Recent ARD visit

Last week we hosted a virtual visit with Dr Graham Foster our Assistant Regional Director. Graham heard the work around the table from various leaders and spoke to teachers about the work happening in reading. It was great to hear our staff share the “Bowen State School” approach to reading intervention in the lower and upper school. Our staff articulated the key work and professional learning and capacity building they receive to support students at this school.

Graham commended on the refined sharp and narrow work happening in mathematics problem solving and the impact of “Instructional Coaching” is having on our staff and output of student learning. We talked about the important work of ensuring attendance of students is spotlighted and supporting families to ensure their children are at school every day.

A discussion at the table was around the “next steps” in our key work to ensure all students are successful learners. We know differentiation and feedback to the learner is critical in their next lift.

Prep open morning

This Saturday our school is hosting a COVID safe prep open morning. We welcome new and existing families to join in a fun filled morning to see what prep looks like at Bowen State. We ask that families register upon arrival and abide by our social distancing and hygiene requirements on the morning. We are looking forward to seeing all our future students and families. See you there!

High behaviour expectations

Recently we have enjoyed a growth in new enrolments to our school. Some families have toured all local primary schools and have chosen Bowen State for the preferred future for their child. Something that I talk about upon enrolment is our positive culture and relationships between students and staff. I share with parents my high expectations of behaviour including zero tolerance of threats towards others, swearing and physical aggression. It is a right that all students feel safe and are spoken to respectfully by their peers and staff. I believe this message is getting out to the wider community and I encourage you to share my stance on this. We want our school to be the school of choice in this community with a solid reputation based on a safe, caring community. “Promoting positive behaviour at our school and the high expectations around this is everyone’s business”

I believe in: Hard Work Honesty Transparency

Christien Payne

Principal