Staff Spotlight
In this week's post, we wish to express our utmost gratitude towards the following staff members, who will be looking forward to a fresh start in 2023. We wish them all the very best on their exciting journey, and we sincerely thank them for all they have done for our community in their years of working at St Johns Park Public School.
Ms S. La (Community Liaison Officer)
What accomplishments have filled you with pride this year?
I have made a huge attachment with Vietnamese parents and across with whole school staff community.
What is your favourite memory during your time at St Johns Park Public School?
My favourite memory at SJPPS, is working with Ms Dunia Mashko, our other CLO. She spent her time supporting and sharing with me all her experiences about how to work effectively with parents, and how to build a solid rapport relationship with them.
What will you miss the most about St Johns Park Public School?
I am going to miss Ms Mashko dearly and all the kind and friendly staff here at SJPPS.
If you could organise and take students on a field trip for one day, where would you take them and what would they be doing?
I would bring them to places that are safe and fun and have lots of exciting activities.
Personal Message:
I feel blessed and full of enjoyment with you all on my Wednesdays at school.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year. Stay safe!
Miss J. Le (KL)
What accomplishments have filled you with pride this year?
The first and foremost is my wonderful and respectful KL class. I've also worked in partnership with supportive parents and families to develop a strong and successful start in their child's first year of Kindergarten. My students have become more independent and grown a few inches taller with a few missing teeth. It has been an absolute pleasure to see their personalities grow day by day and their growth in their learning. I've had the opportunity to mentor a hardworking beginning teacher and I am blessed to have dedicated my time and effort into the students who performed in the Japanese Soran Bushi Dance.
What is your favourite teacher memory during your time at St Johns Park Public School?
KL's adventure to the Calmsley Hill City Farm was a day where we were lucky to be able to ride a wet and bumpy tractor in the pouring rain! What was memorable were the faces we made because of it!
What will you miss the most about St Johns Park Public School?
I will miss the unique, kind and humorous students of St Johns Park Public School, as well as the understanding and thoughtful parents and families in this community.
If you could organise and take your students on a field trip for one day, where would you take them and what would they be doing?
I would take my students to Disneyland and Universal Studios theme park to experience an epic adventure.
Personal Message:
The greatest gift any student could ever give to a teacher, is to love to learn and to strive to achieve. Choose Kindness. Always strive to be the BEST that you can be and never give up!
Miss T. Phan (KP)
What accomplishments have filled you with pride this year?
I am overjoyed to see my students genuinely showing kindness to their peers and teachers. The respect and honesty they show towards others is inspiring, and I am so proud of every single student in KP for always trying to be the best version of themselves!
I am also immensely proud of our Senior Girls K-pop Dance crew! They have worked exceptionally hard throughout the year to put on a splendid performance at Multicultural Day. Shout out to our future idols: Teesha, Trinity, Caitlin, Ruby, Chesna, Angela, Jessie and Audrey.
What is your favourite teacher memory during your time at St Johns Park Public School?
To my classes of 2020-2022, 1T and KP, I will always remember and appreciate the wonderful times we had together. One of my favourite memories is receiving a letter from Kyson who expressed his interest in having me as his Year 4 teacher! It was incredibly sweet and thoughtful.
What will you miss about being at St Johns Park Public School?
I will definitely miss all the amazing students at SJPPS. I will also miss working with our extremely dedicated staff. I've learnt so much from them over the last four years and I am extremely grateful for all their support and commitment towards our school and students.
If you could organise and take your students on a field trip for one day, where would you take them and what would they be doing?
I would take my students for a delicious feast at a Korean BBQ restaurant before heading to Flip Out so they could show me around! We'll finish off the day at the beach, digging for pipis and appreciating the sound and sight of the gentle waves and a sunset horizon.
Personal Message:
Good luck to all members of the SJPPS community with their future endeavours.
I'll finish with what I've tried to instill in all my students:
Make good choices for yourself because you are a good person - not because it pleases other people.
Mr H. Truong (1H)
What accomplishments have filled you with pride this year?
My incredible class and their dedication to learning and love for Reading and Science. Senior Boys Softball team for their amazing results on Gala day. Junior Tunnel Ball teams that dedicated their time and effort into winning 1st and 2nd place.
What is your favourite teacher memory during your time at St Johns Park Public School?
All of the above and receiving letters from the students that wanted me to be their teacher next year.
What will you miss the most about St Johns Park Public School?
I will miss the students, parents and staff members. I will also miss greeting and talking with all the students throughout the day. The hardworking and thoughtful parents in this community that sacrifice their time for the school's wellbeing. The supportive and talented staff members that I've had the most amazing experience collaborating with.
If you could organise and take your students on a field trip for one day, where would you take them and what would they be doing?
If I could, I would take them to Questacon.
Personal Message:
You can't tell people you're the best, you have to show them.
Mr W. Truong (6T)
What accomplishments have filled you with pride this year?
In addition to teaching my amazing 6T class, I’ve been blessed to have had the opportunity to coach both championship Senior Basketball teams (1, 2, 3 Lebron!), as well as officiating at the Regional and NSWPSSA Primary Athletics Championship 2022.
Other accomplishments include the privilege to have witnessed first-hand our students perform brilliantly in:
● Senior Girls AFL during Gala Day
● Senior Girls K-pop dance
● Chess Club
● Peer Support
● Public Speaking Competition Finals
● Zone, Regional and State Cross Country and Athletics (shoutout to Amanda & Olivia for reaching State level!)
What is your favourite teacher memory during your time at St Johns Park Public School?
All of the above.
What will you miss the most about St Johns Park Public School?
I will miss the incredible community of kind, respectful and dedicated students, as well as the wonderful, appreciative and thoughtful parents who make teaching such a joy.
If you could organise and take your students on a field trip for one day, where would you take them and what would they be doing?
I would take my students to the NBA Playoff game at Maddison Square Garden NY and organise a performance of either Blackpink, BTS or ITZY as the half-time show.
Personal Message:
I know it says “personal”, but I will have to go with a quote from my basketball GOAT (Greatest of All Time):
'I like criticism. It makes you strong' - LeBron James
Miss J. Vo (2J)
What accomplishments have filled you with pride this year?
My biggest accomplishment this year was developing open-ended Mathematic lessons and guiding my class to become excellent mathematicians. Watching my students problem-solve as a group, show resilience and think outside of the box filled me with pride.
What is your favourite teacher memory during your time at St Johns Park Public School?
My favourite teacher memory was seeing all the students and teachers dress up as a book character for Book Week.
What will you miss the most about St Johns Park Public School?
I will miss all the students, parents and teachers at St Johns Park Public School.
If you could organise and take your students on a field trip for one day, where would you take them and what would they be doing?
2J are very interested in outer space, so I would take my class to the NASA headquarters. I could definitely picture Nathan using his incredible knowledge to discover a new element in space, Wilson and Jason leading the boys to investigate aliens and Derica, Raylee, Layla and Taylor would help the security team to make sure everything is running smoothly. Meanwhile the rest of the girls and I would use telescopes to find new constellations.
Personal Message:
Thank you to all my students for being the best class a teacher could have, you've made my time here at St Johns Park Public School very memorable. Have a safe and fun holiday and I wish you all the best in the future.
Miss L. MacMillan
What accomplishments have filled you with pride this year?
This year I completed my first year of teaching whilst also finishing my university degree. I was proud to have taught every grade at some stage this year and I am very thankful for the staff who were so supportive and helped me along the way.
What is your favourite teacher memory during your time at St Johns Park Public School?
My favourite memory was teaching Kindergarten in their first few weeks of school.
What will you miss the most about St Johns Park Public School?
I will miss all the wonderful students and amazing staff members.
If you could organise and take your students on a field trip for one day, where would you take them and what would they be doing?
I would take them to the Great Barrier Reef to see all the amazing flora and fauna. They would be able to participate in many wonderful activities such as snorkelling and exploring the rainforest.
Personal Message:
Thank you to all of the amazing staff and students at St John’s Park for always making me feel welcomed and supported. You have all taught me so much and I will miss you all so much. Best wishes to everyone in the future.
We would also like to wish Miss G. MacMillan all the very best in 2023!