PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

It is with mixed emotions that I write my final newsletter piece as Principal at Hamilton (Gray Street) Primary, having been back at our great school for the past three years and three terms, and a Principal with the Department of Education for the past 15 years. Whilst a part of me is a little sad to be finishing in a role I have highly enjoyed for many years, I am also looking forward to stepping back and spending more time with my young family.

I do feel very honoured and privileged to have been given the opportunity to lead our great school over the past few years and there have been many wonderful achievements during this time. We have great kids and very supportive and caring families and I thank all of you in helping us to work together to achieve the best learning outcomes for each and every one of our students. I would also like to thank our amazing staff for the unwavering support they have provided me but also for the high level of dedication and the professional way they all go about their job each and every day.

Mrs Jane Langley will now be commencing as Principal from the beginning of term 3. Jane has already visited our school on a number of occasions, including for our most recent School Council Meeting, and we will be meeting again over the holiday break to finalise our handover process. Jane is very much looking forward to working with our school community and having known Jane for quite a long time, I am extremely confident she is going to be a great asset for our school.

I will now be taking a period of leave throughout term 3 and look forward to returning later in the year to work with Jane and all other staff members at our wonderful school.

Parent/Teacher Interviews

It was great to have a large number of parents attend our Parent/Teacher Interviews that have been taking place over the past two weeks. Thank you to those who were able to come in to discuss the progress being made by your child, along with the future directions for a successful second semester of learning. Please remember that if you weren’t able to make it in you can contact the classroom at any time for a discussion, the easiest way via XUNO to arrange a time to chat.

Grade 5/6 Inquiry Learning

This term the grade 5/6 students have been learning about different forms of renewable and non-renewal energy with this learning culminating in the production of project posters and models of different forms of renewable energy production. The students did an amazing job with their projects, presenting speeches to their peers and also setting up a display in classrooms and the Open Learning Area for others to view. It was great to have lots of family members come into school on Wednesday afternoon to view and celebrate the great work completed by our senior students.

Term 3 – Staffing Changes

Mrs Beaton will remain on leave for the first three weeks of term 3 and will be replaced in the 1/2A class from a Monday to Wednesday by Mrs Louise Kelson.

Miss Paton will be taking leave for the first week of term 3 and will be replaced in 5/6C by Mr Ben Stephens.

For the first three weeks of term 3, Mrs Sylvia Murray will continue teaching the 5/6B for four days per week, with Mrs Stacey Stewart teaching the class each Friday. Mr Watt will be returning at the start of week 4 and will then teach the 5/6B class on a Thursday and Friday (along with his usual Phys Ed role from Monday to Wednesday) with Mrs Murray then going back to teaching the 5/6B class for three days each week. Mrs McGinley will continue to replace Mr Watt in Phys Ed until his return from leave.

Grade 1/2 Swimming

Our students in the Grade 1/2 classes will start off next term having their two-week swimming program take place at HILAC. Parents are asked to set themselves a reminder and have swimming bags packed ready for the first day of term. It is highly advisable that all students have their own pair of goggles too.

2025 Prep Enrolment

Enrolment packs have been distributed quite a few weeks ago for all families we believe will have a new Prep student commence school with us in 2025. A reminder that these forms need to be returned please no later that Friday 26th July (end of week 2) to assisting us with our planning for next year. If you have misplaced your enrolment pack, please contact the office to have a new one sent home.

Start of Term 3

The first day of school for next term will be on Monday 15th July.

Wishing you all a great holiday break, no matter what your plans and we look forward to seeing all students return for the start of term 3.

Have a great holiday break!

Ben Kelson

Principal

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