From the Principal
Kay Bradly Acting Principal
- Dismissal and Pick-up Arrangements
A big thank you to everyone who has contributed to a safe arrival and dismissal process. I really appreciate that parents are not lingering in the school grounds and remembering to social distance, when they are collecting or dropping off students.
I would like to remind parents using Heal Street drop off and pick up zones, that only left turns onto James Street are permissible during these peak times. Trying to turn right not only holds up all the traffic behind you but could collect you a ticket from police officers who are sometimes stationed in James Street.
- Classes for 2021
As we move into term 3, we begin to think about forming our classes for next year. This is a complex process which takes into account learning styles, gender balance, English as a second language, learning needs, behaviour, personalities and friendships. The process is as follows:
1 Students nominate up to 5 friends, they like working with – teachers are able to help our Preps and Yr 1 students with this. We give students this opportunity to have a voice and parents are not involved in this part of the process. This is the first step in our process, for logistical reasons, but it is the last piece of information we consult when forming classes. Each student is guaranteed on to be with one friend from their list.
2 Parents are given an opportunity to send information to the school, via email, that they would like staff to consider e.g. family situation that might impact 2021, personality clash between students, particular learning issues. We do not take any requests for particular teachers and do not guarantee parent requests will be actioned.
3 School data is collected. This includes: academic, behaviour, learning needs, English as a second language, gender and behaviour.
4 Notes made on students who have been with part-time teachers and in multi-age classes. We endeavour not to have students in multi-age or with part-time teachers two years in a row.
5 Software is used to create draft class lists with a balance of gender, academic, learning needs, English as a second language, behaviour and finally friendships. The software will sometimes run thousands of scenarios before a draft for a particular year level can be found.
6 Draft class lists are reviewed by Mrs Loudon (Inclusion coach) and class teachers
7 Students who are leaving the school are removed and classes adjusted to ensure friendships are not impacted.
8 Lists are reviewed by Dr McGrath and adjusted due to changes in staffing.
9 Parents and students are notified of classes for 2021.
NB: Due to the intricacies of this process, changes to final class lists are only made in very exceptional circumstances.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND ANY 2021 PARENT INFORMATION AT THIS POINT