Head of Primary School Administration
T
he Primary school has enjoyed many highlights in 2004. It has been a year of both consolidation and challenge. As a school community, we have focussed on developing a culture that reflects tolerance, acceptance and treating others with respect. As a Mr Mark Hackett staff, our aim is to foster and Head of Primary School develop each individual to ensure that he can realise his full potential. In order for this to take place, our foremost objective is to provide a learning environment that is safe and friendly. Education is constantly evolving and providing life skills has become a priority. Students are now learning how to learn with tasks that are more open-ended. Empowering students with strategies to deal with various situations is a crucial life skill. Highlighting the benefits of assertiveness and teaching boys to express their feelings when faced with a difficult situation assists in minimising the incidence of bullying and creates a far more harmonious school environment.
Curriculum Curriculum changes are constant and the challenge that faces the modern educator is to keep abreast of new initiatives and implement those that are most relevant to the needs of the students. During this year, the staff attended a number of professional development courses to enhance their knowledge of curriculum planning and assessment. Progress maps are one of the many new initiatives that enable teachers to individualise the learning journey of their students. Assessing achievement in levels is another area in which the staff has been in-serviced. We have worked to consolidate our literacy programs that are proving to be very popular with the students. The interactive programs have, in many cases, enthused students to pursue reading as an enjoyable past-time. This fact alone is a major achievement!
Sport and Physical Education Our physical education programme has expanded to include a weekly aquatics lesson in all year levels. The benefits of this programme are significant in that the students have an opportunity to increase their physical fitness as well as developing their swimming technique. Our sporting teams have enjoyed a great deal of success throughout the year. We fielded strong teams in both summer and winter sports codes and our athletics team produced some outstanding results. All credit to the staff and parent coaches who willingly give their time and expertise to assist with sports teams.
Community The Trinity School Community relies on the generosity of many people to ensure programmes and various activities can take place and run efficiently. The staff and parents play a pivotal role in planning and implementing programmes including camps, sports carnivals, Sacramental liturgies, language support and many others. Communicating to the school community through our Parent Liaison Group is a very efficient way of seeking advice and assistance to ensure we run programmes effectively. Something that is always reassuring is the overwhelming response from the community when asked to assist at a camp, carnival or Sacramental celebration.
Looking Towards 2005 In 2005, we will endeavour to strengthen our language program to include a literacy net, ensuring early intervention if a child slips behind in a specific learning area. We will re-examine our reporting, assessment and homework policies to align them with new curriculum initiatives. Our extension courses will increase to include electronics and an advanced aquatics program. We will introduce a Christian Service component to compliment our very extensive Confirmation programme. Our main objective will remain unchanged, as we will endeavour to enhance the selfesteem of all students and make their learning experiences meaningful and enjoyable.
Teachers, Students and Parents I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the entire student cohort this year. Their contributions to all facets of school life have been outstanding. I am also very appreciative of the support the school has received from parents – it has been invaluable. Finally and most importantly, I would like to thank the staff for their dedication and wonderful contributions to the many successful programs we have undertaken in 2004. Mark Hackett Head of Primary
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