APA (Acting) News

Dear Parents and Carers,

It is that time of the year again where we are doing our best to end the school year well, but also set things up for a positive start to 2023. Part of this has been:

-Last night we held our Parent Information Session, for parents of our 2023 Preps, where our Prep Teachers (Katie, Bec & Luci) shared with incoming Prep parents some information about the practicalities of getting children best prepared for a smooth start to Prep at SSPS.

This follows two earlier Orientation Sessions, where incoming Prep students spent time in the Prep classrooms with the Prep teachers.

In the final week of school, Wednesday Nov 30, we will hold our Whole School Transition Morning, where we have:

- new Preps for 2023 attending

- new older (Yrs 1-6) students for 2023 attending

- all current, onging students

...  spending time in their 2023 classroom, with their 2023 classmates and for the majority, they will meet their 2023 teacher. 

- Tuesday night we hosted a Headspace Workshop for parents of students in Year 6, who are transitioning to secondary school and perhaps experiencing some anxiety. Parents were told that this is perfectly normal, that we need to all have conversations with our children about both their physical and mental health. While my own children (3 boys) are all past puberty (which lasts from about 11 until 21) the talk last night did remind me of conversations had as they tried to find their place at high school. My own generation has not grown up with open conversations about mental health (and many other topics) but as I reflect on my time as a parent of teenagers I do see this as another positive societal change, where discussions about mental health are encouraged. The Headspace presenter, Ricki, reminded those present, several times, that just as we would take notice of, and speak to our children about any physical issue (sore leg, sunburn) etc we need to be just as forthright and open about checking in on their mental health. "You seem a little sad/ down/worried"... what's going on?"

Our Year 6 students all received a booklet which they filled in individually to then share at home, with you, their care givers. If you have not already done so, Year 6 parents are encouraged to ask your child about this and look at it together. It could/ should generate an interesting conversation with your "soon to be teenager".

Below are support services which you and your Year 6 student are welcome to access at any time. 

Prep to Year One Transition

Our current Prep Parents have been invited to meet with the Year One teachers, visit the Year One classrooms and hear about some of the changes ahead as the Preppies move to the "big school". For instance, Preps only wear the sports uniform, whereas in Year One and beyond, they will be expected to wear  the formal uniform on 3 days of the week.

So on Tuesday next week (Nov 22) at 2:30pm current Prep parents are invited to gather at the playground on the primary oval, where Year One teachers will meet you and then take you on a quick tour of the lovely new Year One classrooms.

The following Tuesday (Nov 29) at 8:10am, there will be a quick walk through the Year One classrooms for those unable to attend the afternoon visit. 

Year One students are also working on a Digital Tech project, where they take a photo of a Year One particular space, eg bag racks, drink taps, playground etc which they will share with the Prep students, explaining the significance. Hopefully this helps with the move as well. Thanks Year Ones.

Transition Meetings (Teacher to Teacher)

Now that 2023 class lists have been finalised, teachers will be meeting in the coming weeks to share information (do a hand over) about the students they have had this year and what has worked well as far as learning and behaviour have gone. 

Teaching and Learning Meetings

This week, all teachers have met with our Middle Leader (Nicki Prentice) to look at and discuss our whole school data that has been generated from standardised testing (English and Maths) which took place earlier this term.

This has led to much reflection as to what has led to positive growth, what has inhibited this growth and where to from here. This data will also be shared with the students' 2023 teachers.

Report Cards

Bringing the 2022 school year to a close, means that the teachers have been assessing students' learning and now gather this data to present to parents via the Semester Two Report Card. 

As well as overall grades (A-E) for all eight learning areas (Religion, Maths, English, Hass, Science, HPE, The Arts, Technology), students will be given a rating on their effort, which perhaps is more telliing than the overall grade. If your child is receiving a C overall grade but an A for effort, then you should be very happy with that as the student is obviously doing their very best.

As well as General Comments, and English and Maths Comments, for the first time at SSPS, all students will get a comment for Religious Education, commenting on the acquistion of concepts/ knowledge/ skills taught.

When I look at all the above, it explains why everyone at school, including our wonderful office ladies, are feeling very much "under the pump". We are all very busy, with lots to finalise and not a lot of time left to do it!! 

Thanks for reading

Judy