Student Behaviour and Wellbeing @ Evatt

Evatt has recently been reviewing its behaviour and wellbeing policies and procedures. The way students behave in school is strongly correlated with their eventual outcomes. 

When schools have strong behaviour management processes:

• students achieve more academically and socially 

• time is reclaimed for better and more learning 

• staff satisfaction improves, retention is higher, recruitment is less problematic

Today we have run two parent information sessions where we shared our vision for behaviour and wellbeing at Evatt. At the core of this is a big lift in behavioural expectations across the school, and strong systems to support students reach them. 

One of the common questions we’ve had is for greater clarity on our “hands off” policy. Evatt has always had the “hands off feet off” rule, which can be seen on our Every Day @ Evatt expectation posters around the school. This year we have done some work fine tuning what this means, so there is less confusion for students and staff. As part of this, we’re transitioning to the language “safe hands safe feet”.

We are supporting our students to understand what ‘safe hands and feet’ looks like at Evatt Primary school, particularly during break times. 

Appropriate touch during break times looks like:

• Touch for communication (high fives, fist bumps, handshakes)

• Touch for kindness (helping someone up, comforting someone in need etc.)

A big part of this is teaching students the concept of consent. 

Games that involve physical contact are provided to students in a structured way, supported by an adult.

For example, students play dodgeball as part of our Active Play program, soccer during our daily refereed matches and tips as part of our structured tips program that has recently launched. 

We will be running two more information sessions next week (04/04), if you would like to attend, please register here: https://forms.gle/8By3wXvBAmP5HwGn8

We are also developing a package for families that further explains the schools vision. This will be available sometime next term. 

As always, if you have any questions, please touch base with school leadership who are always happy to sit down and discuss. 

Student Learning Resources (previously known as bookpacks)

During the school holidays we have sourced all of the stationary, supplies and resources required to support your child's learning for 2024. With a goal of keeping costs to a minimum + saving parents and carers time sourcing themselves, we have purchased the supplies in bulk and will provide them to the students as required throughout the year. We have ensured the purchase of high quality resources. Some of these supplies include: workbooks, pencils, pens, textas, glue sticks, scissors, rubbers, sharpeners, rulers, scissors, tissues + a large amount of specific resources required for Art, Science, Technology, Mathematics, Sustainability and Literacy.

We encourage all parents/carers to pay for the learning resource requirements for their child(ren). An amount of $70 per student will cover these costs for the year. 

Voluntary Contributions

All ACT Government Schools ask families for the payment of voluntary contributions. These funds are extremely valuable for ensuring that the school can provide an enhanced learning experience for all students. We will continue to prioritise our voluntary contributions to a new PA system for our school hall.  

As we did last year in consultation with our School Board,  we are not going to put an expected dollar amount on the voluntary contributions.

Previously the contribution was $120 for one child, $220 for two children or $290 for three or more children. 

If you nominate your voluntary contribution to the library fund this amount is tax deductible. 

Payments can be made by cash, Eftpos at the Front Office, or by Direct Deposit. 

Contacting the P&C

Messages for the Evatt School P&C can be sent to evattpspc@gmail.com or connect on Facebook.

Contacting the School Board

Messages for the Evatt School Board can be sent to info@evattps.act.edu.au.