Principal News

Dear parents,

As we enter the second half of term 2, we have many things to be grateful for and to look forward to within our school community.  Our amazing students are doing great things in the classroom, on the playground, in sport, music, chess, drama, library, STEM and the list goes on.  

However, traditionally, this part of the term can present challenges for our students as well.  Report cards will come home in the final week of term and therfore children may be very focussed on their studies at this point of the term.  Many are playing weekend sports in winter and training during the week, which is great, but may also leave less down time at home.  I know as a working parent, there is always something to do - check emails, make dinner, washing, making time to play etc etc.  The point being that our children have a lot to think about at this time of year.

Due to the above, we at St Saviour's Primary, believe that students will do well if they can.  Which means everyone at school has a part to play in establishing a positive atmostphere where your child/ren can be happy and can learn.

One aspect of this that we are working very hard on at the moment is reducing students' cognitive load by establishing really clear guidelines relating to behaviour and what all children are expected to do in different parts of the school and at different times during the day.

We have started with before school where all students are not expected to arrive prior to 8am (unless at OSHC).  Between 8am and 8.30am they are to sit outside the Mercy Centre until a teacher is on duty at 8.10am where they can then move to their play spaces.  This time before 8.10am is for safety reasons as there is no supervision.  The children are now very aware of this expectation and they have a choice.  They can sit and wait or they can choose to play before 8.10am.  However, if they choose the wrong option there is a consequence of which they are also aware, in the hope that they won't choose this option in the future.  Very explicit expectations help take the "thinking" out of it for the students.

Our next step is to work on the movement around the school in class groups and during transition times.  Again, there will be some very clear expectations for students as we continue to create a structured and orderly learning environment where students can Strive in Faith, Learning and Life.

Have a great weekend!

Sam Hannant