On Sunday 3 December 2023, we celebrate International Day of People with Disability 

The day gives us an opportunity to recognise the vital contributions of people with disability across our communities. It offers a chance for us to recommit to our work to make the world better and fairer for people with disability, and to ensure their voices are heard. Chewton Primary celebrates everyone in our school community. We acknowledge our neurodiverse community. We celebrate neurodiversity and promote positive relationships that respect and accept individual differences and diversity within the whole community.

We address disablist bullying and are responsive to the views of disabled children and young people. Our staff show leadership in valuing differences between children and we teach about the adjustments we make to ensure everyone experiences success. We acknowledge the findings of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (Disability Royal Commission), which has been recently handed down and commit to being an inclusive school. Our Inclusion Policy can be found on our website.

COVID Information

As you will know there are high numbers of COVID in the community at present. We ask you to keep your child at home if they have any cold or flu symptoms and recommend a RAT test. We have RAT tests available at the school. Please call in to the office to get a pack or ring to request one. Face masks are available for students and staff.

Management of COVID-19 in schools

It is recommended that staff members, students or visitors who have symptoms of cold, influenza or COVID-19 undergo testing for COVID-19.

Parents of symptomatic students should be asked to collect their child from school and keep them home until they are no longer symptomatic.

The Department of Health recommends that staff and students who test positive for COVID-19 isolate for a minimum of 5 days and do not attend school until their symptoms resolve.

If well enough, students should be supported in the same way as students with an extended absence due to illness or injury, with learning material provided to support their continued learning.

Schools must treat health information, including positive COVID-19 test results, in accordance with the Schools’ Privacy Policy.

COVID-19 diagnoses are not to be shared or discussed unless the individual (or their parent/carer) provides consent, or unless schools are legally obliged or authorised to do so.

National COVID-19 phone line

A dedicated COVID-19 advice phone line is available for the general public: Phone: 1800 020 080
Hours: 24 hours 7 days a week

More information is available on the Department of Health website

What's happening in 3-4-5?

In Inquiry this term, Grade 3/4/5’s have been conducting experiments to explore how forces work. Today students investigated how a toy car travel’s over different types of surfaces. They had to make a prediction and measure the distance it travelled and had to explain why some surfaces were faster than others.

What's happening in 5-6?

Staff, Parent and Student Surveys

This year we had a very low number of parents fill out the Parent Opinion Survey, which means we did not get an accurate picture of what we are doing well and how we can improve. Thanks to those of you who were able to fill out the survey. Early in 2024 we will send out a brief questionaire for you to fill out to assist us with this. 

The general school satisfaction was  83%. 

Our Student Attitude to School Survey showed a large increase in Stimulated Learning , Help Seeking and Perseverance and Motivation.  Areas for us to continue to work in are Student Voice & Agency and Self Regulation and Goal Setting.

NAPLAN

Strengths in 2023

87% of our Year 5 students are ranked Exceeding or Strong in Reading, well above State at 77%.

79% of our Year 5 students are ranked Exceeding or Strong in Writing (State level 75%)

Our grade 3 students are ranked Exceeding or Strong in Numeracy (100% - State 67%)  and Writing (80%- State 78%)

In 2024 we will be working on boosting the number of students in the Exceeding proficiency level in all areas, with a particular focus on Writing and Mathematics.

Staff will undergo professional learning in Writing with Narissa Leung and the 6+1 traits, and with our Numeracy Leader Miki Gillespie to develop rich and authentic tasks in our maths lessons each day.

Kimochis focus

For the remainder of the term we are focusing on the Keys to Communication: How to get someone's attention, using talking voice, face and body, using kind words and redoing hurtful moments.

This time of year is such a busy one for all our families. We have so much to do in the lead up to Christmas, our children are tired and it can be easy to be grumpy with each other, or just to let things go.

At school we are focusing on good communicaiton skills.  Feel free to use these at home. If you would like a printed copy let us know and we will be happy to provide this

Community Notices

 First Peoples Connections and information

Djaara (Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation)  https://djadjawurrung.com.au/

DJAARA - Home | Facebook Nalderun Education Aboriginal Corporation https://nalderun.net.au/

Uluru Statement https://ulurustatement.org/the-statement/ Voice https://www.firstpeoplesvic.org/treaty/voice/ Treaty https://www.firstpeoplesrelations.vic.gov.au/treaty