Principal's report 

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung People of the Kulin nation; past, present and those who will walk with us into the future.

We acknowledge the rich and unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas, educational practices and the hopes of all First Nations Peoples. We do this in the spirit of reconciliation as we move to a place of justice and partnership - together we work, learn, play and care for one another and this land.

Great start to 2023

It has been a great start to the school year. Students are settled and engaged. Our Blast Off program in each class is building a great community in each class, building skills to look after well-being, and setting the foundations for great learning.

We have warmly welcomed our Foundation students and new students across the school. They have settled in well and it is great to see them making new friendships and enjoying their time here.

Students have also had the opportunity to enjoy our new Specialist subject in 2023, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths). Mr. Barnden has developed a very exciting, hand-on STEM curriculum for the students. This is a great addition to the school and will enhance our students' ability to understand the world around them, think scientifically and build their capacity to be problem solvers.

I am sure it will be a great term and an exciting year here at Kalinda. I look forward to celebrating learning and all the achievements of our students as the year goes on.

Canteen in Term 1

With Justine unfortunately away for most of this term, the Parents and Friends Association are calling for volunteers to support selling some items from the canteen a few days per week. This will start with icy poles and gradually build up in what is offered.

If you are available to volunteer some time to support the canteen running in a limited way, then please contact the P&F via email at E: kalindapandf@gmail.com or by Facebook Message to 'Kalinda Parents and Friends'.

Gardening around the school

Ted has done a great job looking after the school over the summer break and continues to keep our lawns mowed and our buildings and play areas maintained.

However, we do have really big school grounds and we always welcome any families who are keen to look after a small area of our school grounds. If you are interested in doing some weeding, planting some flowers, etc on the weekend or during school hours then please contact me at shaun.mcclare@education.vic.gov.au

By working together we can keep making sure our school is a beautiful space for all of our students.

Enrolling for 2024

From the beginning of Term 2, we are able to accept enrolments for 2024 Foundation students. 

School Tours are open now. Tours can be booked in via this link

Japanese Teachers in 2023

Hiromi Sensei has taken 2023 off to spend the year with her mother in Japan. She will be missed this year, but we are glad she has taken this important time.

Our Japanese classes this year will be taught by White Sensei (increasing to two days per week this year) and we welcome Flanagan Sensei to the school. Flanagan Sensei is a highly experienced teacher, conversationally fluent in Japanese and she is a great addition to our staff. Please see Mrs. Hopkins' page for an introduction from Flanagan Sensei.

School Counsellor

One of our amazing School Counsellors, Emily Bieber, has successfully been recruited to a university teaching position. We would like to congratulate Emily on picking up this role and thank her for the amazing work she has done at Kalinda as our inaugural School Counsellor. She has developed this role, alongside the teachers and school leaders, to support our students very effectively.

Luckily Mel Jefferey, who began in Term 4 last year, has been able to take on Emily's hours. Mel will be at school on Monday, Wednesday and Friday each week.

Basketball Courts

The summer resurfacing of our two basketball courts is almost complete, and very soon, students and staff will enjoy playing on the new synthetic grass.

During the holiday break, the old surfaces were removed, renewal works were made to the base and the new synthetic grass featuring brighter colours and our school logo was laid.

Our basketball courts are integral to outdoor activities at Kalinda and this latest project will ensure many more years of enjoyment for all.

Thank you to our Project Manager, Vicki Beard, for managing these works, and to our Facilities Sub-committee for the work that went into planning these projects.

Host Families needed for 2023

We are so very fortunate at Kalinda Primary School to have the opportunity to host a Japanese Intern this year.  Over the last few years, we have been unable to have this program because of Covid, so we are very excited to be able to offer this amazing experience again to our Kalinda families.

Minori Ichihashi is arriving in April to stay with our Kalinda families for nine months. Minori is an elementary school teacher in Osaka.

Minori would like to teach our students about Japanese culture, modern and traditional life in Japan, Origami, Calligraphy, Japanese Animation, Video Games, and traditional children’s games. 

Minori loves horse riding, creating stop-motion animation, music, drawing, shopping, and spending time with animals.

We ask host families to provide a room and food for the intern. It is an intern's responsibility to organise what they do during the school holidays, but host families usually enjoy the weekends with the intern.

The intern pays a small weekly fee to the host family to help cover the cost of the stay. 

 Children of the host family have the opportunity to get exposed to Japanese culture and make a lasting friendship. Previous interns still keep in touch with their host families. 

We would appreciate your support again for our International Internship Program. If interested in being a Host Family please complete the form below and send it to our International Intern Co-ordinator, Cheryl Henry-Wild as soon as possible. 

Cheryl.henry-wild@education.vic.gov.au

Shaun McClare,

Principal 

Kalinda Primary School

We are kind. We are resilient. We are respectful.