Principal’s Prattle

…..Engaged and resilient students learning in a safe and inclusive environment…..

This week I would like to acknowledge one of the most important things that makes all our students engaged and resilient and that is you as parents. In many of the articles I include from Justin Coulson, he regularly speaks about the important role that parents play. Your support helps strengthen and support our school vision. Here are a few things that make a big difference-

• Reading to your child
• Setting consistent routines
• Encouraging their curiosity
• Communicating with your child’s teacher
• Celebrate their success
• Encourage them to play a team sport
• Listen and make time to sit and talk with them
• Be very aware of screen time and don’t be afraid to set limits

Anzac Day March

This year we are again having a presence at the local ANZAC Day service and march. We will be meeting outside the Runaway Bay Sports Centre from 9am. Our students march as a group and we ask that parents do not walk in the parade with the students. Please find somewhere along the route to stand and watch. Students will then sit together for the ceremony and are to be collected from there after the service.

AIP - School Magnets

Your child will be bringing home our annual fridge magnet that we share with you to remind you of our school’s priorities throughout the year. I encourage you to have a look at the different aspects we are focussing on as these could form a basis for discussions you have with your child about their experience at school. This relates to my first paragraph with our school vision.

School Data

One of the data sets at school that we regularly track is our attendance and it has been a consistent piece of data that has a significant impact on how well we achieve our school priorities. I have decided to share a recent piece of data that shows the percentage of students in each year level and the number of them who attend school less than 85% of the time. We know that there are particular reasons around sickness and family activities. Our concern here though is that as students get older there is a direct link to more of these students staying away from school. Less than 85% attendance – if this happens regularly means that after 7 years at school the student has missed an entire year of learning. Learning builds on prior learning and if elements are missed it can be difficult for some students to catch up.

We use this data to reflect and action our priority of engaging our students with their learning. However if they are not at school for reasons other than sickness this is where your support is vital.

If you are having trouble getting your child to school please contact the school early and we are happy to work with you and your child to achieve a high level of attendance.

Outside School Hours Care

After a very comprehensive evaluation of all the tender documents that were submitted I am pleased to announce that Camp Australia were the successful applicants to continue to provide before and after school care. We look forward to working with them to provide the best experiences and care for your students.

Active school travel

Thank you very much to all the parents and students who are supporting this initiative. Each year they have an art competition for students. Last year one of our students, Mika, won the Junior category.

The competition is open to all primary students and we encourage you to support your child to enter if they are interested in participating.

All the details are on the poster attached below.