Principal's Report
Welcome Back
I trust that all our students had a fantastic holiday break and have come back refreshed and ready for Term 4.
This is an extremely busy time of the year at Concord School. As well as organising staffing and enrolments for 2018 we are preparing for the end of year activities and celebrations such as the Primary and Secondary Graduations and the Christmas Concert. An upcoming date to remember is the Pupil Free Day on Monday 27th November.
School Structure for 2018
Our student enrolment continues to increase with 435 students currently enrolled in the school. There were 407 students enrolled at this time last year. All classrooms across the school will be utilised for student groups in 2018 including the library.
Next week we will be meeting with three architectural firms who have been shortlisted to plan and oversee the construction of a new Secondary 7-8 wing of the school. These building works, which we hope will be completed for the commencement of the 2019 school year, will modernise the buildings, provide more engaging learning spaces and increase the student capacity of the school.
The Lower Primary (9 classes), Upper Primary (7 classes), Secondary 7-8 (8 classes) and Secondary 11-12 (6 classes) areas will have the same number of classes as in 2017. Secondary 9-10 (9 classes) will increase by one class.
Jeannine Casey’s Retirement
Jeannine Casey, who has been the Business Manager of Concord School for 28 years, is retiring on Friday, 3rd November. Jeannine has seen the dramatic transformation of Concord School during her time in the position. Jeannine informs me that on her arrival there were 126 students who were transported to school by not only the school buses but also taxis. Jeannine would use her typewriter to type up the Daily Bulletin which would be hand delivered to staff.
Jeannine has been an incredibly dedicated Business Manger who has always achieved 100% compliance in the regular financial audits that the DET conducts at the school. She has taken great pride in the work that she does and will be greatly missed by all within the Concord School community.
I know that you will join with me in wishing Jeannine well in her retirement as she spends more quality time with her husband Bruce as well as her children and grandchildren.
Samantha Browne has been appointed to the Business Manager role and is currently working with Jeannine on a ‘handover’. Samantha previously worked at Donvale Primary School.
Before and After School Care
Concord School and Watsonia Primary School will not be renewing the contract of Camp Australia, the current before and after school care provider, when it expires at the end of this year. The service will operate as usual for the rest of this year so if you use the service then please continue to do so.
We have conducted a rigorous process in appointing a new provider and further details will be in upcoming newsletters. We are excited about this new partnership and believe that an extremely high quality service will be provided from 2018.
VCAL Information Sessions
Concord School will be offering VCAL Information Sessions in the Transition Centre. Bronwyn Hart will present these sessions on Wednesday 25th October at 7pm and on Thursday 26th October at 9.15am. Please note that these are identical sessions. The content will cover VCAL but also include VET, Work Experience, School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships as well as the options available for our students after they complete Year 12. This is an important session for families of current Year 10 students but all families who would like further information regarding their child’s later years of education and transition from schooling are encouraged to attend.
Compass Portal
All parents need to be logged into Compass so our school can communicate effectively with you. If you have any questions regarding Compass, or are having difficulty in logging-on, then please ring Karen Jordan at our school on 94673972.
The Compass log-on can be found at https://concordsch-vic.compass.education or through the ‘Compass Parent Portal’ link on our website.
Wearing of Caps and Hats
With the weather becoming warmer, please remember that only school caps and hats may be worn. Caps ($7) and broad brimmed hats ($10) can be purchased from the school office.
Staff and students in the Primary School are expected to wear hats while outside during terms 1 and 4. Staff and students in the Secondary School are strongly encouraged to wear hats while outside during terms 1 and 4. If it is a day in which UV levels are dangerous, students without official school caps will be directed to play only in designated shade or indoor areas.
Principal's Award
The principal's award goes to Thai Tran.
Thai is a very polite and kind student who always tries his best. His work is consistently very neat and of a high standard.
Thai has improved greatly in his writing. He will often write a page or more for his diary entry each week. Thai has taught our class many new facts about “sea life” in our Integrated Unit this semester.
Well done Thai!
"Students striving to be the best they can be"
Jason Coningsby,
Principal