Welcome back to Term 2! Hopefully all our students and their families had a safe, happy and relaxing break from school. I’ve heard many stories of the fun and interesting experiences students and their families had over the break. Staff have returned rested and ready for an action packed term. Thank you to everyone who have contributed to the smooth and positive start to term. We have many engaging whole school and Learning Space specific events, excursions, incursions coming up this term. Along with all these goings on we have reports to complete, with these being distributed in the last week of term via Compass. The last week of term will also see 3 Way Conferences being held. More information regarding 3 Way Conferences will be provided closer to the date of these conferences.
ANZAC DAY – Lest We Forget
Tomorrow is ANZAC Day, 25th April each year marks the anniversary of the Australian and New Zealand forces landing at Gallipoli and is the day we remember the sacrifice of those who have served in war. Our school will be represented at the Sunshine RSL ANZAC Day service by members of our Junior School Council. JSC reps will lay a wreath on behalf of our school at this service. We will hold our ANZAC Day ceremony as part of our Assembly on Friday afternoon.
Learning about ANZAC Day helps us connect with Australian history and understand the importance of this national day of remembrance. It also helps to understand the life and times of Australia and its people. By building understanding about the traditions, facts and folklore of ANZAC Day, the many stories of sacrifices and heroism of everyday Australians will not be lost, but be handed down to future generations.
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. Year 3 and 5 students at Glengala will be undertaking NAPLAN over 2 weeks beginning Tuesday 14th May. 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 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 5 and you DO NOT want them to sit NAPLAN, please let Sam Fleming know ASAP. We need a form signed in order to withdraw any child from testing.
Mothers’ Day Stall & Event
The Mothers’ Day stall will be held on Thursday 9th May. There is a range of gifts that your child may purchase. These will include items not labelled with mum or mother to allow for students buying gifts for other special females in their life. This year we are also having a special Mothers’ Day event on Friday 10th May, details coming out next week.
Uniform – SunSmart Hats
Thank you to students and staff who have worn their Glengala SunSmart hats since the beginning of the year. From next Wednesday 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 should be able to provide assistance.
School Tours & Enrolments
Tours of our school for families interested in enrolling their child in 2020 have begun. If you would like a tour, have friends or neighbours who would like a tour please contact the school 9311 7810 or glengala.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au to book a place.
Information sessions for families with children due to commence Foundation (Prep) in 2020 have also been arranged for Monday 13th of May.
If you have questions, feedback or are experiencing any difficulties please don’t hesitate to give Sam, Sam or myself a call, send us an email or come and have a chat.
Kris White
Principal