The Link

Principal's Report

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

 

I hope this message finds you well at midpoint of the term. I’d like to update you on some important news and happenings around our school.

Staff Updates

Mrs. Guest is currently on leave, and Mrs. Dooley has stepped in as Acting Business Manager during this time.

 

Mr. Skidmore is also on leave, and we are grateful to Bluey, who has stepped up as Facilities Manager as well as being in charge of maintenance.

 

Ms. Angell  (Yr 1) has commenced family leave

 

And we warmly welcome Mr. Rose, who has completed a comprehensive transition process and has seamlessly settled into the classroom.

 

Mrs Pendlebury, our amazing music teacher will be on extended leave and we will work to find a replacement music teacher in her absence.

Facilities and Maintenance 

Our ramp construction is progressing well. Most of the ramps near the front of the school, including the replacement of pavers, will be completed by this Friday. We are awaiting the handrail installation for the Wellbeing Hub ramp and an updated engineer’s report for the Year 2 ramp. The upcoming ramps to be worked on are those at the ¾ toilet block and then the Year 4 ramp—after which all scheduled ramp work will be finished. The construction team worked hard on Saturday to pour the ramps; unfortunately, a school drain was damaged during this process but rest assured it will be repaired promptly.

 

Student Activities and Events

Our Year 6 students had a magnificent camp at The Summit, filled with great learning and fun. We are looking forward to the upcoming Year 4 and Year 5 camps in Term 3.The Divisional Cross Country event happened this Wednesday—please see the sport report for details.

 

 

Thank You to the PFC and Families

A huge thank you to the Parents and Friends Committee (PFC) and our wonderful families for their ongoing support. Thanks to their generosity, STEM will soon be purchasing Bee Bot bundles and possibly a 3D printer—exciting additions to our learning resources!What a fantastic event the PFC organized recently with the Colour Run – a vibrant day that brought so much joy to our students and staff alike.

 

Academic Focus

On May 30th, our teachers dedicated the day to report writing. This involved careful moderation of assessments, creation of comments and goals for each learning area. It’s a thorough and intensive process that takes place over several weeks to ensure the highest quality reports for parents.

 

Community and Cultural Events

Our Year 6 leaders and Koorie students proudly represented the school at the Reconciliation Celebration and flag-raising ceremony held at EMC.

Important Dates and Reminders

  • King’s Birthday Public Holiday: Monday, June 9 (school closed)
  • Policy Updates: Swimming, Attendance, and Volunteers policies have been updated. Please take time to read these important documents on our school website.
  • Next Term Dates:
    • Grandparents Day Celebration for Foundation students – Friday, July 25

    • Open Night – Wednesday, August 5, (3.45-5.30pm) showcasing our school motto: “Excellence in every classroom, for every student, every day.”

       

Parking Reminder

Please be mindful when using the Kiss and Go zone—remember, it’s for a quick drop-off and pick-up only. Also, the staff and swimming carparks are reserved exclusively for staff and families attending swimming lessons. Please do not park there otherwise, as this causes inconvenience. We appreciate your kindness and consideration in this matter.

 

Managing Staff Absences

I wanted to let you know that, due to recent staff absences and a shortage of relief teachers, we’ve had to implement some split classes. Wherever possible we do employ relief teachers and we prioritise relief teachers who are familiar with our school and students. When this isn't possible, we ensure they are well supported—meeting with them in the morning to go through our routines and expectations.

Please be assured that all teachers, including relief staff, follow consistent plans developed by our teaching teams. This collaborative planning helps ensure that all students continue to receive high-quality, consistent learning experiences, no matter who is in the classroom.

 

We understand that these changes can be concerning, and we truly appreciate your patience and understanding. It’s a challenging time for our staff as well, but we are committed to working as a strong, united team to maintain stability and support for every student.

 

If you ever have questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We ask that all communication remains respectful, and we will always do our best to address any issues thoughtfully and promptly.

 

While some of our systems and processes may not be visible from the outside, please know that everything we do is grounded in consistent, predictable routines designed to best support your children.

 

Thank you for your ongoing partnership in making our school a vibrant and supportive learning community. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out.