Term 4 is such a busy time as we finalise so much of the forward planning for the following year. Currently we are working on the 2016 Primary budget which will contain some new initiatives for particular year levels.

Teachers have finalised the student book and equipment lists and these will be available very soon.  Collectively we have also been reassessing the workbooks and online programmes for next year which we feel will enhance student learning.  I believe that one of the strengths of our Primary College is our practice of reflecting on and evaluating current programmes and procedures with a view to continue improvement.  After using a programme for approximately three years, which is a reasonable time to evaluate its effectiveness, we determine from student data and teacher feedback whether the programme is achieving the desired outcome.  Over the past few months in staff meetings, teachers have discussed a number of the programmes we have been using and decisions have been made to retain some and change others.  Mrs Mitchell together with Curriculum Leaders organized presenters for professional development to assist these decisions and we are very happy with the proposed changes for 2016.

Our desire is always to provide the very best programmes we can to improve student outcomes. We monitor their effectiveness by comparing annual data using standardized testing, NAPLAN results and ACER (Australian Council of Educational Research) online tests. Last week all students in Year 1 – Year 6 completed ACER testing in the following areas

• General Capabilities
• Reading Comprehension
• Mathematics

For the first time this year we included Year 1 students which will allow us to track their individual data also from now on.

Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to our P and F for such an enjoyable Disco this term.  The children had so much fun and the prizes were amazing.

We have been in discussions with the P and F regarding the important events at the end of this term which are the Prep – Year 2 Carols Night and the Year 3 – 6 Christmas Concert on Monday and Tuesday in the last week of Term 4. These end of year presentations are shaping up to being wonderful events as they have been in the past.

Volunteers

Please remember to sign in at the office as we need to know who is on the College Campus at all times. We really appreciate your assistance and value what you do, but for safety reasons we must have all volunteers sign in and out.

God Bless,

Cheryl Bryers, Head of Primary