Young North Public School has been recognised for its innovative Young North Stars care groups initiative.
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Principal of the school Angela Gay was presented an Executive Directors Award at a recent Principal Network Meeting at Wagga, for excellence in ensuring every student is known and valued.
The recognition stems from the formulation of Young North Stars care groups - an innovative idea by staff at the school - which focuses on each child's wellbeing.
Principal Angela Gay said it was to ensure someone was touching base with every student, every day.
"These groups were formulated to ensure every student is known, valued and cared for at Young North Public School," principal Angela Gay said.
"They target specific lessons in smaller care groups so students have another adult and other students, rather than their classroom teacher and classmates, they can identify with and go to as well."
It was launched in Education Week 2019 and has been operating each week, with groups of 10 students, ranging from Kindergarten to Year 6, meeting once a week for 30 minutes.
Each group has its own secret handshake and a unique name. Students remain in the same groups until they graduate Year 6 and new kindergarten kids fill the spots that are made available.
"The beginning of a new year can be a nervous time so they'll have the same Young North Stars group, however the new Kindys will take place of Year 6 students who have left," Ms Gay said.
"It's nice to be recognised for the excellence. But this award is also contributed to the commitment of all the staff in the school to ensuring all students are known, valued and cared for."
NAPLAN data, according to Young North Public School, highlights wellbeing practices, such as the Young North Stars groups, are maximising students' learning.
"All areas in Year 5 - spelling, reading, writing, grammar and punctuation, and numeracy - we've had over 50 per cent of kids achieve above expected growth from Year 3. That's something to be proud of," Instructional Leader at Young North Public School Nick Berry said.
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