Acting Principal's Message

What a camp!

Last week our Year 5 students and teachers went to a new camp – Lord Somers in Somers, on the southern side of the Mornington Peninsula, for four days of outdoor activities and team building activities. A beautiful location overlooking the beach and nestled in the local wilderness of Somers. The students took on many personal and team challenges with highlights including kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, raft building, initiative activities, screen printing, pizza making, and camp photo find. One of the highlights was the designing of a group logo, by students, one for each group, which was then screen printed on to individual t-shirts. Staff reported that there were amazing displays of friendship, resilience and collaboration as students found themselves out of their comfort zone and trying new experiences. The children were outstanding in the way they conducted themselves and demonstrated our school values of respect, responsibility, kindness, friendship and honesty.  Thank-you to the teachers: Ms. De Angelis, Ms Martelli, Ms Walters, Mr. Pepi, Mr. Chapman and Education support staff: Anu, Fraser and Scarlett, for your amazing organisation and enthusiasm for making this such a memorable camp experience for our students.

Stepping Up Program

Every year in term 4, students from Foundation to Year 5 take part in a whole school Transition/Stepping Up session. The opportunity to step up to the next year level helps prepare each student for the next stage in their educational journey. The school recognises that a successful transition is vital to a child's educational, social and emotional development. Students will participate in a range of activities to familiarise themselves with some of the changes that will be taking place in their new grade level for 2024. You can support your child through the transition process by asking positive questions such as:

• What are you looking forward to the most next year?
• What things are you good at?
• How can you make new friends?
• What would you like me to tell your new teacher about you?

No school for students on Monday – Student Free Day

A reminder we have a student free day on Monday 6th November. Teachers will be utilising this day to make preparations for student reporting and planning for the coming weeks ahead, to ensure that students are well supported. Our OSHC will be offering a program on this day.

Our new Foundation students for 2024

We were very excited to welcome our new Foundation 2024 students to our school today, for their first transition session. Over 70 students and parents were warmly welcomed by staff and our Year 6 students. For next year, there will be 31 Foundation students who already have a sibling at our school and over 40 new families starting their primary educational journey with us. We have exciting times ahead! 

Whilst the parents were engaged in and informative session, about our school, our new Foundation students had their own introduction to school life with a range of fun and engaging activities led by our teachers and supported by our Grade 6 Students. 

These sessions are designed to get to know our new students and parents, to make the first steps of their educational journey as smooth as possible, as well as commencing an important partnership to support their child/children. 

Staff are on duty at 8:45am

A reminder that we have been seeing more and more students on the school grounds before 8.30 am.  I would like to remind all students and families that staff do not officially commence duty until 8.45 a.m.  Whilst it is lovely to see students keen to be at school, and spending time with their friends, we are not in a position to have staff supervise before 8:45 a.m. We would hate to see an accident or incident occur when there is no supervision or assistance.  I would ask that students arrive from 8:45am when staff supervision is provided.  

Thank you for your co-operation.

World Teacher’s Day – Thank-you

Last Friday was World Teachers' Day, and we celebrated our incredible educators who tirelessly devote themselves to nurturing the minds of our students. Our school is privileged to have a team of exemplary practitioners who are not only committed and dedicated but also go above and beyond in their mission to inspire and educate.

Our teachers are the heart and soul of our school, and their impact extends far beyond the classroom. They are mentors, role models, and advocates for the dreams and aspirations of our students. Their unwavering commitment to excellence is an inspiration to us all.

To our dedicated educators: Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our students. Your passion, dedication, and exemplary teaching make a difference in the lives of the young minds you shape. We are deeply grateful for your contributions.

Thank-you to the many parents and students who sent lovely letters, cards, gifts, and scrumptious goodies for morning tea. The staff were very grateful and appreciative of your thoughtful actions. 

As we all know, teachers matter! 

Hats off to teachers for last Friday, World Teachers’ Day! 

As always, we thank our entire community for their continued support and understanding.

Please review our dates further in the newsletter so that you can see our future key events. 

Kind regards,

Sharon Wildermuth

Acting Principal