From the Principal
Dear Parents & Carers
Here we are in the final weeks of the 2021 school year! Congratulations to all for the positive energy and sense of teamwork that has been shared, making additional challenges much more manageable.
I would like to take the opportunity to once again acknowledge and thank our children, families, staff and our entire school community for their resilience, dedication and understanding during this extraordinary year.
I truly believe that this year has been a time of growth, whether that be in an understanding of the complexities of learning or in a far greater mutual respect of the role we all play in the development of our most precious children.
The end of the year is close, and at Queen of Peace we still have plenty of time for focused learning. Our teachers are busy writing reports that will inform families of student achievement this semester. Our students have had a different year so we are determined to provide high quality learning to the very last day. Many of our end of year celebrations will look and feel different but we are determined to ensure that they are still special for our students.
Thank you to the staff at Queen of Peace. They are a committed and dedicated group of people who continue to provide a learning environment that is both educationally challenging and nurturing for your children. We also thank Father John for his ongoing support and spiritual guidance of our school and in particular our students. Thank you to the families for your continued support of our school.
A number of families will end their primary education journey with us this year. Many of these families have had a long association with the school and their contribution has been significant. We thank them for their support and commitment to Queen of Peace and wish them well in the future.
Congratulations to our Year 6 graduates. We thank you for your leadership and the positive role modelling that you give our school community. We wish you well as you move onto the next stage of your education.
We have decided to cancel large group gatherings with families for the remainder of the year. This includes Christmas Carols and Graduation. Mrs Wilson is working with the music classes to record Christmas Carols so that we can view the carols online. You will receive more information via Seesaw about the carols. The Year 6 teachers will send additional information home regarding graduation celebrations. The graduation will be live streamed for family viewing but only students and staff will be in attendance.
We will continue to keep you updated and informed. Every decision will be based around keeping our students, staff and community safe.
End of Year School Reports
End of year school reports will be available for you to access via the nForma Parent Portal on Friday December 10. Your username and password are the same ones used for mid-year reports, or you can use this LINK to access the portal and reset your password if needed. If you are still having trouble accessing the report, please email Michael Ozbun: mozbun@qopaltonameadows.catholic.edu.au
Staffing News 2022
Helen McColl is retiring to travel and spend more time with family. Helen has been teaching at QoP for 7 Years after making a positive contribution to Catholic Education for over 38 years. During that time, Helen has been in leadership positions including 9 years as Deputy Principal at St Johns Footscray. Helen’s strength and passion as a teacher will be sadly missed by our students, families and staff at Queen of Peace. We wish her great happiness.
Melissa Evgeniadis has accepted a position as full time Learning Diversity Leader at Corpus Christi Primary School in Werribee in 2022 and will be greatly missed by all in our community. We wish her all the best as she takes on this important leadership position. Melissa has been at QOP for 7 years and will be greatly missed by the children, families and staff. Melissa has made an amazing contribution to the professional culture of our school. We wish her all the best.
Maternity Leave
Belinda Palamara will be taking maternity leave in 2022 as she and husband Julien await the arrival of their first child in January. We know the children and school community will miss Belinda. We wish her all the best.
At the end of Term 3, Michelle Mamone and Loren Jubb finished as per their doctors' recommendation and they will continue their maternity leave in 2022. We wish them and their respective families all the best with their new additions.
New Teaching Staff 2022
We look forward to welcoming these teachers to QoP in 2022:
Tina Krstevski - Currently teaching at Yarraville West Primary School
Jackson Menadue - Graduating from Victoria University
Laura Shannon - Currently teaching at Our Lady Help of Christians School, Brunswick East
Charlotte Turner - Graduating from Victoria University
Nicole Woodward - Currently teaching at St Paul's Rutherford , NSW
Whole School Orientation
On Wednesday 8 December from 9-10am we will have our whole school Orientation where the children will spend time in the morning with their new grade and teacher/s. This is an exciting time for all children and teachers as the fresh start holds new possibilities and new challenges. Parents, you play an important role ensuring you provide the hope and enthusiasm for the year to come for your child. Having a positive attitude will help your child dismiss any concerns or worries they may have.
End of Year Mass/Final Assembly
Unfortunately, we will not be able to celebrate a whole school mass this year. However, classes will be involved in Prayer services during Advent and to celebrate the end of the year.
On Wednesday 15 December, our final assembly will only involve our staff and students. During this assembly we will acknowledge some of our students’ achievements and we will also be announcing our School Captains for 2022. We will farewell our Year 6 cohort and wish them well on their journey to secondary school.
Important Dates for 2022
also listed in the final section of newsletter
The dates for school beginning next year are below.
*In 2022, there will be a slight change to the morning routine. Gates will now be locked at 8.50am. All students arriving after 8:50am must enter through the main office and will be considered late. Please ensure your child is at school ready to begin learning promptly at 8:50am.
Prep:
Monday 31 January 8:50am – 1pm
Tuesday 1 February 8:50am – 1pm
(No school for Preps on all Wednesdays in February)
From Thursday 3 February, normal school time; 8:50-3:30 (3pm on Mondays)
Years 1-6:
Literacy Testing:
Monday 31 January and Tuesday 1 February * by PTO appointment
Classes begin on Wednesday 2 February 8:50 - 3:30
Candy Canes
As in previous years may I please request that while some children may choose to exchange Christmas cards, they are asked not to give out candy canes. These are high in sugar, wrapped in plastic which ends up throughout the garden, and not suitable for eating at school. Thank you in anticipation for your support with this request.
Warm Regards
Darren Gibbons
Principal
