Principal's Report 

Term 4

The 2021 school year has once again challenged us as we have moved in and out of lockdown and remote learning. Thank you once again to the school community for working together for the common purpose of educating our students. 

On Tuesday we held our Transition Day and students across the school spent the day with their new teacher and class in their 2022 classroom. Please note that classes and teachers are still subject to change. We welcomed over twenty new students and, despite some early nerves, all left with smiles on their faces at the end of the day. We all have much to look forward to in 2022.

Last Thursday was our Year 12 Graduation and, while the format was a little different due to the COVID Safe environment, it was an emotional afternoon as our students all read their speeches reflecting their educational journey. All students will be participating in further education or employment next year and we wish them all the very best for the future.  We look forward to the Year 6 Graduation on Thursday and the Secondary 7/8 performance of Hairspray on Friday evening.

We anticipate that 2022 will once again provide the opportunity for our students to participate in the wide variety of programs we offer. It will be wonderful to see the return of school camps, swimming, incursions, excursions and inter-school sport.

Staff Farewells

Chris Norman is retiring this year after 32 years of dedicated service to Concord School. Chris began teaching at the school in April 1989 and commenced as the Team Leader of the Middle school (now known as Upper Primary) in 2003. Chris is known for the deep care she has displayed towards students, their families and the staff she has led and mentored. Chris has worked tirelessly in ensuring that the funding levels of our student have been maximised and that their academic, social and behavioural needs have been met so that they ‘can be the best that they can be’. Chris has positively influenced the  lives of hundreds of students and their families and will be greatly missed.

Deb Whiteway has been an integral part of the Concord School community for more than 11 years. She has a positive energy and has happily greeted all students and families across both the Bundoora and Watsonia Campuses. We wish Deb all the best as she moves down to the beach for some well-earned relaxation. Thank you for your commitment to Concord School.

Amanda Dermott has taught at Concord School since 2005 in the Upper and Lower Primary sections of the school. Amanda is an extremely dedicated, knowledgeable and personable staff member whose work with our students in their formative years has given them the skills and personable attributes to succeed in their later years of schooling. Amanda will be teaching in a primary school next year closer to her home and we wish her well.

Nicole Haspell has delivered speech pathology to students at Concord School since 2010. She has passed on her vast knowledge to students, staff and her allied health colleagues. We wish her well in her work at Laurimar PS and outside of the schooling system.

Thank you also to Khala Hawken and Chloe Villiva for their contributions to Concord School. 

I will introduce you to our talented newly appointed staff in the first newsletter of 2022.

I would like to thank all of the staff at Concord School for your dedication in ensuring our students are ‘the best they can be’. Thanks also to our parents and carers who work so hard to support the students. A very special thank you to our students who continue to inspire us. Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We look forward to Monday 31st of January when we welcome back our students for their first day of 2022.

Please note that on the evening of Wednesday 2nd February we will hold an Information Evening for all Upper Primary, Secondary 7/8 and Secondary 9/10 families and a Meet the Teacher Evening on Tuesday 15th February for all students and families.

See You in 2022

Jason Coningsby

Principal