News and appreciations this week:

Well where do I start?

The commitment that is demonstrated daily by our teaching, admin and class based education staff at our school fills me with pride. It has been a hectic term, within a busy year and we have achieved so much. Thanks to our students, staff and parents, for it is only through collaboration and collegiality that we are able to achieve all (and more) that we set out to do. In a year that included amongst a gamut of highlights, a comprehensive school review, an amazing art show and the quirky and innovative addition of the Orchard to Plate cookery book, it has been a year for the ages.

A very big thank you to teaching and leadership, administration, education support, ancillary staff (our cleaners, maintenance, OH&S, canteen) and of course the wonderful TheirCare crew. Appreciations to School Council members, Parents Association, Connector Bugs, Orchard to Plate folk and all who have assisted with working bees, classroom helpers programs, sausage sizzles …. We really need for us all to work together, or what we deliver would only be a dream.

Graduation – Our annual presentation evening and valedictory to our grade 6 graduating class was held at the Quin Auditorium at Caroline Chisholm College on Monday evening. The students were beautifully presented and the entire event wonderfully well organised. There was evident preparation in the dance, play and music performances, as well as the entertaining and the high quality speeches that were delivered by the class captains and the clever verse presented by the vice captains. Student awards were well deserved and very well received. A very big appreciation to Lyn Wilkinson for her coordination and expert management of the evening. This will be the final time that Lyn acts in the emcee role. Big shoes to fill! We appreciate the hard work of the grade 6 teachers, Lyn, Marco and Diana and the support of our grade 5 team, administration and specialists.

Through School Transition #2

The second session provides students and teachers the opportunity to build positively on the initial visits on the previous Tuesday. A very big appreciation to our teaching teams for the great amount of discussion, consideration and reflection that enables our grades to be carefully and thoughtfully constructed.

The Orchard to Plate program in 2020 – I am delighted to confirm that the Orchard to Plate cooking program will expand into a twice a week program with the announcement that volunteer Orchard to Plate coordinator and parent, Dianne MacDonald, has been selected for this new staff role. She has the brief to work directly with students, classroom teachers and volunteers, to develop and expand our program. What great news to finish the school year with!

Sports finals played on Friday saw our undefeated bat tennis team successful in the grand final. Events were completed on Wednesday when the basketball teams split the results of their games against Footscray PS. The boys being shaded by the narrowest margins in a high quality match and the girls winning comfortably. A big appreciation to former Girls’ school captain, Molly Roberts who shared the refereeing duties with the Footscray PS representative. Thank you and well done to organisers (and coaches) Stratos and Marco and team coaches, Diana and Towela.

Flexibuzz

Parents please remember to reset your grade preferences for next year. Of course the General News box should remain ticked, but don’t forget to follow your child’s promotion to their new grade level by selecting the new class for 2020 and de-selecting this year’s class.

Lost property

Remaining items will be washed and delivered to the local Opp shop, so tomorrow will be the last opportunity to claim missing items. A big thanks to Ed Support team member, Silvana for the many hours spent managing lost property over the school year. A timely reminder to put your child's name on ALL items of clothing.

Tomorrow

The final shortened school day will begin with an outdoor ‘end of school year’ assembly. We have decided to start the day with a change of plan due to the forecast of extreme weather. Students will be asked to wear their hats and make their way directly to the basketball court with their bags. We will announce the winners of the annual 3/4 Citizenship and Chris Goethel Environment Awards, as well as acknowledge the successful recipients of the Graduation evening awards. This is also an opportunity to say our goodbyes to departing staff members and students.

School will conclude for the year at 1.30 pm. Due to the change of format, students will be dismissed from their classrooms and the seniors from the Dingo gallery space. The TheirCare program will of course start at this earlier time.

We have significant building and maintenance plans following the asbestos ground removal works, that are due to be managed after the school year concludes and prior to the week starting 13th January. The car park asphalt is due to be replaced from the 14th January, so TheirCare users will need to access Emu Corner by foot using the pedestrian gate nearest the school crossing for the remainder of that week.

2020 – The new school year will begin for teachers on Tuesday, 28th January and be followed by whole school planning on Wednesday, 29th January. Students in grades 1 – 6 will begin lessons on Thursday, 30th January (along with the first group of Preps for 1:1 assessment) and all Preps will begin their school year on Friday, 31st February.

May I, on behalf of the entire staffing team wish you all a safe and relaxing Christmas and January holidays.

Cheers,

Brendan

The West Weekly

We actively engage the school community to work and learn together in a supportive, inclusive environment where we guide students to develop knowledge, skills and resilience to achieve their personal best.

Issue 39 · 19 Dec 2019

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