Principal's Message
This week’s Parent Teacher Interviews have provided teachers an opportunity to share with families how their child is progressing at school. It also allowed parents a chance to share more about their child and how teachers can support them at school and the uniqueness that every child exhibits. Communication between parents and teachers is the key to being able to give every child the best learning opportunity. It is the school’s expectation that every parent is communicated with regularly whether through ClassDojo, phone calls or face-to-face meetings.
In Andrew’s absence this week I thought it would be timely to discuss teacher and parent communication through ClassDojo and how this can be a great tool to stay connected to your child’s learning. Teachers can communicate photos of student work, comments about student learning, and follow up on any social or behavioural issues occurring on the yard through an instant messaging service. This instant messaging service though doesn’t mean the school is expecting teachers to be responding immediately to any concerns raised, however, we would expect communication to be returned within 24 hours. Any immediate communication required with a teacher or student should be directed to the school office for an appointment to be made or a message to be delivered to the class.
At school, class teachers must follow specific procedures for sharing and taking photos of children. On enrolment, parents sign a consent form to allow their child's photo to be taken for school purposes. As part of our policies and procedures, staff members are not to store any photographs on their personal devices. During public events, our staff members are required to wear their school badge or the school polo to be easily identifiable. Additionally, any pictures that are uploaded to social media or public places will only be shared with the written consent of parents and/or with pictures de-identified.
During school events, such as Athletics, Swimming, Cross Country, parents are reminded that they are only permitted to take photos of their own child, and in the event that other children are in the background should not be uploaded to any social media platforms. It is important to note that we have families in our community that have a ‘No Photo Consent’ – these students must not be photographed and shared at any time, hence our strict process to ensure all student's privacies are protected. Thank you for your ongoing support with this.
Steve Pitt
Deputy Principal
DROPPING STUDENTS TO SCHOOL ON VICTORIA ST
Any parents dropping their students off on Victoria Street are encouraged to have their children exit vehicles on the footpath side. We have had a few reports of students exiting vehicles on the main road and being too close to oncoming traffic.
COLLECTION AT THE END OF THE DAY
Lately, we have had parents calling the office after 3.10 pm trying to get messages to their child's classroom regarding pick-up instructions. We will do everything we can to ensure the message reaches your child but be aware that teachers and students begin an end of day pack up process and it can be difficult to get through to classrooms. Please ensure you give your students clear instructions before dropping them off at school and where they are to be collected.
IMPORTANT DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
- Monday 11th March - Labour Day
- Tuesday 12th March - pupil free day
- Wednesday 27th March - last day Term 1
- Thursday 28th March - pupil free day
- Friday 29th March - Good Friday
- Monday 15th April - pupil free day
- Tuesday 16th April - Term 2 starts all students
- Thursday 25th April - Anzac Day
- Friday 26th April - pupil free day
- Monday 10th June - Kings Birthday
- Tuesday 11th June - Pupil Free day
- Thursday 27th June - last day Term 2
- Friday 28th June - pupil free day
- Monday 15th July - pupil free day
- Tuesday 16th July - Term 3 starts all students
- Friday 20th Sept - last day Term 3
- Monday 7th Oct - Term 4 starts all students
- Monday 4th Nov - pupil free day
- Tuesday 5th Nov - Melbourne Cup
- Tuesday 17th Dec - last day term 4
- Wednesday 18th Dec - pupil free day
- Thursday 19th Dec - pupil free day
- Friday 20th Dec - pupil free day