
We value the partnership between school and home immensely and hope that all parents will be able to attend the planned meetings. Of course, these conversations do not have to wait until scheduled the scheduled times, and parents should feel free to contact teachers at any time.
School-based Apprenticeships(ASbAs)
An a school based apprenticeship is a paid, employment-based training arrangement, students in Years 10, 11 and 12 are able to combine work, training and education to gain a nationally recognised qualification, usually at Certificate II or III level – across almost every industry sector and training package. Thank you to the employers/businesses who are supporting students to undertake a school based apprenticeship with them. Our students learn so much from being in the workplace and being mentored by you.
This year the following students are participating in school based apprenticeships. Well done to:
Connor – Certificate III in Carpentry
Jesse – Certificate II in Retail Services
Reuben – Certificate II in Retail Services
Kobie – Certificate II in Retail Services
Dom – Certificate II in Agriculture
Vaping
The safety and wellbeing of our students is our highest priority. As you may be aware, there has been a rise in the number of children and young people vaping in the broader community.
Vaping is similar to smoking cigarettes, but without the use of tobacco. Instead, the electronic cigarettes (vapes) heat a liquid until it turns into an aerosol. This aerosol is then inhaled.
The aerosol is not water vapour but is made up of different chemicals. Some of these chemicals can be harmful for the lungs, brain development and general health. Often, vapes contain nicotine, which makes them very addictive.
In supporting the health and wellbeing of our learners, the Department for Education, Children and Young People has adopted a harm minimisation approach to responding to vaping among children and young people. In line with this, all government schools are designated smoke and vape free areas. Signage displaying this is placed around the school property.
The Department is working closely with the Department of Health to ensure that staff, students and families are educated on the health impacts of vaping. The Department has developed a suite of resources centred on a dedicated webpage for vaping. https://www.decyp.tas.gov.au/about-us/projects/child-student-wellbeing/vaping/ This page also includes resources on how to support your child. I encourage you to take the time to talk to your children about vaping. To make it easier to start this conversation, I have included a vaping fact sheet.
If you are worried that your child might be impacted by vaping or is struggling with the topic, it is important to remember that support is available. Information is available on the fact sheet or the Department’s website.
Thank you for your continuing support in ensuring the wellbeing of all our students.
Carolyn Watson
Principal
