Principals and their Deputies from the Hastings Valley Community of Schools (HVCS) met recently to co-ordinate a number of strategies designed to involve and benefit students and their teachers across the six public schools in Port Macquarie.
On their agenda was a close look at the HVCS Management Plan to see how they can continue to implement a number of exciting programs which have been running across the six public schools for a number of years; and to develop new ideas as well.
Among the items to be discussed were the HVCS Orchestra and the HVCS Valley Vox Choir, both of which they hope will start rehearsing soon for performances during Education Week in August.
The HVCS Drama Ensemble has already started their rehearsals and their first performance is scheduled for March 31 at the Glasshouse.
They are also hoping to follow last year’s successful program of a Gifted and Talented Competition Day (GATS), a Science Fun Day, a Maths Fun Day and a Sports Gala Day.
Students from the two high schools are trained as leaders and help with the organisation of these days for primary students.
The Principals have budgeted for additional promotional material like brochures and banners.
The brochures are designed to inform parents of the many educational programs running in each school and to help them decide which school best meets their children’s needs.
The Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) program is being trialled by all the schools and funding is being made available for further staff training to continue implementing this highly successful approach to teaching and student discipline. Better educational outcomes should be the end result of embracing this program.
Other areas discussed were the highly successful high achievers classes in the schools and the Transition to High School program which benefits Year 6 students each year.
Technology in the schools also was looked at. As each Year 9 cohort in high schools gets laptop computers from a government education initiative, new ways of teaching are being developed and trialled.
All the schools have computer room;s and teachers in both primary and secondary schools are adapting to using computerised ‘Whiteboards’ and some are becoming more acquainted with the benefits of the ‘Connected Classrooms’ which allow teachers and students in one school to participate with and see teachers and students in another school.
The final item on the Principals’ agenda was the soon-to-be- completed HVCS website which will allow the public to log on and see first-hand what can be achieved when schools co-ordinate their efforts to produce exciting initiatives for their students and staff.
