AGM

 Principal’s Report for 2019

The beginning of the 2019 school year saw Belle Vue commence with an enrolment of 197 students, spread across 9 classrooms. We continued to provide a warm, safe and engaging learning environment for all our students at Belle Vue – catering for the many varied needs of our students. We worked together with the wider community to ensure that our children feel supported.

Our staffing profile at the beginning of 2019 comprised:

Prep W – Ms Clare Woodhouse

1/2A – Mr Andrew Robinson

1/2B – Ms Brigitte Raymond

1/2D – Ms Rachael De Prada

3/4D – Ms Tanya Donaldson

3/4 G – Miss Gemma Grimmond

3/4W – Mr Carl Ward (Higher Duties)

5/6G – Mr Bryce Griesheimer

5/6B – Ms Sophia Bubner

Art – Ms Leanne Anstee

Phys Ed – Mr Carney Kucharski

LOTE (Italian) – Signorina Andria Piacentini

Music – Mrs Stacey Paterson

Computer (ICT) – Mr Ric Zalewski

Education Support Staff – Mrs Deidre Timms, Mrs Loree Spong and Mrs Chantal Maslamoney

Library Technician – Mrs Emma Pringle

Groundsman – Mr Leo Cooper

Out of Hours School Care Coordinator –Jasnarinder Kaur (Camp Australia)

Business Manager – Ms Annette Bruce

Principal – Ms Cathy Caminiti

      *EAL/Classroom support – Mrs Helen Stafford

At the end of 2019 we said farewell to Sophia Bubner who took up a position at Eltham College and to Helen Stafford who is keen to pursue more travel (but will be seen around the school in a CRT capacity). On behalf of the Belle Vue Primary School community I wish both Sophia and Helen all the very best in their new and exciting ventures.

Our teaching staff deserve to be congratulated on the planning and implementation of the curriculum throughout 2019 and in their efforts to provide a vast array of extra-curricular activities for our students to participate in, ensuring we provide a well-rounded curriculum that caters for the ‘whole child’. These programs are only possible due to the commitment and dedication of our hard working staff.

As a result of circumstances involving a challenging enrolment in 2018/9 – School Council stepped in to provide, and seek, support for the principal, staff and students through contact with the Regional Director – Terry Bennett; Area Leader – Barb Crowe and Senior Improvement Education Leader – Irene Harding. Part of the agreement reached between Regional staff and Council resulted in ex Principal Ernie Pietsch being appointed to assist with this difficult situation. Ernie, although appointed by region for 20 days only, continued his work with the staff and principal for the remainder of 2019 (in a part time capacity). Ernie has been instrumental in working with Cathy to develop collaborative working teams across the school, and start the change process in our whole school strategic framework – a very exciting time!

In concluding staffing related issues, I wish to acknowledge the outstanding work of Annette Bruce in all that she does in her many roles as Business Manager (administration, personnel, secretary, first aid officer and HR!). I feel very fortunate to have her as my support.

Staff Professional Learning

In line with our 2017 – 2020 Strategic Plan – 2018 saw a focus on Building Teacher Capacity in particular with the work surrounding the FISO Communities of Practice on the High Impact teaching Strategies. All schools within the Network are keen to identify and improve quality of student learning and quality of teaching practice. It is a pleasure to share with other Network colleagues the current learning and teaching practices; and the collaborative team structures which occur at Belle Vue on a daily basis. As part of the FISO (Framework for Improving Student Outcomes) initiative, we formed a Community of Practice with 4 other schools within our network – Balwyn North, Greythorn and Deepdene Primary – as each of these schools had a focus on Building Teacher capacity in their Annual Implementation Plans (AIP). The four schools worked on sharing best practice as a whole school and in levels; identifying 4 out of the 10 High Impact teaching Strategies to focus on as a collective.

Outlined is an overview of the PL undertaken throughout the year:

• Collaborative Teams and the High Impact Teaching Strategies (HITS) professional development facilitated by Glen Pearsall with Balwyn North, Deepdene and Greythorn Primary Schools
• VIT Registration – Gemma and Sophia
• Writing – Data Analysis with Trish Fahy (Education Improvement Leader)
• Revisiting our PLC proforma – aligning it with the FISO Framework
• Developing an Instructional Teaching Model for Writing (incorporating the HITS) – facilitated by Trish Fahy
• CUST (Cultural Understanding and Safety Training)
• Performance and Development Plans
• Social and Emotional Learning – including YCDI, Resilience Rights and respectful Relationships
• YCDI – facilitated by founder Dr Michael Bernard
• Anaphylaxis training; and CPR update
• High Impact Teaching Strategies (FISO – Community of Practice Leaders – Bryce and Carl)
• High Impact Teaching Strategies (FISO – Community of Practice)- shared professional learning sessions with Balwyn North, Belle Vue and Greythorn Primary Schools (each term)
• Professional Readings and trialling of Strategies associated with the HITS – Glen Pearsall (Fast and Effective Assessment)
• Revisiting the implementation of the Writing Instructional Model – including data analysis
• NAPLAN and Teacher Judgement Data conversations – Leadership Team
• Peer Observation Process – ongoing (part of PDP)
• Mandatory Reporting Modules
• Protective Behaviours Training – 3 workshops
• AIP Audit and Analysis
• Strategic Plan Audit and Analysis (in preparation for the 2020 review)
• Victorian Principals Association (VPA) Conference – Cathy

As a result of the success we have seen in our Reading data, conversations turned to the Writing data and why we were not seeing the same level of success given that Writing has been a whole school focus for many years. Through breaking down the Reading Instructional Model – we were able to identify that we were not giving writing the same level of time, or structure, due to a number of contributing factors. (Parent reading in the mornings having the biggest impact on time). These professional discussions and data conversations led to a change in structure for the 2019 school day – ensuring we are utilising maximum learning time at the most crucial part of the day. Already we are seeing a significant, positive, change in students being ready to begin the days learning.

The teaching staff work collaboratively in curriculum planning and delivery reflecting a strong commitment to teamwork.   Equally, parents and teachers work in partnership to provide each child with rich learning experiences, optimising their potential and promoting a friendly, safe and secure learning environment over the seven years of their schooling.

Belle Vue continues to be recognised as a high performing school as evidenced by the Victorian Curriculum data and NAPLAN results for 2018 – especially when looking at relative growth compared to like schools. Belle Vue is a highly effective learning community providing challenging and varied learning opportunities. It is our goal that individual talents, interests and skills are identified, nurtured and developed so that all students achieve success, engendering a high sense of self confidence and a love of learning.

(Please see Annual Report 2019 for an overview of data sets)

Information and communication technology is successfully integrated into learning programs at all year levels. Each classroom is equipped with an interactive whiteboard and has access to a bank of lap top computers. Our students have access to a variety of challenging educational software programs and learning support equipment (e.g. multimedia projectors, digital cameras, flip cameras, laptops). Ric Zalewski, ICT technician, began working with all grades (Prep – 6) on Robotics and Coding. This proved to be highly successful with each class inviting parents/grandparents/carers in to participate in a coding workshop, as well as showcase their work at the end of the year.

While catering for all ability levels and learning styles, the focus has been on students achieving the best possible learning outcomes in Literacy and Numeracy. Our integrated units of work and our capacity to provide high quality specialist programs have provided every child with the opportunity to experience success. A number of support programs have also been provided for those students who present in our weaker cohort in Reading and English as an Additional Language.

All students participated in the Italian, Physical Education, Visual and Performing Arts Programs. Students celebrated Multicultural Day and participated in house events – cross country, athletics and swimming. All students contributed to the annual Art Exhibition and were a part of the highly regarded mid -year performance, ‘The Practical Princess’, held at the Karralyka Theatre in Ringwood. A large number of students participated in private instrumental lessons – run by Junior Rockers. Students also had the opportunity to participate in junior and senior choirs. These students performed at our Friday afternoon Performance Assemblies, local kindergartens and at the Market Night held in December.

Maintenance Works

• Library works – internal
• Application for fencing upgrade through the Emergency Maintenance Program
• New fencing and seating outside veggie garden and Library
• New seating between Library and Hall

Before and After Care (Camp Australia)

Our Out of School Hours Care Program for term 4 of 2019 has shown a slight increase in enrolments in both before and after care and is well managed and resourced by Camp Australia. Jasnarinda Kaur continues to do an excellent job of coordinating the Out of Hours Care Program. Camp Australia administer and manage the program on behalf of the school.

 Hire of Facilities

• Greek School – all areas including Library and Hall on Monday evening 5 – 9pm
• Sports Star Academy – Tuesday and Thursday afternoons

 Marketing

• LED Sign – daily
• My First Child – Boroondara and Manningham Editions (monthly)
• Progress Leader – Boroondara and Manningham Education Week
• My First day of Prep – Boroondara Progress Leader
• Chinese Directory (1 year subscription)
• Real Estate Boards – school fence line throughout the year. Manningham Council areas and Veneto Club beginning of year, Manningham private residence – intermittently.
• Clare Woodhouse and the Transition team worked with local kinders – visits to Yarraleen, Vista Valley, Glass Street and Belle Vue (taking prep students to talk about what it’s like in prep). Closer work with Belle Vue Kinder – reciprocal visits and visits to mid-year performance rehearsals.
• Education Week Information Evening – was well attended (although the impending NEL was a topic of discussion)
• School Tours – (Tuesday and Thursday)

All staff continue to promote the school through their learning programs via school website and newsletters, in order to increase our profile within the local (Boroondara and Manningham) community.

P and F

The Belle Vue Parent’s and Friends (P & F) was less active in 2019 as compared to previous years, with many of our parent community returning to work in a full time capacity.

Caroline Downey continued to be highly actively, along with Angie Kotsonis and Allison Freame, in organising the parents who were able to volunteer their time to run the various activities held throughout the year. As well as supporting curriculum and facility initiatives the P & F can be thanked for their organisation of a wide variety of community events and activities. A snippet of these have included Fathers and Mother’s Day stalls, weekly lunches, icy pole sales, parents Trivia Night and other school community events. Due to the diminishing numbers of parent volunteers – Friday lunches were in jeopardy of ceasing. Term 4 saw the P&F trial Classroom Cuisine as a replacement option for Friday lunches. This proved to be very successful, with the option to order increasing to Wednesdays as well.

I would also like to make a special mention of Amanda Wintle who also gave generously of her time taking on the weekly banking (alongside Kim McCormick) and Book Club Orders for students and teachers;Katrina Tuscano for coordinating the basketball teams and Spiros Lefteriotis, who led Running Club each Monday morning at 8:15am.

The efforts of our hard working parents’ group not only fund-raise considerable amounts of money, but provide enjoyment for all students and a variety of social opportunities for all parents and staff. Highlights of the 2019 school year were the very successful Welcome BBQ – with our very own school leaders running activities to entertain the students, a fantastic community/family event, the Trivia Night fundraising event in August, a successful night for just the adults, held in the newly renovated Hall and lastly our (now annual) Belle Vue Twilight Market – which was a fabulous community event and a great way to celebrate the end of the school year.

 School Council

Last year the Belle Vue Primary School community was well served by a hardworking and supportive School Council. Thanks again to all Council members for the support and involvement in Council. It is a challenge to keep people informed and discuss the complex issues involved in school policies, operations and accountability when we only meet for a few of hours twice a term. Council members give of their valuable time and endeavour to assist the effective running of the school when faced with such a vast amount of information. We are fortunate that we have a council that works together for the greater good of our school community.  A special thank you to Paulina Priomos and Minaxi Dalu, whose children have all moved into secondary school; and to Christian Stewart who has taken his family on a ‘tree change’ and moved to Beechworth – their support, time and valuable input into council and our community is very much appreciated.

Whilst we recognise and value the efforts of all school council members, each bringing valuable skill sets to council – a particular thanks must go to Kim McCormick in her role as School Council President. Kim has been a tremendous asset in her role – supporting, challenging and at times being an impartial sounding board, for some of the more complex issues that arise on a day to day basis. Kim was instrumental in putting together the schools submission to NEL’s announcement of the Corridor A option, ensuring that we were being considered in its decision making processes. She was made the time to support us at the Independent Inquiry in September last year.

Kim has been on council for a number of years – (8 to be exact!) and has decided to step down, allowing other members of the community to step in. Kim will be greatly missed – her knowledge base, understanding, confidentiality and efficiency is something that we have greatly valued. Thank you for giving so generously of your time.

Cathy Caminiti

Principal