Barkly Highway State School - Term 4 Week 8
Principal's Welcome
Welcome to our final newsletter for 2023.
Over the year we have reflected on the many successful school events, however, the Awards Parade acknowledges the educational achievements of our students in the classroom.
In a recent Leadership Team meeting with our School Supervisor, Helen McCullough, a number of data sets including our Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) whole school targets and achievements from Term 1 to 3 was shared and discussed. After a detailed analysis of the data, it was decided to share at the following P&C Association’s meeting and also with the wider school community. The document is included with this newsletter for your perusal.
A couple of target results for you to consider includes targets highlighted green as this indicates school targets reached for the year. An important milestone for all schools is to reach state and / or regional targets. This year we have achieved zero student disciplinary (SDA) actions, and our P-2 English and Mathematics targets. We know that the teaching and learning when we are achieving so well, needs to be very precise to continue the growth. This is the work that we are continuing to focus.
MOVING FORWARD – 2024 CLASS AND TEACHER PREPARATION
At this time of the year, after considering parent feedback, teachers have had a final review of the 2024 classes which are now in draft until Day 8, 2024. Parent feedback received will only be included for future consideration if classes are required to change in 2024. Classroom configuration and student allocation while a time-consuming process is important for a successful start for the following year. Our class configuration for 2024 is included here.
STAFFING
During this week we welcomed 2024 incoming teachers Tayla Teede-Miller and Sam Duncan from Brisbane and Kate Thomas from Cairns. Over their 2 days in the school, they visited classrooms meeting students and teachers, and also actively engaged in planning sessions (known as Before Phase Moderation) with curriculum leaders and future cohort colleagues. Bella Morgan will join us on Student Free Days in 2024.
Sadly, we also have staff who are leaving us this year. This includes Donna Freestone, Emma Perkins, Chelsea Hill, Jodie Wright, Tanya Mendes, Katrina Wedrat and Harmony McGlinchey. We wish them all well as they continue to work in other Queensland schools located on the Gold Coast, Blackwater, Brisbane, Roma and here in Mount Isa.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
Wishing everyone a safe and relaxing Christmas holiday. Good luck and farewell to our departing year 6 students who are leaving primary school next week and moving on to their secondary education. Barkly Highway State School will miss you!
Happy Christmas,
Fiona Kropp
Deputy's Report
P-5 Awards and 2024 Leadership
On Monday, 27 November we will be holding our annual P-5 Awards Parade. Our Year 6 students will be presented with their awards at their Farewell on Tuesday evening.
All families are welcomed to attend the parade from 8:25 in the undercover area. The 2024 School Leaders will be announced and receive their ‘temporary’ badges.
Award recipients and families are invited to remain afterwards for some light refreshments that our P&C have prepared.
Before Phase Moderation – Unit 1, 2024
The purpose of before phase moderation is to support our teachers in Prep – 6 to develop a deep understanding of the targeted aspects of the achievement standard being assessed; align curriculum, pedagogy, assessment and reporting using moderation processes.
This week, Yvette Wehlow and I spent time moderating with our teaching staff to plan for the first English unit, in 2024. It was wonderful to collaboratively work with our staff and listen to the engaging conversations of what learning they will bring to your child’s classroom next year!
End of Year Concert
Come along and enjoy an evening of singing and dancing to celebrate the end of year. Wonderful performances by each class. Snacks and drinks will be available to purchase on the night. BYO chairs.
Engagement & Wellbeing
Hello families,
It is with sadness that I am leaving Mount Isa. I have accepted a Head of Department: Curriculum position at Blackwater State School. As much as I will miss the entire Barkly Highway community immensely, I am excited to start a new adventure. Thank you to all of your support over the last 6 years, as it has made Mount Isa feel like home.
Our social skill this week is around abusive language. We talk about home language and school language. We know that language is less formal at home and we respect that, however, there are many moments when a student uses inappropriate language that they will respond with ‘I’m allowed to at home’. I feel we all come from many different backgrounds with a diversity of life experiences which is why when students are at school, we have school values/expectations.
Last week, we saw our final whole school PBL reward. Students voted for a zooper dooper and to come dressed as someone you want to be when you grow up. Barkly Highway was filled with miners, construction workers, nurses, doctors, teachers, electricians and even a palaeontologist! The best part is, we have a head start on our first whole school PBL reward for 2024 with left over tokens.
I would like to wish our departing Year 6 cohort all the best for their new adventures in high school. I have no doubt they will all be amazing in whatever it is they choose to do.
Ms Donna Freestone
LEAD ALLIANCE COMPETITION – CONGRATULATIONS MISS SAMIOS
The Lead Alliance encouraged Mount Isa schools and education facilities to participate in Get Creative in the Playground: program which aligned to the ongoing residential Backyard Improvement Program. The mission of the combined effort was to minimise bare soil areas within reach of students and children. Miss Samios and Mrs Lehmann with their Prep Blue students, created a play area at the front gate of the Prep Precinct in which the children now play regularly. On our last weekly parade for the school year, Lead Alliance announced that Barkly Highway State School through the Prep entry won the competition receiving $2 500.
2024 Booklist
Events & Flyers
Want to know what's happening within the school? Check out our School Calendar to keep up to date.
https://barklyhighwayss.schoolzineplus.com/calendar/1
Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/barklyhighwaystateschool
