Principal's Message

COVID Update

As per my separate communications this week, we continue to navigate the challenges of COVID throughout our school.  Given the situation in Ukraine at the moment, our challenges are very insignificant, however we do understand the difficulties and inconvenience that isolation and disruption to the school program creates for students, families and staff.  We continue to be appreciative of your support and understanding.  I am also extremely thankful to lead such a great staff team, who continue to ‘step up’ and do whatever is needed to support students, families and colleagues.  In recent times, this is often when we are under-resourced due to staff being in isolation and not always being able to be replaced.

Year 6 Camp

The Year 6 camp at Coonawarra Farm Resort last week was memorable, albeit not entirely for the right reasons.  We had 2½ fantastic days with the students making the most of a range of adventure based activities. Unfortunately, the camp was impacted quite significantly by COVID and we returned home on Thursday, a day earlier than originally planned.  I cannot speak more highly of the resilience and positivity of our students in accepting the disappointment of the early return; likewise the adults in attendance (James Sharp, Craig Gooding, Michelle Chen, James Roche, Sam Kirby, Jack Bentley, Daniel Deluca, Yasmin Bohn, Julie Rogers & Shona Duncan) were exceptional in supporting the students and adapting to a new situation, doing whatever was required to ensure that the students were as safe as possible whilst continuing to enjoy the camp experience. Thanks again to the many parents who made the seven hour return drive to Coonawarra to collect their own (and other) children.

Year 5 Camp

Our approach is 2022 has been very much one of continuing with business as usual, as much as we are able to do so. The Year 5 students and staff will head off on their 4-day camp at Gundiwindi Lodge immediately following the long weekend and we look forward to a great few days. 

Clean up Australia

Thank-you to Enza Orsini for her organisation of the Step Up Clean Up day at Old Orchard. The purpose of the day is not only to participate in Australia’s National Clean Up weekend, but also to conduct a school waste audit. 

Prep Info Evening

Thank-you to our Prep team (Jen Males, Beth Fletcher, Kim Dellevergin and Milly Bridges) as well as Ellen Hurley on the successful Prep Information Evening on Monday. The event was very well attended and is an important element in ensuring that our Prep parents have a clear understanding of the Prep program and how they can best support their child at home. 

Kind regards

Duncan