School planning welcomed at Woy Woy

A new school planning exercise introduced by the Department of Education has been welcomed by Woy Woy Public School principal Ms Ona Buckley.

"The new plan will be called a Strategic Improvement Plan and will run over a four-year timeframe," she said.

"The school will be conducting a situational analysis."

Ms Buckley said this would determine where the school was now and where the school wanted to be, and would ask the question: "How good can we be?"

"Students, parents and staff will be consulted for opinions, suggestions and input.

"Data analysis will drive projections of future academic targets and student support.

"This process will start in Term 3 this year and the plan will be finalised at the end of Term 1 next year.

"This will be an exciting and worthwhile process as together we will strive to improve best practice and best results for our Woy Woy Public School students."

Ms Buckley said a staff development day on July 20 would start with a live stream from the Department of Education on "School Excellence in Action".

This would explain to staff how school planning would be done in the next planning cycle from 2021 to 2024, she said.

The day will also include a session on "Trauma-Informed Practice" by guest presenter Mr Bruce Donaldson.

Ms Buckley said: "This is timely given the very different and difficult situation we find ourselves in this year with the world wide pandemic.

"Many of us and our children are feeling the effects of what has been happening around us and teachers are aware our students can be suffering below the surface.

"This session will help teachers understand how this may be affecting students and what measures, ideas and interventions can best support them through this time."

Other sessions on the day will be led by staff.

A session will be held on the school's iPad bank, the apps that are for available, and connecting with curriculum delivery in classrooms.

Another session will be held on "Functional Behaviour Assessment".

Ms Buckley said: "This will include how to write an appropriate Individual Education Plan for students who need differentiation so they can successfully access the curriculum at their level and pace.

"Teachers have the most impact on the learning of students in their care and it is extremely important to update and increase their skills to best support our students."

Newsletter, 3 Jul 2020

Ona Buckley, Woy Woy Public School