Farewells

Farewell and Good Luck

SMPS is a dynamic place and the world has evolved over the COVID period making the workplace more fluid. All Victorian schools are experiencing an unprecedented time with staff movement and our school is no different. The list below contains the names of our valued members of staff who will be moving onto other professions and schools. Some have chosen to move closer to home, which is totally understandable. Others are pursuing opportunities outside the bubble of education.

We wish them all well and thank them for their time at our school. They have all made valuable contributions in their own way to the legacy of SMPS. 

Find some messages below from these staff who have chosen to write a little thank you note to our community.

Dear SMPS Families

It is with very mixed emotions that I bid farewell to our wonderful school for the next 12 months. I have accepted an Acting Principal position much closer to home, which will enable me to continue doing a job I love whilst also caring for my young family.

As I shared at our last assembly, it has been a privilege and honour to serve our school community, and I am incredibly proud of all we have achieved together. Watching many of the students I taught in Grade Prep in 2018, the first year the school opened, graduate last week was one of the highlights of my career.  They have each grown into incredibly kind, caring young people, and have achieved wonderful outcomes in learning as well.  This is a direct result of the trusting partnerships formed between the school and home, over many years. 

Thank you to all of our families for entrusting us with your children's education. The support received from our parents has been outstanding and I will be forever grateful for your kind words and smiles each and every day. I hope that I can return in the future, and continue to work alongside our dedicated staff, families and wonderful children. They are simply the best. 

I wish you all a safe and Happy New Year. 

Carmen Britnell

To the families and wider community of South Melbourne Primary,

 

I want to express my deepest gratitude for entrusting me with your most precious treasures. I care deeply for every single child and can honestly say I have put in my full effort to support their journey in becoming great learners and, most importantly, great humans. Your child's success at school is the result of our collective efforts, and for this, I thank you.

 

I have made the difficult decision to prioritise my newly formed family (welcome baby George) and move closer to home. However, South Melbourne will always feel like a second family to me. I wish you all the best.

Ben Corns

It is with a heavy heart that I am saying goodbye to South Melbourne Primary School for the time being. I have loved every second that I have spent at this school teaching your wonderful children. I want to say a huge thank you to all the families that I have worked alongside. It is incredible to see how much time and effort you put into supporting your children and setting them up for success at school. Thanks for everything!

James Lucas

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the unwavering support you’ve shown during my time at South Melbourne Primary School.

 

It has been a privilege to work within such a wonderful community, my greatest joy throughout this journey has been teaching your children—the remarkable young learners who bring such energy, curiosity, and warmth to our classrooms. Witnessing their growth, creativity, and determination has been a truly rewarding experience. Each day has been filled with moments of inspiration and pride as I watched them embrace challenges, celebrate their achievements, and support one another.

 

I am deeply grateful for your partnership in your children’s education. Whether through your encouragement at home, involvement in school activities, or kind words of appreciation, your contributions have made an immeasurable difference in creating a thriving and connected school community.

 

I am not a huge fan of goodbyes, so let’s call this a "see you next time." While my time here may be concluding for now, the wonderful memories I’ve shared with your children and the school community will stay with me always.

 

Thank you for entrusting me with the education of your children and for allowing me to be a part of their learning journeys. It is an experience I will always treasure.

 

Wishing you and your families all the very best for the future.

Laura Kelly

As the year draws to a close, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the families for your interest and care in supporting Mandarin learning. Your encouragement has been invaluable in fostering a love for the language among our students.

 

As a language teacher, there is no greater joy than seeing students enjoy and progress in their Mandarin learning journey. Their enthusiasm and growth have truly been the highlight of this year.

 

Thank you for being such an integral part of this journey. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and all the best for the year ahead!

Betty Zhang

To the SMPS Community,

 

As I prepare to move on to the next chapter of my teaching journey, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to each of you for making my time here so special. It has been an honour to be part of this incredible South Melbourne community of students, staff, and families. The memories we've created together will stay with me always. Whilst being at SMPS, I have come to see the value of what it means to be a great teacher and mentor to the next generation, and I have been so blessed to have found my passion for teaching in one of the best schools IN THE WORLD!

 

To our students, keep dreaming big and striving for greatness. To the teachers and staff, thank you for your dedication and passion. And to the families, your support has made all the difference.

 

I will most definitely miss you all, but I leave with deep gratitude and best wishes for the future. 

Taniya Senanyake

Other Farewells

At the time of writing, we were unable to finalise the written farewells for the following staff who have made valuable contributions to the SMPS school community. Some of these staff members left during the year in 2024. We wish them well in their future endeavours. We are grateful for their efforts.

• Ali Ruschitzko (May still be with us on a casual basis in 2025)
• Dilshad Muthaliph
• Hannah Bishop
• Jemma Healey
• Kriti Ohri
• Sadhbh Hanifin
• Sam Kong (May still be with us on a casual basis in 2025)
• Sophie Gorfine
• Stella Baker-Campbell