Principal's Post
Dear Craigslea Community,
We’ve had a fantastic start to Term 3, with the first three weeks flying by. Our students are fully engaged in their learning and enjoying the new challenges the term brings.
In English, students are exploring persuasive texts and preparing spoken presentations to influence an audience. Topics range from favourite activities and preferred places to whether our school should have support animals or how we can take sustainable action in our school and broader community.
There’s also been lots of lively discussion at Principal’s Afternoon Tea about perimeter, area, angles, and multiplication as students tackle new Maths concepts. It’s wonderful to hear their enthusiasm for learning.
Education for All Grant
Earlier this year, I submitted an application through the Education for All grant program, seeking funding to improve disability access across our school. With support from an Occupational Therapist and a Physiotherapist, we identified key areas for improvement.
I’m thrilled to share that our application was successful. We have been allocated funds to enhance access to classrooms, improve pathways throughout the school, and upgrade access to the pool. Work on these projects will begin later this year. We are excited about the positive impact these upgrades will have for our students and community.
Book Fair Success
A big thank you to Mrs Bryce and her dedicated team of helpers for bringing Book Fair to Craigslea this week. It was a wonderful opportunity for students to discover new books and support our library. We also extend our thanks to our families for their support, it truly makes a difference.
Celebrating Our Students
There are many ways we recognise our hardworking students, but two of my favourites are Principal’s Afternoon Tea and Principal phone calls home. While some parents are momentarily surprised when they receive a call from the Principal, that quickly turns into joy and pride when they learn the reason. Students who receive these calls are also presented with a special Craigslea Champions postcard acknowledging their commitment to learning.
School Opinion Survey
The annual School Opinion Survey is open from 28 July to 22 August 2025. Families, staff, and students in Years 5 and 6 are invited to share their thoughts on what we’re doing well and where we can improve. Invitations were emailed last week. Your voice is important, and we welcome your feedback.
Facilities & Construction Update
Update on infrastructure projects that are currently underway:
- Stop, Drop and Go Zone: The design phase has been completed, and the project is now progressing to the tender stage.
- Stepping Stones: A heartfelt thank you to our Sustainability Group for installing beautiful stepping stones to help students and families avoid puddles near the Sensitivity Unit. (See photos here)
Photos of our Playground and J Block Renovations
BYOD Program Review
At the end of last term, families were invited to share feedback as part of our review of the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program. Thank you to the 67 families who responded. Key insights include:
- Impact on Learning: 28 families identified positive impacts of BYOD on student learning.
- Student Confidence: 52 families noted their child was highly confident using iPads for learning.
- Affordability: 30 families felt the program was manageable.
- Communication: 35 found the school's communication somewhat supportive, with 14 rating it as supportive.
- Alternatives: Interest in a school-managed 1:1 device program through an ICT levy - 22 Yes | 33 Maybe | 12 Unsure/No
Your feedback will guide next steps as we continue to refine our approach to using technology for learning. During the next fortnight I will be bringing together a working party of teachers to continue the review.
“People working together in a strong community with a shared goal and a common purpose can make the impossible possible.”
— Tom Vilsack
Yours in learning,
Melanie Rehm
Principal