Class Placements
Wherever possible, students are placed in classes for the following year near the end of the previous year. This placement is carried out by teachers working as a team. There will be both single and multi-aged classes as schools are staffed on the over all number of children and not the number of children at each year level.
Parents are encouraged to inform the Principal in writing should they have particular requests or concerns about class placements. The placement of all students is at the discretion of the Principal within the parameters of the school’s philosophy. Class placements at Fadden Primary School should provide:
- classes which reflect the range of academic achievement
- classes which reflect a balanced representation of chronological age and social maturity
- classes which are reasonably balanced in representation of girls and boys
- social grouping, which means each student has at least one friend with whom s/he works constructively
- placements which take account of past placements, especially considering teacher/student/parents/sibling relationships.
- Placements which take account of past staffing challenges such as staff changes.
We have put together a set of guiding principals to assist with our decision making:
- Social grouping-with at least one nominated friend
- Balance of academic achievement levels across each class · Gender balance
- Chronological age-maturity-balance
- Not all new enrolments in one class
Class Sizes
- Kindergarten - Year 3, cluster around 21
- Years 4 – 6 cluster around 25
This is based on the Department’s staffing formula through which the school is staffed.
Counsellor
A school counsellor regularly visits the school. School counsellors have skills and knowledge in psychology, assessment, counselling and guidance. They work jointly with teachers, administrators, parents and others from the wider community to promote the optimum development of every student. The counsellor could be involved in the following:
- Individual counselling – assisting students on a one to one basis in educational, behavioural, emotional and/or social problem solving
- Parent consultation – making direct contact with parents regarding the specific needs of the child
- Individual testing – providing assessment of students on a one to one basis
- Special Needs Program – identifying and assisting with the placement and programs of students with special needs
- Group counselling – assisting students in educational, behavioural, emotional and/or social problem solving in a small group setting
- Staff consultation – consulting with staff members regarding student educational, behaviour special and/or emotional progress
- Consultation with other agencies – with parental agreement, referring students to other agencies coordinating delivery of services
- If you wish to contact the school counsellor, contact the school which will be able to tell you when she/he is available.