What a fantastic day our Athletics Carnival was last Friday. The willingness of students to participate and encourage their peers to do their best was brilliant. A huge thank you to all parents and carers who attended on the day; your presence made the day exceptionally memorable day for our students, your children. The organisation and the smooth operations on the day were a credit not only to the organisers, but to our staff who gave their all, for the entire day, as did the Parklands High School students who, in their dedication and enthusiasm were a credit to themselves and their community. Some of our Year 3-6 students will have the opportunity to represent our school at the North-West Primary Schools Sports Association (NWPSSA) Carnivals next week. We wish them well and are sure they will make us all proud by practising our school expectations while representing our school.

Our Year 3 and 5 students will shortly be participating in NAPLAN testing. We ask that parents support their children by simply reassuring them that the only requirement is that they give their best.

Over the last few years our school has worked hard to develop our Behaviour Support Processes (see diagram included in this newsletter). Underpinning this work has been our Whole School Agreed Inclusive Practices. In this newsletter, I would like to share one ofAgreed Inclusive Practices:

“Staff aspire to display an unconditional positive regard for students, parents and each other at Havenview Primary School, so everyone feels a sense of belonging to our school. Whole school recognition systems are in place to recognise students, staff and community members who go ‘above and beyond’ our DECYP values. Students are also recognised for meeting and excelling at displaying our expectations.”

Our staff continually aspire to ensure every student (and parent and community member) feels welcome and that they belong at Havenview Primary School. One of the ways we have done this is our ‘Above and Beyond’ stars where members of our school community are recognised for going above and beyond in displaying the DECYP values of Connection, Respect, Growth, Responsibility, and Courage. These awards are presented at our Monday Morning Meetings and a star with the students’ name and achievement are displayed in our main corridor. They are further celebrated on our Facebook page. I encourage parents and carers to have a look at these stars to discover the fantastic efforts members of our school community have been putting in.

At a classroom level, we also have Expectation Cards where students are recognised for displaying our School Expectations:

We always do our best                                                                                                                                         

We are positive learners                                                                                                                                                    

We are respectful and caring and                                                                                                                                  

We act safely and responsibly.

I encourage all members of our school community to look for opportunities to recognise each other. Above and Beyond star nominations can be made to myself or Deb at the front office. I also encourage parents/carers to discuss with children what they have seen recognised at our school to encourage the positive culture we are continually striving to develop.

If you have any ideas for ways in which we can increase ‘belonging’ at Havenview Primary School myself, please share them with us. Together, we can make a difference!