Dear Parents / Guardians,
Welcome back everyone and welcome to our many new families! This year again we have had a significant surge in enrolments which has resulted in the forming of a fourth kindergarten class and the re-structuring of our Year 2 class allocations. Despite this I am pleased to report that the 2019 school year has commenced very smoothly, with all students settling into their new classrooms and routines very quickly and I thank all families and teachers for their ability to make this happen and supporting children in this transition.
In 2019 our school focus will remain on the continued introduction and ‘roll out’ of the following areas and whole school programs. These areas are outlined in our School Business Plan which is available for the office and our soon to be published website. I also encourage you to ask your child’s teacher about them so you are aware of how they are implemented in the classroom and across the school.
- Talk For Writing
- Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)
- iSTAR (explicit teaching model)
- Community Involvement
School Staff
Our staffing has remained mostly consistent from 2018 and this is great news for the school and the com- munity. Having said that we do have some new staff joining us for 2019 and wish to welcome those staff members. Children and parents can be confident that as part of our induction program new teachers attended school during their holidays and are now well versed in ‘the Baler Way’. We are proud of our school values and vision; and encourage all of our staff to have this embedded in their teaching practice. I would like to extend a warm welcome to:
Mr Alex Beament – Yr 6 / Kestrel 5
Mr Jarrod Kuah – Yr 5 / Kestrel 3
Miss Samantha Burke – Yr 3 / Jabiru 3
Miss Bryony Smith-Halvorsen – Yr 2 / Osprey 5
Mrs Kimberley Porter – Kindy / Sandpiper 2
Ms Deb Leonard – P/DOTT
Miss Lauren Phillips – Science
As well, we welcome Mrs Larado to the role of the Learning Club Coordinator and wish Mrs Owens all the very best on her maternity leave. We also welcome Mr Rikhraj into a new role as our Indonesian Specialist teacher.
School Development Day Change
Please note our school development days for 2019, however due to the availability of a presenter there has been a change to the date in term 4 so I urge all parents to update their calendars from previously advised dates. Students do not attend on school development days.
Term 1: Thur 31st Jan / Fri 1st Feb
Term 2: Fri 31st May
Term 3: Fri 2nd August
Term 4: Fri 18th October *
As an independent public school (IPS) we will be transitioning from a School Council to a School Board and as such we encourage and invite expressions of interest from parents and community members.
School Board
If you are interested in joining our inaugural school board then please email the Principal, Karen Burgess, or the current School Council Chair, Michelle Boothey on baler.ps@education.wa.edu.au . Please include a small biography and an outline of what you would like to achieve or explore through being part of our school board. Of course if you would like further information before submitting an expression of interest then please contact me on 9172 1955 and if I am not available I will ring back – alternatively you can contact the current School Council Chair, Michelle Boothey for further information as well.
What does a board do? How is it different to the P&C?
As an independent public school the School Board provides advice to the school around governance. It represents the school commu- nity in the process of school planning and policy development, but is not involved in the employment of teaching or ancillary staff or the day to day operations of the school. A member of the school board may be invited to sit on the selection panel for a new Principal when required.
The school board plays an important role in contributing to good school governance so that school resources are used efficiently and community expectations and the school’s priorities reflect the needs of students.
The functions of boards are covered by legislation and include both approval and advisory roles. Some of the matters boards may make decisions on include fees and charges, book lists, sponsorship and dress codes. Boards make these decisions with the principal who ensures the decisions adhere to legislative and policy requirements. Principals also seek the advice of boards so as to understand local community views. The board does not involve itself in the day to day management of the school but operates more at a governance level.
Before an appointment is made to a school board DOE requires a criminal screening check to be undertaken – this is funded by the school. All board members will be offered training.
Electronic Newsletters
The School Newsletter will be distributed on the last Wednesday of every month via email but everyday updates will continue to be sent out via the Baler Primary School App. Please download this from the App store.
Voluntary Contributions 2019
A schedule for the 2019 Contributions and Charges was sent home with students at the end of last year. The Baler Primary School Board has endorsed the following rate for voluntary contributions:
Kindergarten—Year 6 $60 per child. School voluntary contributions are overdue. Sound Waves Student Book are charges therefore payment is required for these text books.
Payment can be made by cash, chq and EFTPOS at the front office.
Direct debit into the Baler School account
BSB:06 6543
ACC:1003 0777.
Ref: Student name
Thank you to all Parents who have paid contributions and charges for 2019.
By paying these charges and contributions each year the money is being used for the school and students. Please contact the school office on 91721955 if you have queries regarding this account.
Karen Burgess Principal