Assembly Update
After considering feedback we have decided to modify our weekly celebration Assembly. Assembly will now begin at 3pm at the front of the school. Each week students in either the Junior Learning Spaces – Foundation and 1/2 or the Senior Learning Spaces – 3/4 and 5/6 will celebrate their learning from the week. This will alternate each fortnight starting with our Junior Learning Spaces this week. We will continue to celebrate the whole school via Student Awards, Bee Threes, Welcome Awards and Attendance Awards each week. Our aim is that the shorter and more focused assembly will allow for better concentration and participation, as well as a better opportunity for our students to shine.
We will continue to share important event dates, celebrations, sporting news, reminders and other information via our main social media accounts on Facebook & Twitter. If you haven’t done so already please take the time to ‘like’ or ‘follow’ us on these sites for an easy way to keep up to date.

NAPLAN
Next month students across the country in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 will be assessed using common national tests in Reading, Writing, Language Conventions (Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation) and Numeracy. The results from these tests will further assist us in making sure that we are meeting the needs of our students. That may be through identifying students who require additional support and extension, or identifying areas of focus for future curriculum goals and planning for our staff.
Please remember NAPLAN is a snapshot of knowledge on a particular day in a particular area; it doesn’t show many, many things about students. NAPLAN doesn’t show that many of our students speak one or more languages other than English. It doesn’t show that our students love working with their buddies, their love of creativity in Art & Drama, their passion and commitment in sporting teams, their angelic singing in our School Choir, challenging themselves as an ICT Leader, their care and attention for our School Chickens, or any of our Student Leadership roles. NAPLAN doesn’t take into account that at times our students assist with taking care of brothers/sisters, parents or other family members. It also doesn’t show the pride our students take in being part of Glengala Primary School.
If your child is in Year 3 or Year 5 and you DO NOT want them to sit NAPLAN, please let their teachers or Sam Fleming know as soon as possible. We need parents to sign a form in order to withdraw their child from testing.

Mother’s Day Stall
The Mothers’ Day stall will be held on Thursday next week. There is a range of gifts that your child may purchase. This year we are also having a Mother’s Day raffle with a beautiful basket of goodies up for grabs. Tickets can be purchased from the office between now and next Friday morning.

Uniform – SunSmart Hats
Thank you to students and staff who have worn their Glengala SunSmart hat since the beginning of the year. From next Tuesday 1st of May we no longer need to wear SunSmart hats whenever we are outside. If students still want to wear a hat to school, they can, however they must still wear a Glengala hat as it forms part of our uniform. Students are also reminded that if they are wearing a long sleeved top under their shirt it must be the colour of their school shirt (either Navy Blue or Sky Blue) without any other logos or writing on it. If you’re experiencing difficulties with obtaining uniform please visit the office and we will be able to provide assistance.

School Tours & Enrolments
Tours of our school for families interested in enrolling their child in 2019 have begun. If you would like a tour, have friends or neighbours who would like a tour please contact the school 9311 7810 or email glengala.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au to book a place.
Information sessions for families with children due to commence Foundation (Prep) in 2019 have also been arranged for Education Week. Please see dates to remember for time and dates of sessions.
If you have questions, feedback or are experiencing any difficulties please don’t hesitate to give Sam or myself a call, send us an email or come and have a chat.

Kris White
Principal
white.kris.k@edumail.vic.gov.au