Yulmburral
What a busy fortnight! Though, as I write this I do have to ask myself, when isn’t a school fortnight busy? Students have been completing ACER assessments, Yr2 & Yr 4 have participated in a NAPLAN Online trial, Teachers have participated in a Pupil Free Day series of meetings along with a CTJ afternoon in Religious education and all in the meanwhile the business of teaching and learning has continued.
The NAPLAN online trial is a process by which the school tests its digital infrastructure in readiness for doing NAPLAN online in 2019. In the process the students have the opportunity to develop IT skills necessary for undertaking these tests next year.
On Monday as students were enjoying an extended weekend, teachers were engaged in a process of developing the 2019 School Annual Improvement Plan ( SAIP-2019). I know I often make reference to the SAIP as it is the central document that identifies the 2 or 3 priority goals for strategic planning each year. The following 3 goals will be the focus in 2019. It is important that these SAIP goals are NOT the only goals that school works towards each year.
- By the end of Term 3 – 2019, 90% of the school community will have awareness of the ECISP with survey opportunities completed and returned to Leuven
- By the end of 2019, 92% of students will demonstrate a learning gain of 0.60 in writing conventions and text structure.
- By the end of Term 1 all teachers develop the capacity to use BI tiles: 1. Analytics & 2. Comparison to create differentiated groups for writing / reading / numeracy.
As we complete this process a Final SAIP – 2019 will be published on the Parent Portal and displayed around the school for ongoing reference.
World Teacher Day is today. I encourage all to reflect and give thanks for the role that teachers make in the lives of all of us. All of us have been supported by teachers in our life’s journey. I thank God for teachers I have had in my own education and along the way in my career. I also thank God for the wonderful team of teachers I work with each and every day at St Augustine’s Mossman. I ask the community to stop and give thought for the role these wonderful people make in the lives of your precious children.
Fee Statements have been sent to all families. Fees are an important commitment that parents make at enrolment in ensuring children receive a quality education. I thank all who are attending to this commitment. If payment of fees is an issue please make an appointment so we can discuss available options to address this matter.
I will be attending a Principal Conference on Thursday 1st and 2nd November. The purpose of this conference is to explore financial, legal and political agendas that impact on school structures for 2019. Many of these matters are regarding compliance and reassure the school community that these matters support ongoing delivery of education at St Augustine’s School.
Date claimers for the calendar are the School Christmas Concert on Tuesday 4th December and the Yr 6 Farewell Assembly on Friday 7th December. More details will be published in future Newsletters.
I wish to congratulate the vast majority of excellent St Augustine’s Students. I am impressed so many students continue to wear their uniform correctly, attend school punctually, behave appropriately in the classroom and on the playground and engage positively in their learning. You make all parents and staff very proud of your commitment. Well done children!
Until next fortnight, be grateful, empathetic and mindful.
Together in Faith – Learning for Life
Paul