Principal's Report

Again, we are now in the heightened engagement of Term 4 and the many exciting and rewarding events to follow in the coming weeks. I would encourage you to refer to our ever-developing website calendar in order to keep abreast of events as they are being planned, announced and scheduled.

During the vacation we continued to have further developments to our buildings and facilities. We were delighted that we were able to have new line marking put in place in our playgrounds to reinstate all basketball and netball lines and many others for minor games. These have been enjoyed with great enthusiasm by our students since the term began.

Additionally, we were pleased to have our Canteen refreshed and repainted over the break. Thank you again to our Business Manager, Ms Dimitra Ouliaris who oversaw this work and met with our contractors.

Aero Aerobics Team – National Championships – Gold Coast – Thursday 3rd October 2024

Together with their coach and Assistant Principal Ms Georgina Kirwan and a number of parents, I enjoyed the exceptional performance of our students in this competition. The students, Ella E, Zara F and Madeleine M, achieved sixth placing in the competition competing against schools across the nation. It was a wonderful achievement with these students competing with many who had experienced years in the competition and have access to ongoing specialized coaches over many years. Thank you again to Ms Kirwan for her drive, dedication and skill in bringing this to fruition for our students. This experience has sparked increased interest by other students across the school as they too look forward to competing and enjoying such marvellous opportunities.

Additionally, we convey our appreciation of our Office Staff who together organised and conducted the Sausage Sizzle fundraiser on Friday 20th September to contribute a profit of over $800 to the cost of this experience.

Foundation Information Evening – Wednesday 16th October 2024

We were delighted to provide a highly expansive and informative Information Session to parents of enrolled students for 2025. This was a substantial experience with many of our staff in attendance including Ms Georgie Kirwan as our Assistant Principal; Ms Kirstie Briggs as our leading Foundation teacher and Literacy Leader; Mr Zac Barry as our Mathematics Leader, Mr Rampant as our teacher of Japanese and Performing Arts; Mr Boulton as our Physical Education and Sports teacher, Ms Jessica Wilson as our Visual Arts teacher, and several others including our Office Administration team with Ms Tina Casey. We also were visited by representatives from Spartan Uniforms and Ms Caroline Kennon in her capacity as President of the Chatham Primary School Parents Club.

Importantly, we were able to announce the provision of two classes for 2025 and the commencement of our transition arrangements for the remainder of 2025.

International Students at Chatham in 2025

Recently we were visited by officers who assist in the process and who are accredited with the Department of Education for this purpose. The feedback we obtain from these people is so positive and appreciative. Perhaps what is really worth acknowledging is the fact that we are seen as one of their most preferred schools and there is palpable culture at our school that enables positive and mutually beneficial engagement for our students and parents. We are greatly appreciative of the enormous work undertaken by Ms Judy Holland who ensures these students and their families are inducted, supported and immersed and included in the life and fabric of our school.

Year 3 & 4 School Camp

Despite the considerable challenges for Principals in funding and staffing these experiences it was with a sense of excitement and jubilation that I informed our parents on Monday 14th October that we would be conducting a three-day Camp from 11th – 13th December 2024. The School Camp selected is Lyrebird Park which is located at Yellingbo in the Yarra Ranges. Previously earlier this year Mr Tim Clarke, Ms Georgie Kirwan and I visited a number of school camps to establish a suitable venue within two hours of Melbourne. We arrived in our deliberations with Lyrebird Park, which we believe will be most ideal for our students at Years 3 & 4. More information will be provided to parents in the coming days.

Division Athletics - 14th October 2024 – Tom Kelly Athletics Track, Doncaster

We were delighted that Mr Walter Boulton was able to accompany our ten students to this event after providing further out of hours practices for those involved. This was a fabulous achievement with the following results:

Again, this was a larger contingent at this level and we convey our appreciation of the preparations provided by our students and Mr Boulton. We wish Jack Coulthard all the very best as he proceeds now to the Regional competition on Thursday 24th October 2024.

School Production

As indicated, this event is scheduled to be held on Thursday 14th November 2024 at Doncaster Secondary College. It has been inspiring to witness our students with Mr Rampant and other staff preparing for this wonderful event and the discipline and focus that is involved. Also, we are inspired by the wonderful contributions of Mr Yanai Morris who is assisting with coaching with singing and Ms Hisae Yoshino who has already spent considerable time assisting with the props for this exciting event. Additionally, a number of our teaching and non-teaching staff continue to assist with props and costumes as we progress this marvellous opportunity.

Chatham Parents Club

I am delighted to advise that Ms Caroline Kennon was elected to the position of President of the Chatham Parents Club on Friday 11th October 2024. Caroline is also the convenor of our Fundraising Committee of the School Council. Together these two groups contribute so much to not only our ‘fun’draising and the building of our school community fabric and sense of belonging. Our Parents Club has a number of events and initiatives planned for the remainder of 2024. We look forward to our second Colour Run next Friday 25th October 2024.

Christopher Cotching

Principal