Principal Report

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As this is the last newsletter for the year, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. It has been a very different year for everyone and I am so proud of each and every Student, Teacher, Education Support staff member and Parent/Carer who adapted so well to remote learning during terms 2 and 3. It has been so lovely having the children back on-site for the most of term 4 and we look forward to welcoming our parents back into the school yard in 2022.

Farewelling Staff for 2021: At this time of year we always need to farewell staff for various reasons. The following staff will not be joining us next year:

• Ms Stephanie Phiri Year 3/4 Inquiry Teacher
• Mr Joshua Schwabe Chinese LOTE Teacher
• Ms Georgia Dowling 5/6 Teacher
• Ms Madi Nichols 5/6 Teacher
• Mrs Jacinta Vassallo 1/2 Teacher
• Ms Sinead Duffy Prep Teacher
• Ms Bernadine Hetherington Admin Officer

I wish to thank all these staff members for their fabulous contribution to the Melton West PS community. All have been instrumental in ensuring the children they have taught or supported over the years benefited from a great classroom program. 

Mrs Joanne Briffa is starting Maternity leave as of tomorrow. She was able to extend her time at work to see out the year with her class, for which we are most grateful. All the best at the most important job in the world – Being a Mum!

We wish all these staff members the best as they venture into the next phase of their careers. 

Teachers for 2022: New staff to join us in 2022 include 5 classroom teachers: Ms Catherine Foundalis, Ms Rebecca Mills, Ms Simone Gardener, Ms Pancham Saini, Mr Jack Moon.Ms Amanda Marshall will fill the role of the 3/4 Inquiry Teacher. All of these new teachers have spent some time at the school over the past few weeks as part of planning for 2022 and met their class as part of “Meet the Teacher” this morning. If you see them around the school, please make them feel welcome as they are very excited to be part of our vibrant school community. We are still in the process of recruiting a classroom teacher for a Year 5/6 Class. We interviewed yesterday and believe we have a well-qualified candidate however we are just checking references carefully to make sure she is suitable.

Tutor Learning Initiative 2022: We will continue to receive funding from the Government in 2022 for the TLI Program to continue. The classroom teacher will be released for 3 hours to support children from their class who may have fallen behind due to Remote Learning in 2021. This is a very successful program, which we have received many positive endorsements throughout the year as we have shared our approach with others. 

Meet the Teacher: Your child met their teacher today in the classroom they will be in in 2022. They were also given a slip of paper that can be kept on the fridge for the first day next year, which is Monday 31st January 2022 for all students, including our Preps. I have included a list of teachers and the classes they are teaching for your information.

Assembly: Our final assembly will be held on the tiger turf outside the library from 1.10 tomorrow. We will hold it in the open air so that all parents can attend in a Covid-safe way. Please maintain social distancing if you attend and you are welcome to wear a mask if you like. This final assembly is an opportunity to farewell staff who are leaving us as well as our Year 6 cohort. 

Merry Christmas 

Michelle Costa

Principal

Melton West PS