We are courageous and resilient people at Havenview Primary - not even the cold and windy weather on Monday deterred our excursion to Sisters Beach on pinmatik country; rather it added to our experience. Students courageously shared their class constructed Acknowledgements of Country before we went exploring on the beach. With inquiring minds, we imagined life many thousands of years ago – what we would do and what we could use to survive. Christina (the Senior Curriculum Officer - Aboriginal Education) even shared with us how she had seen the juice of the pigface used as a medicine for a cut. I would encourage parents to take the chance when at the school to look at the wonderful displays our clever students have created in displaying the connection they made with this special place. And I also wish to express our gratitude to Christina Schleich, Charna Corona and Mrs Tammy Fenton for all their hard work preparing for this day. Thank you.

This week I would like to share some of our Student Wellbeing and Engagement Survey (SWES) data. This data is from the SWES our Grade 3 – 6 students completed earlier in the year. A quick scan tells us:

• 77% and 74% of our students identify as having medium or high wellbeing around Peer and School belonging*
• our students’ wellbeing around emotional regulation has improved by 12%
• our students’ wellbeing around school climate has improved by 12%
• our students’ wellbeing around nutrition – breakfast has improved by 14%
• there was a reduction of 21% in students having low wellbeing around engagement with their schoolwork.

* As a staff we have decided that it is important to raise the number of students in our school who report high wellbeing in Peer and School Belonging. As such, this is an identified area for us to focus on in 2023.

I would like to highlight a couple of events that we have coming up in the weeks before the end of the year. On Tuesday 29 November we will be welcoming parents and carers into the school to view our school’s Art Exhibition and the 4/5 students Expo for their Educational Research Projects (ERP). On this day, we will also be holding a volunteer recognition afternoon tea at 2:00pm in the multi-purpose room.

Additionally, on Monday 12 December at 1:30pm there will be a parent information session to explain Zones of Regulation and the fundamentals of Restorative Practice, facilitated by Mrs Nardia Broomhall from the Inclusive Practices team. I encourage all parents/carers who are available at this time to attend this session – language and knowledge shared between school and home benefits all children. Please let us know you will be attending by replying to the front office by Friday 9  December.

In preparation for 2023, we are seeking expressions of interest from family members, carers and the local community who would be available to participate in one-on-one reading sessions with, initially, our Kinder students. If you are keen to help our youngest students develop a love of reading, please talk to Ms Maartensz or leave your name at the office.

Regards

Duncan Murfet

Principal