Front page of this weeks newsletter

Dear Parents, Carers and Community Members

2012 has been a wonderful year with many excellent activities and so much learning taking place. The students at our school are great to work with and they are all a credit to you their parents and carers. Special thanks need to go to all our parents and carers who actively supported the school through their participation in the P&C as well as other key activities throughout the year e.g. Garden volunteer helpers.

Our staff are also a fantastic group of dedicated professionals who care very much about your children and work tirelessly to see them achieve to their full potential. I want to thank all our staff for their hard work in 2012. I would like to especially recognise Mrs Hick (our Registrar) who has helped make our transition into an Independent Public School so smooth.

It is at this time of year that we often say goodbye to people who are moving on. Mr Kettell is one of those people who will be taking up a teaching position at Subiaco Primary school in 2013. Mrs Matthews will also be leaving at the end of this term. I want to thank these teachers for their work at our school and wish them all the best for their future careers. Mr Kettell will be replaced by Mrs Ruth Rice.

For those who don’t already know, I will be participating in the Teacher Exchange program in 2013 but will return as Principal in 2014. Mrs vanderWal and Mr Ralph will step into the Principal’s position while I am away. I will be teaching a Year 6/7 class at Okanagan Landing School in Vernon, British Columbia (Canada). I hope to stay in touch with everyone and will endeavour to keep you all posted about my adventures on my blog http://mbevancanada.blogspot.com.au . I will not post to my regular blog while I am away http://mbevan.blogspot.com.au . My exchange partner is Mr Aaron Hoffman.

For the students and families that are leaving our school I wish you all the very best for the future. This school has a long and rich history which you are a part of. I hope your memories of Tuart Hill Primary School are fond ones and that you will remember with pride the days that you spent here.

Holiday Quote “Celebrate the happiness that friends are always giving, make every day a holiday and celebrate just living.” Amanda Bradley

For those returning next year, I wish you all a happy Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year.

Stephen Bevan

Principal

Carols by Candlelight

Mrs Mount-Bryson and Mrs Hick serving sausages

 Last night we held our annual Carols by Candlelight in the school Hall. The night commenced with a sausage sizzle followed by a great time of singing and fun. Mrs Mount-Bryson did a great job of leading the singing. Our P&C provided candles and plenty of food and drinks for everyone.

We esteimated that there were approximately 200 people at the carols night which is a superb turn out. Many thanks go to the parents, family members, students and staff for coming along.


Me cooking sausages



One of our students dressed for the season

Mrs vanderWal did a great job as our photographer

Ho Ho Ho!!

An artistic shot

Christmas Choir Excursion

 Last week our School Choir went on their annual Christmas Excursion which involved them singing at our local shopping centre followed by three aged care facilities around the northern suburbs. The choir presented a number of traditional and contemporary carols which were very well received.

This excursion is a highlight of the year for the choir as well as for the residents of the aged care facilities. We have been approached by other centres to arrange choir performances but cannot squeeze anymore into one day. The students were also rewarded on the day with a lunch at McDonalds.

Many thanks go to Mrs Mount-Bryson and Mrs vanderWal for organising this wonderful activity this year.

 As part of the activity the students spend time talking to residents. This was very challenging for some of our students who were upset by the physical appearance of some residents, many of which suffer from dementia and other ailments. However, this is a powerful learning experience as well as a great opportunity for our students to brighten the lives of elderly people who are sometimes very lonely and depressed.

 The staff and residents were very impressed with our students and rewarded them with plenty of cordial and treats.

Ed Magazine Today

Our Year 7 literacy program was again promoted in the media, this time in the West Australian Ed Magazine liftout. Well done Mrs Dewing, Mrs Snart and our awesome Year 7 students. Special thanks goes to Norman Jorgensen for being involved and writing such a wonderful novel!

Year 7 Excursion Promoted Again

Our Year 7 excursion to Rottnest has been promoted once again, this time in the Stirling Times.

Parent Survey Explanation

The previous post contained data from our recent parent survey. Unfortunately, this blog site has difficulty displaying it neatly but I hope you are able to see the scores on the far right of your screen.

The data is very positive. The one area that received 'moderate support' was the question related to whether the school has a bullying problem. Bullying is a very emotive topic that is not well understood by many people. Bullying does not include all the disagreements, arguments or friendship/relationship difficulties that students may experience from time to time. These are a natural part of being a social person in a school environment. Bullying is the ongoing, sustained behaviours that threaten or intimidate and often result in students being anxious, fearful and not wanting to attend school. They involve one person or a group exherting power over another. Bullying that is not dealt with effectively can have long term effects on a person's health and wellbeing.

Every school has bullies and deals regularly with bullying. This is recognised by the Department of Education who require all schools to include a statement in their Behaviour Management Policy on how they will manage bullying. The extent to which the bullying in a school can be labelled a 'problem' can be argued. I have worked in many schools (some with significant bullying issues) and in relative terms can confidently state that the bullying behaviours reported at Tuart Hill Primary are rare. This does not mean bullying is not a problem for some students or their parents at our school. In all instances where bullying is determined to be happening we have very clear procedures and consequences for dealing with it.

Staff and students have also completed surveys. This data will be discussed by staff and specific areas of strength or concern (including bullying) identified. Strategies for improvement will then be established ready for next year.

Many thanks go to the 24 parents who took the time to complete the survey.

Parent Survey Information

Parent Surveys

Earlier this year parents were asked to complete a survey. Below is a copy of the survey data. We had 24 returns which represents approximately 9% of parents. This is a disappointing return.

Interpreting Mean Scores

When interpreting the average responses on the 4 point scale used in most questions in this survey, it is useful to remember that the mid-point of the range (that is a neutral response) is 2.5. In surveys of this nature it is customary for data to tend towards this mid-point. It is not possible to have average scores of 4.0 or 1.0 unless all people responding choose that number. In situations where most people choose (for example) 4, even small numbers of people choosing 1 will bring the average down markedly.

Accordingly it is suggested that readers use the following scale to interpret the average scores:

3.6 - 4.0	almost unanimous support for that item
3.1 - 3.5	strong support
2.8 - 3.0	moderate support
2.3 – 2.7	no clear picture (opinions divided)
2.0 - 2.2	moderate rejection of that item
1.5 – 1.9	strong rejection of that item
1.0 - 1.4	almost total rejection

  

Responses
Total Number of Responses				24
				Gender
Breakdown of Responses				Male	Female
				42%	58%
				Year
				K-3	75%
				4-7	25%

	Overall results and breakdown by gender								Mean Scores
										ALL	Male	Female
	SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT - The focus of this cluster is the overall culture of the school.
	It includes issues of behaviour, school pride, security, pastoral care & general tone of the school.
1	This school is well organised and runs smoothly.									3.3	3.3	3.2
2	This school encourages a sense of pride in achievement and a sense of self worth.									3.5	3.5	3.5
3	My child enjoys being at school.									3.5	3.6	3.5
4	Teachers and students at this school care about each other.									3.4	3.4	3.4
5	This school has clear goals and a positive school identity.									3.4	3.6	3.2
6	This is a safe and secure school.									3.3	3.3	3.2
7	This school does not have a bullying problem.									2.9	2.4	3.1
8	This school responds to issues of racism.									3.3	4.0	3.2
9	This school has high standards of student behaviour.									3.3	3.3	3.4
10	The rules and consequences relating to discipline are well understood by both staff and students.									3.4	3.5	3.3
11	The rules and consequences relating to discipline are enforced in a consistent manner.									3.5	3.7	3.3
12	This school strives for high academic standards.									3.4	3.4	3.4
13	This school has realistic educational expectations of my child.									3.3	3.4	3.2

	QUALITY OF TEACHING  - This cluster focuses on how the school's own teachers are
	perceived. It invites opinion about their attitudes and teaching skills.
14	My child receives help from teachers when he/she experiences difficulty learning.									3.3	3.3	3.3
15	Teachers at this school are professional, committed and enthusiastic.									3.6	3.7	3.5
16	The staff and students at this school respect each other.									3.3	3.5	3.2
17	Teachers at this school treat my child fairly.									3.4	3.5	3.4
18	My child’s teachers provide a stimulating learning environment and make school work interesting and enjoyable.									3.5	3.6	3.5
19	My child is encouraged to achieve to the best of his/her ability.									3.5	3.7	3.4
20	My child’s teachers have a thorough understanding of what they teach.									3.6	3.6	3.5
21	There is effective behaviour management in my child’s classes.									3.4	3.6	3.3
22	Teachers at this school care about how my child is going.									3.4	3.4	3.4
	COMMUNICATION  - This cluster focuses on two way communication between school and
	community.
23	I receive helpful information about my child’s progress and achievement levels.									3.2	3.3	3.1
24	I feel well informed about the activities of this school and its students.									3.2	3.2	3.1
25	I am informed promptly if my child has a problem.									3.1	3.1	3.2
26	The school reports I receive about my child are informative and easy to understand.									3.3	3.3	3.2
27	This school’s staff are approachable and are willing to talk about my child’s progress.									3.5	3.4	3.5
28	Staff at this school address my concerns.									3.3	3.2	3.3
29	I am given opportunities to have a say about this school.									3.2	3.1	3.2
30	This school’s goals are consistent with those I have for my child.									3.3	3.4	3.1
	CURRICULUM OUTCOMES & RESPONSIVENESS - This cluster focuses on the range, depth
	& relevance of learning opportunities made available to students.
31	This school assists my child with the development of understandings and skills that he/she will need beyond school.									3.3	3.3	3.3
32	At this school my child is able to learn how to solve problems, to question and to make decisions.									3.2	3.1	3.2
33	This school assists with the development of my child's personal and social skills.									3.3	3.4	3.3
34	This school encourages achievement across a broad range of areas.									3.3	3.4	3.2
35	This school is meeting the educational needs of my child.									3.3	3.3	3.3
36	Teachers at this school motivate my child to want to learn.									3.3	3.2	3.3
37	At this school, my child’s interests and talents are being developed.									3.3	3.4	3.2
38	Overall, I am satisfied with my child’s educational progress at this school.									3.2	3.3	3.1
39	Teachers’ knowledge is of a high order with staff being up-to-date in their understanding of educational trends and issues.									3.4	3.3	3.5
40	The school values the role of parents in the educational process.									3.4	3.3	3.4
41	The school seeks parents’ opinions about educational programs.									3.2	3.0	3.3