Teacher learning this week

At our Curriculum Day on Monday, teachers learnt about the Universal Design for Learning, created a Whole-School Action Plan for Writing and looked at responses to behaviours, as part of our School Wide Positive Behaviour Support Program. Thanks to Renee, Scott and Margot who led this learning for teachers and Education Support Staff.

Universal Design for learning: Supporting all students

Renee led professional learning for Teachers and Education Support Staff on Disability and Inclusion through the Neurodiversity framework. The Disability Inclusion Reforms committed to by the Department of Education are actionable steps designed in response to findings from the Disability Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability.

The reforms are underpinned by a systemic cultural change to see disability through the lens of a social model – where variation and difference is a natural part of the human existence – as opposed to the current medical model of disability which is based on diagnostic criteria triggering intervention.

In the past, disabilities have been seen through the medical model as deficits, or medical conditions to be prevented, treated or fixed. Through the social model, disabled people are seen as normal, valid varieties of human beings and should have equal rights and access to society, just as they are. A person is disabled by their environment and its physical, attitudinal, communication and social barriers. There is no right or wrong brain. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. One in 50 people are Autistic, and many Autistic people have poor employment and mental health outcomes. 

Language is important: rather than describing people as having special or additional needs, we talk about different needs, or access needs.

The way people describe themselves is their choice. Autistic people may be happy to share they are Autistic or may not. Teachers will work with families to ensure that your needs are respected.

The DET has been working on using the social model and, as part of that work, schools now look at adjustments that are made in the curriculum or class environment to support students with different needs. Some of these are differentiated teaching or may be extensive. There is now additional funding for supports, which is changing the way we can do things in our schools.

We also learnt about the Universal Design for Learning, which enables all students to flourish.

It includes:

• Multiple means of Engagement

• Multiple means of representation

• Multiple means of Action and Expression

Teachers worked on using these in their current Inquiry planners.

School Wide Positive Behaviour Supports

Staff worked on our responses to minor and major behaviours at our curriculum day. 

Noticings in the yard this term: there has been lots of positive engagement in using the sports equipment with friends, students building new friendships, as well as students letting teachers know when they see other children following our school values. 

Our big SWPBS news: We have reached our whole-school goal of 1000 Values cards!

Stay tuned while students choose how we celebrate. Each class has come up with suggestions and these will be voted on. We aim to celebrate next Thursday from 12:30-3:30.

Lantern Walk Thursday 22nd 5-8pm

Don't forget our Lantern Walk next Thursday!

 Bring a bowl or cup, and spoon. Soup will be served from just after 5pm, with the lantern walk commencing at 6pm. There will also be dessert!

If you have volunteered to help, please see Clare. You can pay by cash or card.

If you wish to pre-purchase a lantern for a sibling or family member, please see Rosie in the office on Tuesday.

Extra raffle tickets will be sent home with children today. Please sell as many as you can and return them next week!

From the Office

Parent Opinion Survey: Don't forget to do the survey!

WE WANT OUR PARENTS / CAREGIVERS / GUARDIANS TO TELL US WHAT THEY THINK! 

Our school is conducting the annual Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey offered by the Department of Education and is seeking your feedback. The survey is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of families’ perceptions of school climate, student behaviour, and student engagement. The survey is optional, but we encourage and appreciate your participation. This survey is an important tool that is used by staff and School Council to see what we are doing well and how we can improve. Please take the time to fill it out. 

Our school will use the survey results to assist in identifying areas for improvement and professional development needs in the school, to target school planning and improvement strategies. 

The Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey will be open online from Monday 29 July to Friday 30 August 2024.

All families are invited to participate in the survey. You will receive an email with the link and pin to access the survey.

The survey will be conducted online, only takes 20 minutes to complete, and can be accessed at any convenient time on desktop computers, laptops, tablets or smartphones. 

The results are reported in our school newsletter and to our School Council.

Please speak to Bernadette if you would like more information.

New payment method available

We now have a Square machine in the office as an alternative payment to Compass/cash. At this stage, payments can be accepted on Tuesdays, Thursdays or Fridays.

Mid-winter Raffle: Tickets $2 each or 3 for $5

The raffle will be drawn at the Lantern Walk, next Thursday 22nd of August.

We would love to sell some more tickets! Please collect ticket booklets from the office.

Prizes: 

Trailer load of firewood

$100 petrol vouchers

Laura Veleff ceramics

Muesli Bars

Are you able to give up half an hour a week/month to help make muesli slices with our Green Team? Our slices are so successful we seem to be making a batch every day, and need some parent helpers to make this a sustainable option!

Hands on Learning

Over the last two weeks, the team has been designing and making an Olympic Cauldron for our mini-Olympics. First, we looked around the shed to find some leftover materials, then we experimented with different designs. Once we had decided on a design together, we cut and painted the pallet and wooden planks. Lastly, we spray-painted the structure, made some Olympic rings out of paper plates and electrical tape, and finally added some flames.  Like at every Olympics, the Cauldron was a great centrepiece around which the Games were played. 

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/

Anti-racism https://racismnoway.com.au/ https://alltogethernow.org.au/racism/racism-in-schools/how-to-discuss-racism-with-children/ 

Reconciliation Week 2024 Now more than ever https://www.reconciliation.org.au/now-more-than-ever-nrw-2024/ 

Treaty https://www.firstpeoplesrelations.vic.gov.au/treaty

Wararak and Gurruk time

Silver wattle and magpie time

July-August – The cool weather continues, but some warmer days arrive. The bush comes alive with the sight and smell of flowering wattles and the call of many birds. 

Gurruk (Australian Magpie) begin to construct nests for raising young. Water Ribbon tubers are roasted and eaten. Flowering Early Nancy signal that the eggs of Black Swans are ready for collection. The wood from some wattle species can be used for making tools. 

Early Nancy and Scented Sundews form white carpets on slopes and hilltops at places like Kalimna Park, the Muckleford Nature Conservation Reserve and the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park. Wararak (Silver Wattle) bursts into flower along the Loddon River and Campbells and Forest Creeks.  

• Water Ribbon tubers flower and seed along rivers and creeks

• Migratory Cuckoos (Fan-tailed, Pallid, Shining Bronze and Horsfield’s Bronze) arrive and begin calling for the breeding season

• Many Acacia species burst into flower including  Wayi-Galk (Golden), Wararak (Silver), Rough and Woolly Wattles  

• Rakali (Water-rat) mate

• Early Nancy and Scented Sundews form white carpets on slopes and hilltops.

The Dja Dja Wurrung seasons were compiled by Uncle Rick Nelson and Karl Just, with contributions from Frances Cincotta, Elaine Bayes, Damien Cook, Tanya Loos, Geoff Park, Cassia Read and Trace Balla. More information on Mt Alexander Shire Council's website.