From the Principal

Dear Parents and Guardians

This has been a terrific term for the School with so many highlights. Our students continue to participate enthusiastically in many and varied activities and do themselves proud. Charitable events such as Australia's Biggest Morning Tea and the various House charities are representative of our Giving Program. The SEEDS Project speakers, sports carnivals, Encounter experiences, clubs activities, Dale Fest Choir Concert, Eye Contact Photographic Exhibition, hospitality events, Primary Speakers' Challenge, Primary Discos - and the list goes on - were all successful.

Thank you for your support of the School this term. I am very appreciative of the large number of families who are attending our community events such as Australia's Biggest Morning Tea.  The children and staff were thrilled to have you join us. Our SEEDS Project events are building momentum and I'm pleased that our Term 4 speaker, the highly regarded Maggie Dent has attracted considerable interest with 105 tickets already sold. Relatives, friends and neighbours are welcome to attend. Please refer them to the TryBooking link. Thank you, too, to the parent volunteers who work in various capacities on the campus and of course our P&F which is planning other friend raising events in the coming months.

Staff News

Today we have thanked and farewelled a number of staff. Lee Parker (English), Kate Bowes (English), Sheree Squillace (Year 2 )and Chantelle Eikelboom (Year 1) have completed short term contracts. Mrs Parker has retired for the seventh and final time from John Wollaston and is relocating to rural Victoria. She has been a wonderful contributor to the School since 2001 as English teacher, Head of House and for many years, convenor and chief baker of the annual Hale Cake Stall. Indeed, last week's Hale House Day raised $500 for the charity Saving Animals from Euthanasia (SAFE). We thank Mrs Parker and wish her happiness and good health in retirement. Michelle Willis (Primary Inclusive Education Coordinator), Fiona Morrison (Mathematics), Carol Lander (Archives) and Julie Denton (Education Assistant) leave us to enjoy a term's Long Service Leave. We wish all staff a refreshing and enjoyable period of leave. Thank you also to Ella McKean who has led the Early Learning Centre this semester, Luke Morgan who has led the The Arts Department for the same period and Catherine Hudson who has led the English Department for Term 2. Mr Morgan will continue as Acting Head of The Arts for the remainder of the year.

Dogs on Campus

It has been brought to my attention that some parents are concerned about pet dogs being brought onto the grounds at the start and end of the school day. I am prepared to let this occur under the following conditions:

• Dogs must be on a leash at all times
• Dogs must be under their owner's control at all times
• Owners are responsible for picking up after their dog should the need arise
• Dogs must not enter any school buildings
• Owners must ensure that dogs do not interfere with any lessons or student activities
• Owners must be mindful that not all members of the school community are dog lovers

These conditions do not apply to assistance and therapy dogs.

Planning for our 30th Anniversary in 2019

I have appointed Business Manager Derek Heatherly to Chair the School's 30th Anniversary Committee which will commence planning  a number of special events and occasions to celebrate John Wollaston's special milestone in 2019. Membership of the Committee will comprise of staff, students and parents. Mr Heatherly will seek volunteers to join the Committee early next term.

School Promotion and Media Presence

Community Engagement Coordinator Amanda Barrett is seeking to enhance the School's profile through a new marketing campaign and increased social media presence. Capitalising on the tag line Bright Futures, our advertising has become more future focused. Feedback from our print media advertisement in the local papers has been very positive. Mrs Barrett has been posting school news and photographs regularly on our Facebook and Instagram sites. To complement this, our new website will be launched in the new term.

Another initiative of Mrs Barrett's has been to engage a small team of Primary students to work with her as Junior Reporters. The team is very keen and their first contribution is included in this newsletter. Congratulations to Amelia, Chelsea, Dinali and Charlotte.

With good wishes for a happy holiday.

Anne Ford

Principal