From the  Principal 

Who would believe that term 1 is about to come to an end? It really has been a special time for me as I’ve settled into my new role.

I now know 56 new staff by name. I have met one on one with many of them to learn what they love about our great school, what they would change and what they might remove. I will share insights about this when I’ve finished my office chats.

I have visited 26 classrooms, said hello to 589 students and met many wonderful new adult faces. 

CELEBRATING STUDENTS

My favourite part of the role of Principal is my daily interactions with the students. Last week I met with four of our Prep students. We shared morning tea and I learned about how they’ve settled into their first year of school.

The feedback was extremely positive with the students sharing news about their teachers, the playground, sport, music and art. More importantly, the students shared the following:

Jacob: “My favourite thing about coming to the principal's office was eating the food.”

Mimi: “I liked staying with the principal to have a special chocolate brioche bun for morning tea.”

Asher: “I loved chatting and eating.”

 Ivy: “I loved having the photo with my friends and Miss Roberts.”  

STAFFING

We welcome Hayden Dickson to the team at CPS. He will be our school’s new maintenance person, supporting weekly clean-up of the yard. Once he settles in, he will coordinate some further works at our school.

Cheryl Laing, who currently works as our school’s tutor has been appointed to an acting Learning Specialist role with Virtual Schools Victoria. We expect Cheryl  to return in 2024. We wish her well with her new adventure and look forward to welcoming her back in 2024.

Sarah Lockett will return from leave and take up the tutoring position. Sarah is already well known in our school community as a classroom teacher.

We farewell a couple of staff this term:

Kirra King and Abbey Pomeroy who have replaced Sarah Cochrane for much of this term. We appreciate their amazing efforts to ensure a wonderful start to the school year for our year 2 students. 

THANK YOU FOR A GREAT SCHOOL START

We have had a great start to our year. Our prep students settled into their classes. Our amazing prep team created a warm, welcoming and nurturing environment. The preps are also enjoying their time with our specialist teachers and their year 6 buddies. The children are working well, adjusting to their new routines. The students in years 1 to 6 have had a productive term of learning balanced with some important wellbeing opportunities. We value academic growth across all curriculum areas balanced with respect, resilience and care for all.

Our 2023 PFA have had a productive term providing many opportunities for our students, including Hot Cross Bun sales, Easter raffle, Icy-poles and Sushi day. We appreciate your enthusiasm for our school.

We also welcomed a number of new staff who have fitted in well, happily embracing the Carnegie culture. We thank all of our teachers and support staff for their hard work this term.

We invite parents to continue to see our school leaders and teachers as approachable and willing to listen to all concerns and contributions. A shared and positive relationship between parents and teachers remains key in best meeting the needs of our children.

POLICIES

Please find a copy of our  school's updated mobile phone policy in this newsletter. It is also on our website along with all the other school policies.

POLICE VISIT

Our Year 5 and 6 students were visited today by the Proactive Police Unit which operates out of Moorabbin. The officers run programs in schools to ensure online student safety. The in school presentation aims to build positive relationships and engagement between young people and the police, while equipping students with the skills and knowledge to be able to take actionable steps to maintain safety at all times. The resources encourage thinking and learnings to prevent harm, to identify safe/unsafe situations and know when and how to seek help.

LAST DAY OF TERM 

Don’t forget the last day of the term is Thursday 6 April,  2:30pm. 

There will be an assembly commencing at 9am on this day where our traditional Easter Raffle will be drawn.

Thanks to all of our families, students and staff for a wonderful term 1 and we look forward to whatever term 2 may bring, with new learning and plenty of action. Please all look after each other, be kind and I look forward to when we are together again at CPS next term. There are many great things planned for term 2, I look forward to experiencing these events alongside all members of our community.

 I wish to acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands on which this is being read and pay my respects to elders past present and emerging. 

I wish to acknowledge our First Nations people and pay respects to them. I note further that these lands were never ceded and are, and always will be, Aboriginal Lands.

Karen Roberts