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Mansfield Courier 080524

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2022

Incorporating

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Phone: (03) 5775 2115

MAMC 10th 10 th ANNIVERSARY

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160th 160th FARMER’S MARKET

$2.00 (inc.GST)

www.mansfieldcourier.com.au

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EAGLES & BOMBERS WIN

Sport

SITTER: Cathie Smith, Mansfield Shire Senior Citizen of the Year 2023, was announced as this year’s sitter for the famed local prize. THE REVEAL: Artist Emily Doig, in her colourful jumper, takes a preliminary sketch of Cathie Smith, who was revealed last Friday night as the sitter for this year’s Three Faces Portrait Art Prize. FULL STORY to follow next week. PHOTOS: Trinity Knight

Shire schools shine By TRINITY KNIGHT

SCHOOLS across Mansfield Shire have some of the lowest staff to student ratios in Victoria sitting well below the national average of 13.1 students per teacher. This average was taken from data released in 2023 recorded by the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) and research on the My School website.

find a solution with the Schools’ student to teacher ratios among g best in state tosupport of staff.

Out of 2200 Victorian schools, 1100 have higher student staff ratios than the national average. According to the My School website, Merrijg Primary school has the lowest staff to student ratio in the state with 3.25 students per teacher. Acting principal of Merrijig Primary School Kylie McCormack said the

benefit of such a wonderful student to teacher ratio is the staff know the students really well and can form great connections. “We feel like we can cater to student’s additional needs and celebrate their uniqueness,” Ms McCormack said. “We find that the students are inclusive and tolerant of their peer’s

challenges and differences. “Smaller numbers in the classroom allow individualised plans and focused learning. “The students also enjoy peer mentoring, and multiage learning.” Ms McCormack said the older children are enjoying the leadership challenge and the younger students are thrilled to work with the

“big kids” which appears to be valuable in building resilience, tolerance and teamwork skills. “Small class sizes allow the teachers to work closely with students and at times it feels like a big family being in a smaller cohort,” she said. “When students are inevitably faced with social challenges, it is necessary for them to problem solve

“At break times, the students are inclusive and may also play in a whole group game or in smaller groups.” Other schools across the shire with low student to teacher ratios include Jamieson Primary School with 7.22, Mansfield Steiner School 8.14 and St Mary’s 10.79. ■ Continued page 5


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