From the Principal
A message from the Principal
Staffing News 2019
It is with great sadness and excitement that we announce some staff changes for 2019. As previously communicated, Anne Price is retiring and will be replaced by Michael Ozbun as Deputy Principal. After 41 years in Catholic Education, Kevin Cronin, our ICT Leader has also decided to retire. Kevin has been instrumental in directing and implementing the computer and technology programs at Queen of Peace and has worked at the school since 2012. Kevin has worked in a number of schools as well as an advisor with Catholic Education Melbourne. Victorian Catholic schools have benefited greatly from his tireless work and innovations in ICT.
Loren Jubb, Year 6 and Nicole Williams, Year 2 are both expecting and will take Maternity Leave in 2019 while Natalie Enright, Year 6 will take Study Leave during 2019. Naomi Rennie, Year 2 has accepted a position at St Thomas Aquinas in Norlane, Geelong. We thank all these teachers for their time, passion and dedication to the students and their families at Queen of Peace, they will be dearly missed.
In 2019 we will welcome Lisa Vella who is currently teaching at St Mary’s in Altona, Patrick Craig who taught at St Lawrence in Derrimut, McCabe Craig who is currently teaching at Corpus Christi in Werribee and Lauren Middlebrook a graduate Teacher from ACU who greatly impressed us during her final, pre- service placement in Year 1 at Queen of Peace this year. We will also welcome back from Maternity Leave Lisa-Marie Fiorenza, Nicole Walsh and Natasha Manger.
End of Year & Beginning of Next Year Arrangements
I would like to confirm the following dates for the end of this year and beginning of next year:
· School for all children concludes with an End of Year Mass at 9:15am Wednesday 19 December, followed by a final Assembly at 1:00pm. All children will be dismissed at 1:30pm from the school hall.
· Teachers return on Tuesday 29 January 2019
· Preps will begin 2019 on Thursday 31 January at 9:00am and finish at 1:00pm
· Friday 1 February Preps will again go home at 1:00pm
· Friday 1 February Children in Years 1 - 6 will begin 2019 at 8:55am and will be here for the full day and dismissed at 3:30pm
Whole School Orientation – Monday 10 December
On Monday 10 December we will have our whole school Orientation where the children will spend the time after recess with their new grade and teacher/s. This is an exciting time for all children and teachers as the fresh start hold new possibilities and new challenges.
End of Year Family Celebration 'The Spirit of Christmas' - Tuesday 11 December
Not long to wait now! Office staff are enjoying hearing students rehearse for the upcoming concert. The End of Year Family Celebration will begin around 5:30pm with a picnic in the school grounds. You might like to bring along your own picnic or there will be savouries and sweets to purchase from food vans. At around 7:00pm each of our year levels will take to the stage to perform Christmas songs. Families will be able to sit back on their rugs and chairs and enjoy a wonderful evening. There will be no charge for the evening and you are not limited to who you bring, so bring along as many family members as you like. Please note, unlike previous years we do not have a back up date as this has proven difficult with suppliers unwilling to pencil in/block out extra dates in their busy diaries. In the event that the weather is against us, we will invite families to congregate and socialise in the hall instead, however the students would not be able to perform in this scenario. So let's all keep our fingers crossed for a warm, clear and pleasant summer evening that will allow us to celebrate the festive season together outdoors.
Parents & Friends Association
A special thank you to the outgoing members of the Executive Committee:
Teresa Prismall - President, Sharon Hobson - Vice President, Jacky Milat - Co-Secretary, Brendan Halloran - Social Officer, Bridget Halloran - Pastoral Officer and Gina Petterson - Vice-Treasurer.
Congratulations and thank you to the following parents who were elected to the Executive Committee at the P&F AGM last week:
· President - Rebecca Whelan
· Treasurer - Maureen Puopolo
· Secretary - Ronnie Tucker
· Gardens & Grounds - Justin Magro
· Fundraising - Brandy Magro *TBC at Meeting 1, 2019
· Social/Pastoral - Cindy Taylor *TBC at Meeting 1, 2019
However, there are still two vacant positions:
· Vice-President
· Grants Applications Officer
If you are interested in undertaking any of these positions, please contact me or email pandf@qopaltonameadows.catholic.edu.au. It would be great if all parents could seriously consider nominating him/herself as it is a great way to get involved in the school - to help out our children and help strengthen the community here at Queen of Peace. The next meeting will be held Monday 11 February.
Warm regards
Darren Gibbons - Principal
