Principal's Report

From Graeme's desk....

Principal Position

As you would be aware, as a result of my retirement at the end of this year the Principal Vacancy had been advertised.  The selection panel has been working over the last month reviewing the applications, interviewing and coming to a decision.  Unfortunately as a result of this process there has been no appointment of a new Principal.  Clearly this is disappointing for everyone but the selection panel was clear that they wanted the right person to lead the school in the years to come.  The vacancy will be advertised again in February 2019.  For Term 1 next year Carol Wyatt will be Acting Principal.  Carol is clearly highly qualified to guide the school as Principal for this period next year.

Resource Smart Accreditation

Our Sustainability Team has been working hard towards our re-accreditation as a Resource Smart School.  They have been concentrating on the Energy and Waste Modules and have now achieved Accreditation in both these areas.  Well done to the team on a great job!

Retirements

Last night our staff celebrated the wonderful careers of 3 long-term staff members who are retiring.  We are very fortunate to have such high calibre staff who support the school in many diverse ways.

• Suzanne Kilpatrick has been a friendly smiling face in our school office for the last 9 years.  Suzanne is highly capable when dealing with parents and students alike.  Many would have had contact in the context of First Aid, as this has been one of her major responsibilities.  Suzanne has carried out this role in a very caring and professional manner, looking after students when they most need TLC.  Suzanne and her husband Russell are relocating to their country property in Merton, which they have been preparing over the last couple of years.  I know they will enjoy the leisurely pace of life on the land.
• Mandy Carolan has worked as an Integration Aide for the last 20 years.  She has supported our special needs students with empathy and skill, a role that she really loves and is well suited to.  Mandy is always scanning the web for ideas and resources which can be used in the program and with all students.  Mandy is also one of those treasured people who are always looking for things to do and will take on any task that needs work.  She also helps out in the office on many occasions, so could assist in so many ways beyond her core role.  I am sure Mandy will enjoy a slower pace in retirement, spending more time with husband Ward and family.
• Libby Browning (Bu) has been a teacher since 1964 and at CHPS for the past 22 years.  It is a truly staggering career which, as a result of her skill and passion, has touched thousands of lives along the way.  Libby was our long-term Indonesian teacher which she just loved.  It has been interesting to observe the number of our students who went on to study Indonesian through to Year 12 at local secondary schools.  She has a love of curriculum and a passion for supporting students to be the best they can be.  This has made her a valuable resource for all staff to bounce ideas off and use her experience to develop quality programs, particularly literacy based.  I would like to also highlight what a wonderful mentor she is with our young staff, still demonstrating the drive for improvement and innovation after more than 50 years of teaching.  She is inspirational and demonstrates what real passion for your career can look like.  Libby loves her time in the sun at her local beachside hideaway, or in Bali, and I am sure there will be plenty of these visits in retirement.

We wish all these lovely people every happiness in retirement.  Enjoy the slower pace (if you want it) and freedom to choose what you want to do with your time. 

Coming up next week

It is a very busy time of the year so don’t miss out on any of the important events

• Carols – The weather is looking good for our Community Carols next Wednesday night.  See further in the Newsletter for all the details
• Next week’s Newsletter will have our teacher deployment for 2019
• Semester 2 Reports will be available on Compass from 3pm on Friday December 14th and students will spend time in the 2019 classroom.
• Start preparing your Billycart or Soapbox for the Derby on the morning of the last day of school Dec, 21.
• Please remember, students are dismissed at 12.30pm on Friday December 21st.

Prestigious Art Catalogue Cover

Zart Art is a major supplier of Art products in Australia.

The artwork of one of our students is on the cover for Term 1 2019 Zart Art Extra  It is very exciting and a great recognition for our Visual Arts program. 

The publication goes to all schools across the state. 

Our Year 6 student, Jalacandra did the painting as part of the Senior Art Extension Program. Well done to Claudia for the high-quality program she makes available to our students. 

Well Done, Preps!

Speaking of artistic talent and great work, our Preps in Katherine Tapscott's class should be immensely proud of themselves and their Investigative Learning project on Life Under The Sea.  Their poster, which was too big to bring to the Principal's office for display, is testimony to their talent, teamwork and love of learning and points to plenty of good work to come as they make their way through the school.

Graeme Caudry  -  Principal