Buenos dias! Thank you to Mrs Beck Davis who relieved for me as Principal whilst I enjoyed a couple of weeks in Peru, South America. Had a fantastic time, with the highlights being Machu Picchu and Mt Vinikunka (at 5000m above sea level, almost twice the height of Mt Kosciusko!)
Congratulations and thank you to the students and staff for a great Term 1. I am always amazed and proud as to the quality of learning instruction going on in classrooms each day, and I am really pleased with how our students are responding to the high expectations learning culture and them being present, centred and ready to learn.
Speaking of this, it is nice to report that student attendance has continued to be excellent throughout the term. Our students achieved a Term 1 attendance rate of 92.9% (compared to the state average of 88.8%) and that 75.4% of our students have attended 90% of the time or more (opposed to 50.4% across the state), with 145 of our students attending at least 95% of the time. Congratulations to them and to you. I think this reflects nicely on our school – the kids want to be here!
School Vision
Yesterday the staff worked together on our school planning for the coming years, with key directions focused on Student Growth & Attainment, Quality Pedagogical Practice and a Culture of Learning. One of the activities was to reflect on and enhance our school’s vision. Their task was to complete the sentence, “A vision for Alstonville PS is for it to be…” Some responses from staff:
- a place where students feel welcomed, valued and safe
- an inclusive, innovative and vibrant community that embraces individuality, leadership and wellbeing
- a place where students are provided with an exceptional education
- a welcoming place for students and families
- an innovative space that holds a community of happy, lifelong learners
- the beacon on the hill!
I’d love your thoughts.
Mobile phones in Schools
You would have noted media reports regarding the new state government’s planned ban on mobile phones for students in high schools. The ban will build on current restrictions on the use of digital devices in primary schools and help create distraction-free environments for learning and decrease the risk of cyber bullying. In our context, students who bring mobile phones to school must hand them in to the school office upon arrival, and these are to be collected from the office (or bus lines) at the end of the day. I thank you for your ongoing support with this.
Congratulations and thank you to the newly elected P&C Executive:
President – Jess Henschke
Secretary – Jayne Sanders
Vice President – Sam Corcoran
Treasurer – Anthea Payne
The school looks forward to working with the P&C leadership team and I urge you to get behind their plans to support the school.
Happy Easter and holidays to you and your beautiful children.
Peter Flannery