Greenwith Primary School News

Farewell

Dear Greenwith school community,

 

It is with mixed emotions that I finish 2023 as the Principal of this wonderful school. I have spent the last 7.75 years of my career here, and it has been the most rewarding and fulfilling experience of my life.

 

I want to thank you all for your support, collaboration, and dedication to our shared vision of excellence in education. You have made this school a place of learning, growth, and joy for our students, staff, and families. You have shown me kindness, respect, and trust, and I am deeply grateful for that.

 

I am proud of what we have accomplished together, and I am confident that you will continue to build on our achievements in the future. You have a strong team of leaders, teachers, and support staff who are committed to providing the best possible education for our students. You have a vibrant and diverse community of parents, caregivers, and partners who are invested in the success of our school. And you have a wonderful group of students who are curious, creative, and resilient.

 

I will always cherish the memories and friendships that I have made here, and as I always say to the students keep reading at every opportunity you have!

 

Please accept my heartfelt farewell and thank you for everything. You are an amazing school community, and I wish you all the best.

 

Sincerely,

Your principal

 

Tanja Antoun

 

At our Farewell Assembly on Friday, we farewelled a few extra special staff members who we will all miss.

Tanja Antoun

Ms Antoun has been the Principal at Greenwith Primary School since 2016, and after 7.75 years, she is leaving GPS. As she embarks on a new journey in 2024, we take this opportunity to acknowledge her dedication and commitment to improving our school and celebrate some of the incredible achievements during her time here as Principal. 

 

From the beginning of her tenure, Ms Antoun had the vision to develop ICT access across the school.  She introduced Google Suite for Education to GPS, investing significant dollars into the infrastructure and rollout of 1:1 Chromebooks. Over the next few years, students in all Year 2-6 classes had access to individual Chromebooks with an option for families to opt into purchasing their child their own Chromebook. Ms Antoun leaves a cohort of students and staff group masters in the Google Suite for Education, which was indeed a blessing during the COVID pandemic.

 

While Ms Antoun has been our Principal, she has led lots of different projects and activities including:

  • One of the most remarkable achievements of our principal was the successful completion of the 14 Block project. This involved the demolition of the outdated 8 Block and old Performing Arts room transportable and the construction of a state-of-the-art 2-story building that offers modern facilities and spacious classrooms. She showed great vision and dedication in ensuring that the new building blended harmoniously with the existing ones, creating a cohesive and attractive campus for our students and staff.
  • Most classes received a new TV's replacing Smartboards 
  • Navigated the school community through COVID times focussing on the new journey  including reducing the impacts of home learning for staff, families and students
  • Ms Antoun worked with the students, Defence Support Mentor and a local artist to design and complete the murals on Block 5 and the Resource Centre
  • Continued to work with Our Lady of Hope School (OLOH) to ensure the completion of the campus Nature Play area and the ongoing traffic concerns in the community
  • Organised a Colour Run fundraiser to fund new painted games. Ms Antoun collaborated with the GPS community to design the painted games installed in 2023
  • Worked with CTTG Council and OLOH to have the Year 4/5/6 Playground updated
  • In partnership, the Joint User Agreement between GPS, OLOH and CTTG Council was reviewed, updated and agreed upon ensuring the shared facilities are maintained and expended fairly

Some notable mentions that Ms Antoun has contributed to during her time at GPS include:

  • Increased student achievement in NAPLAN and PAT Testing
  • Improved Maths results with the implementation of the Maths program
  • Focussed the Teaching and Learning to both student engagement and individualised learning through Professional Learning Communities of staff
  • Provided upskilling of staff in research-based best practices
  • Led in partnership with the Governing Council
  • Led the community through 2 External Reviews which saw the school continue building upon its strengths and dedication to improvement which is driven through the succinct School Improvement Plan

Ms Antoun has been an invaluable asset to our GPS community. She has contributed immensely to the learning and well-being of students and staff at Greenwith Primary School. We are deeply grateful for her outstanding role and dedication.

 

Natalie Maglio

Mrs Maglio joined the middle primary team at GPS in term 4 of 2019. Over the years, as well as being a much-loved teacher, Mrs Maglio also shared her passion for dance and took on the role of Cheer coach to ensure the continuation of the GPS Glamour Pom team. GPS has been so lucky to have Mrs Maglio, and we wish her all the very best in her new role.

Brigette Stapleton

Miss Stapleton also joined the GPS team in 2019. Over the past 4 years, she has perfected the ability to quickly develop a great understanding of her students and how to support and extend them. She became a much-loved and respected member of the GPS community.

 

We also farewelled Rachel Bassett, Zane Donaldson, Keeley Lyons and Grace Sodeman. Each of these teachers has taught with passion and made a positive difference in the lives of the students at Greenwith Primary School.