The events and euphoria of the last few days has surely been engaging and inspiring. We have been delighted to commence the school year with a wonderful start and a full complement of teaching and education support staff.

School Culture and Values

From the moment our students return to school we have an enduring focus upon our motto of Being Safe, Being Fair and Being Kind. This is fundamental to our culture and mores, with a real focus upon this expectation by students, staff and parents from day one. Additionally, in each class and Specialist area, teachers develop Classroom and Specialist Agreements that enshrine these expectations in a range of school contexts along with the values of honesty, responsibility, partnership, resilience, learning and respect. We are delighted about the progress these students have made in demonstrating and inculcating these values. At each Year Level these are considered in view of child development and associated aptitudes.

Staffing and Organisational Matters for 2025

Foundation (Prep)	Ms Kirstie Briggs	Upstairs Junior Building
Year 1/2A	Mrs Lucy Bray/Mrs Siobhan Moore	Upstairs Junior Building
Year 1/2M	Ms Sue Minshull/Mr Walter Boulton	Upstairs Junior Building
Year 3/4C	Mr Tim Clarke/Ms Rose Yodgee	Upstairs Senior Building
Year 3/4G	Ms Lisa Gilbert/Ms Rose Yodgee	Upstairs Senior Building
Year 3/4L	Ms Lorraine McLean	Upstairs Senior Building
Year 5/6B	Mr Zac Barry	Downstairs Senior Building – Green Room
Year 5/6C	Ms Callie McDonald	Downstairs Senior Building - Red Room
Year 5/6S	Ms Hannah Spivak	Downstairs Senior Building - Blue Room
Visual Arts	Ms Jess Wilson	Visual Arts Centre
Performing Arts and Music	Mr James Rampant	Performing Arts Centre
Japanese	Mr James Rampant	Japanese Room
Physical Education and Sport	Mr Walter Boulton
Library	Class teachers timetabled
STEAM	Class Teachers timetabled
Student Tutor Initiative	Ms Georgina Kirwan
Business Manager	Ms Dimitra Ouliaris
Office Administration	Ms Judy Holland
Office Administration	Ms Tina Casey
Canteen Manager	Ms Jo Paterson
Kitchen Garden	Ms Leda Semercioglu
First Aid	Ms Shaina Webb
Maintenance	Mr Peter Manning
Education Support Officer	Ms Kristin Chester
Education Support Officer - Library	Ms Andrea McLeod	Casual arrangements
Education Support Officer	Ms Lynda Gould	Casual arrangements
Education Support Officer	Ms Janet Clarke	Casual arrangements
Education Support Officer	Ms Leda Semercioglu	Casual arrangements
IT support (part time)	Ms Sajee Abeysooriya	Contactor
Assistant Principal	Ms Georgina Kirwan
Principal	Mr Christopher Cotching

Foundation Students for 2024

It was magnificent to enjoy the energy, vitality and enthusiasm of our Foundation students when they started on Thursday 30th January. Thank you also to Daylan and Kate James who made their home available for the annual ‘Tears and Cheers’ event held with our new and existing parents that morning. It was wonderful to see the way in which these students immersed themselves so quickly in the life of the school. It was also lovely to meet up with many of our families at the Foundation Picnic on Wednesday afternoon. The area established for the Kitchen Garden makes a wonderful resource for such events. Thank you again to Ms Kirstie Briggs, Ms Townsend, Mr Rampant and Ms Kirwan for their assistance.

School Organisation

In the coming weeks there is so much that needs to be organised at this time. The events if confirmed will almost always be cited on the Chatham calendar on the Chatham website. Whilst this creates demands on families, it is important that information is obtained to assist and support your child. The following are key matters for the coming days:

Start of year Student Permission Forms. On Monday 3rd February you will have received a Compass communication requesting you complete a number of important permission forms for your child. These will include permissions for electronic platforms, Head Lice inspections, ICT agreements and Class Representative details.
Year Level and Specialist’s Newsletters. Please note we expect to distribute these on Friday 7th February 2025. These informative newsletters are distributed at the beginning of each term.
Parent/Teacher Discussions. Please be advised that these are scheduled over four afternoons to enable flexibility and meet other practical considerations. They will occur over four sessions:
- Tuesday 11th February 2025 3:40pm - 5:30 pm
- Wednesday 12th February 2025 3:40pm - 4:30pm
- Tuesday 18th February 2025 3:40pm - 4:30pm
- Wednesday 19th February 2025 3:40pm - 4:30pm

On Tuesday, information was placed on Compass and parents are encouraged to make a booking. These discussions are held in person and proceed for approximately ten minutes. Parents are encouraged to arrive at their child’s classroom at least ten minutes prior to their scheduled time.

Swimming Carnivals – House and District.
Our House Swimming Competition is scheduled for Tuesday 11th February 2025 at Bialik College, Hawthorn East, and involves students in Years 4-6. Students who meet required times will then be able to join the Kooyong District Swimming Competition scheduled for Tuesday 18th February 2025.
Parent Information sessions: These will be conducted at the following dates and times:
- Foundation (Prep) 3:40pm - Tuesday 25th February 2025
- Years 1/2 3:40pm - Tuesday 25th February 2025
- Years 3 – 6 3:40pm - Wednesday 26th February 2025

The purpose of these sessions is to inform parents about the Classroom Program at each Year Level and to clarify and matters regarding arrangements for 2025. Again, we very much encourage parents to attend if they are able to make these times.

There is so much to share and report about the developments at our school. We look forward to providing a School Newsletter each fortnight. These are generally placed on the Compass platform on Fridays and uploaded onto the School website.

Christopher Cotching

Principal

A Message from Borooondara School Crossings

School zones often get very crowded, which can be dangerous if students aren’t using designated crossings and following instructions from our crossing supervisors and parking signage is being ignored.

Parents please be reminded that parking illegally and ignoring crossing supervisor instructions can endanger the safety of everyone.

Our crossing supervisors work hard to keep these areas safe and are supported by parking officers who patrol our school zones and issue fines to motorists who are not following these rules.

Respect Crossing Supervisors – they are crucial for student safety.
1. Stop walking when they whistle once. Wait away from the curb.
2. Cross when they whistle twice. When instructed, walk promptly and directly across.
Adhere to parking and road rules:
1. Kiss and Ride zones at schools are for quick drop-offs or pickups only – you have a two-minute limit, it is not a parking spot.
2. Illegal parking compromises safety and risks a fine.
3. Don’t double-park, stop in bus zones or park too close to the school crossing (within 20 metres before or 10 metres after it).
Consider alternative transport: Walking or riding to school with your child is a healthy and enjoyable way to avoid congestion at drop-off or pick-up time.

School Crossing Supervisors are only there to help your children to safely cross the road. They do not enforce parking restrictions.

Aysegul Altug

Senior Support Officer - SXP

Civic Services | Urban Living

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