Principal's Address
Published by Cheryl WalkerDear parents and carers,
Welcome back and a very warm welcome to our new families for 2021. I'd like to just start by saying how excited I am to be filling this position for Term 1 until our new Principal is permanently appointed to start in Term 2. I would like to welcome Mrs Leah Ingram who will be Stage 3 Fisher class teacher, Sam McGill who is on Kinder Green this term due to Mrs Erin Wilson relieving as Early Stage 1 Assistant Principal and Shane Allen who along with Mrs Anne McCarthy and Mrs Rebecca Clifford will be implementing the COVID Intensive Learning Support Program. Please see attached information for parents relating to this program. Mrs Kate Foster will be moving to Stage 1 Assistant Principal, Miss Elissa Liddle will be relieving in the position of Stage 2 Assistant Principal and Mrs Bronwyn Selfe will continue in her role as Stage 3 Assistant Principal.
We have had a very smooth transition back to school, even taking into account the changing COVID guidelines. So well done students, parents, teachers and student learning support officers. However, I would like to start the year off with a special thank you to our office staff. They are not only an immense support to me but they work tirelessly, often behind the scenes ensuring that systems run smoothly and most importantly that our children's needs are addressed as efficiently and professionally as possible.
Most Year 1 and 2 students should be walking into school independently now, however our Kindergarten students may need next week to settle in further. Carers do not need to use the QR code if dropping or picking up, however if you are coming for a meeting or to pick up a sick child for example, please sign in and use the QR code.
In Week 4 we will be holding class information sessions in the classrooms. Due to the current restrictions we are limited to 1 hour sessions and 30 attendees per class. These will take place between 5:00pm and 6:00pm on Monday 15th February for Years 3 to 6 and Tuesday 16th February for Years 1 and 2. The main purpose of these meetings is to provide an opportunity for our parents / carers to connect more personally with their child's new teacher and to learn about the routines and expectations for this school year. It of course gives our teachers an opportunity to get to know our parents.You will also be able to request a one on one meeting at this time if required. Kindergarten families have already had their session this week, but will have opportunities for one on one meetings and feedback following the Best Start Testing period.
Finally I thought I'd finish with our beatiful playground. A considerable part of your child's day is spent in play and learning how to socialise, communicate and make friends. Although our space is not massive, we are so fortunate to have a colourful playground in a stunning bush setting. The children have a choice of basketball, handball, soccer, oztag, sandpit (golden token required), table tennis, two climbing equipment fixtures, Structured Play (chalkboards, colouring in books, dolls, cars, lego, elastics, card games), and a wide assortment of balls, skipping ropes, hoops etc. to borrow daily. We also have many student learning support officers (blue vests), in these designated areas assisting our children to play safely, fairly, make friends and resolve problems. Our Years 3 to 6 students also have Boys and Girls Year Advisors, Stage 2 has Matthew Brook and Jacqui Fuentes. Stage 3 has Bradley Moore and Bianca Pizzingrilli. Their roles are to support playground social skills and give the students in these stages additional staff that they can connect with and seek help. Finally our Year 6 leaders, (orange vests) provide an important role of also being clearly visible as someone more age appropriate that the students could go to and ask for help.
We value our student's wellbeing and ability to feel that they belong, therefore, if your child is coming home repeatedly telling you they are playing alone or experiencing difficulties in our playground, please don't hesitate to contact your class teacher. Often some of our most significant concerns are not so difficult to remedy if we reach out.
I am also pleased to report that the new accesible toilet facility was completed in the holidays.
Finally, in the words of Malakai D (Year 2, 2020), Feedback Report - "This school is AWESOME!"