Long Service Leave - Term Three

I am excited to share the news that I will embark on Long Service Leave for the first three and a half weeks of Term 3. I will attend the Australian Primary Principals Association Conference in Hobart during this time. Before the conference, my husband and I plan to take a short trip around Tasmania.

While I will undoubtedly miss being a part of the vibrant St Mary's community during this period, I have full confidence in our dedicated staff to ensure the smooth running of the school. I am pleased to announce that Mrs Sally-Anne Croker, our esteemed Assistant Principal, will be acting as the Principal in my absence. Mrs Croker brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of our school's values and vision. I have no doubt that St Mary's will continue to thrive under her capable leadership and provide an exceptional educational experience for our students.

During my leave, Mrs Croker will be supported by our exceptional team of teachers and support staff, who will be available to address any queries or concerns. Rest assured; they will do their utmost to maintain the high standards and caring environment that define our school.

While away, I will miss the daily interactions with the students, parents, and staff members who make St Mary's a warm and welcoming community. However, I look forward to returning refreshed and invigorated, armed with new insights and ideas from the conference, which will further enrich our school's educational experiences.

NAPLAN

The student NAPLAN reports are expected to be received and distributed to families early in Term 3.

As you may already know, NAPLAN is a nationwide assessment measuring students' literacy and numeracy skills in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9. It provides valuable insights into individual student progress and assists educators in identifying areas of strength and areas requiring additional support.

There has been an important update regarding the National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) reporting scale. The results will now be reported against proficiency standards rather than numerical bands, as in previous years.

NAPLAN reports will contain four easy-to-understand proficiency standards:

• Exceeding
• Strong
• Developing
• Needs additional support.

These new band names aim to reflect students' progress and growth better, providing a clearer indication of their current level of achievement. It is important to note that the assessment content and standards have not changed; only the terminology used to describe the bands has been updated. Please also note that it is expected that more students will now fall in the 'Needs additional support' category than before because this now includes a larger cohort. The middle two bands, 'Developing' and 'Strong', comprise of 60% of the students.

At St Mary's Primary School, we believe every child is unique, and their achievements extend beyond a single test. While NAPLAN provides valuable information, it is just one aspect of our comprehensive approach to assessing student progress and fostering their holistic development.

We understand that assessment results can sometimes generate concern or uncertainty among parents. However, it is crucial to remember that NAPLAN is a snapshot of a student's skills at a specific time and should be viewed in conjunction with ongoing classroom assessments, teacher observations, and individual growth over time.

As educators, our focus remains on providing a well-rounded and inclusive learning environment that nurtures every student's academic, social, and emotional growth. We encourage you to engage in open communication with your child's teachers, who are best placed to provide meaningful insights into their progress and offer guidance on how to support their learning journey.

If you have any questions or require further clarification regarding the changes to NAPLAN reporting or any other educational matter, please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated staff. We are here to support you and your child every step of the way.

Semester One Reports Coming Soon!

Your child's Semester One Report and Work sample Folder will be sent home next Monday, 26th June. This comprehensive report provides valuable insights into your child's academic progress, highlighting their achievements and areas for further development.

Please see last week's newsletter for a description of the grading scale.

We believe that open communication between home and school is essential for the success of our students. If you have any questions or require clarification regarding the report or your child's progress, please don't hesitate to contact your child's class teacher. We are here to support you and your child every step of the way.

Communication Survey Results

Thank you to the parents who participated in our recent communication survey. Your valuable feedback and insights were overwhelmingly positive. It is clear from your responses that the current format of our weekly newsletter is meeting your expectations and serving as an effective means of communication. All who responded noted that they found the newsletter highly informative, with many expressing appreciation for the valuable updates, event reminders, and insightful articles.