Dear families,

Welcome back to Term 4. I really enjoy the final term of each year and the first few weeks are a particularly productive time as staff prepare for the frenetic energy towards the end of term.

As well as the warmer weather at the beginning of Term 4, I also look forward to it as it is a time where some key assessments are held and key data sets are released to us too. The key data sets include Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT) in reading and mathematics, DIBELS testing, the Student Engagement and Wellbeing Survey as well as staff and family satisfaction surveys.

I know most students and perhaps staff don’t share my enthusiasm for this testing and evaluation period, but I look forward to it as this is the time that we receive the best, most current data which allows us to understand whether the strategic work of the school across the year has had an impact and begin to plan for next year’s strategic work.

As I have all year, I will continue to share key aspects from these assessment/evaluation as part of my ongoing efforts to keep you informed of our school improvement planning and actions. Three key data sets have been released over the past week:

Student Wellbeing and Engagement Survey

Earlier this week the results of our annual Student Wellbeing and Engagement Survey were released to us. The survey is one data point that indicates that the positive changes the school has made over the past few years are having a positive impact.

Notably:

• There has been an 8% increase in students reporting high wellbeing related to School Climate
• There is an 11% increase in high wellbeing associated with student self-concept and cognitive engagement
• The wellbeing measure linked to ‘connectedness to adults’ at school has improved by 10%
• There is a 10% improvement in students’ perceptions of ‘effective teaching practices’.

Staff Satisfaction Survey

Participation rates In this survey were higher than the average over the past ten years.

Of the 38 key indicators, 26 have moved higher in a way described as ‘significant’. The school exceeds the state average in many key areas, including:

• Students feel safe at this school
• Student behaviour is well managed at this school
• The school takes staff opinions seriously
• Staff use data to plan for student learning
• Staff have appropriate resources to support student learning
• I would recommend this school to others
• Staff are supported to work together to improve and coordinate learning

Family Satisfaction Survey

Participation rates in this survey were much higher than the average over the past ten years.

Of the 30 key indicators, 19 have moved higher in a way described as ‘significant’. The school exceeds the state average in many areas, including:

• I can talk to my child’s teachers about my concerns
• Student behaviour is well managed at this school
• This school looks for ways to improve
• Staff at this school motivate my child to learn
• I feel like I am part of my school community
• My child will complete Year 12
• My child feels safe at this school
• I know how the school helps my child learn to read
• The school takes families’ opinions seriously

One of the activities on the important Professional Learning student-free day next Friday (31st October) is to further interrogate these data sets with staff and work together to plan our key strategic actions into 2026.

In my next newsletter I want to talk about the upcoming ‘Social Media restrictions’ for young people under the age of sixteen, (starting on December 10th) and explain why I am supportive of these restrictions and will be asking families to support them also. If you haven’t already, please begin to tune into these restrictions here: Social media age restrictions and your family| eSafety Commissioner

I am incredibly proud of the work the school is doing and appreciate your ongoing partnership as we work to enhance CTDHS as a high expectations, high support and high achievement school. Sharing my working day with your young people and our highly skilled, passionate and caring adults is truly a joy.

David Bryant,

Acting Principal