Principal's Message

Principal's Report

Congratulations Jan

The wonderful Jan Selleck in our office, the person most of you will know very well, has received a promotion to Business Manager and will take up this new position at Docklands Primary School from Monday, September 7. 

Jan has been our mainstay in the office, having been with our school from the outset. She has been kind, caring and compassionate to all of our students, staff and community.  Jan has been such a willing learner and always sought to 'go one better' with her knowledge. It is a credit to this ethic that she grew into securing the new role at the new school. We are so proud of her. She exemplifies our values of Character, Community and Learning.

Jan leaves behind a wonderful organisation that she helped develop and grow. She will now take these skills into the incredible challenge of opening up a new school in the post-COVID environment. It will be no easy task, but Jan is built with the right stuff.

On behalf of our entire school community, I know you will join me in wishing Jan all the best as she embarks on this wonderful, new adventure.

Well done, Jan. We are so grateful for everything you have done for us.

Our Wonderful Students - Two Videos

I received two little videos from parents this week showing pure joy. 

The first is from the parents of Tanishka. This wonderful, young student is jumping for joy after viewing the online assembly and receiving the news that she was a Remote Learning Superstar.

The second video is from the parents of Stella who had been working so hard at her automatic responses in Maths Invaders. After lots of practice, she got to level 9 and could not have been happier. Look at the joy on her face - priceless!

For teachers, the faces of these students make our job worthwhile. I hope your child receives similar joy when achieving a goal they have set for themselves.

Thanks to both parents for brightening up our day by sending them through.

Shout Out to Our Wonderful Staff - Please Contribute - Link to Wall

Staff at SMPS are so appreciative of the children and parents. Shhhhh, they don't know I am posting this and asking you to make a positive comment - keep it secret and I will show them the page you write on next week as a big surprise.

Post an anonymous "Shout Out Message" on the wall here.

SMPS STAFF APPRECIATION WALL LINK

Lockdown Countdown

We are seven weeks into a ten week term. I always advise people not to count days down because this time will never come again and, therefore, must be cherished. It is, however, natural to dislike being in a lockdown situation. The thought of our students spending days away from friends, in front of a screen, is not one I imagined when I took up teaching. The question has to be, "How do we make the most of the situation?" The optimistic thought also should be, "This too, shall pass." 

We should be role models for our children on how to handle situations with grace and strength. We should show them vulnerability, along with courage under pressure. I believe, from what I know, that you are being incredible parents and role models for your children. 

Assembly

Thanks to all parents for helping their children access my Compass Newsfeed to them. Lots of students logged in and saw the assembly.

Just in case the technology did not work, here is a copy of the assembly for you to view. It has the Remote Superstars presented with a photo and a story, so check to see if your child or friend is in there.

Are You Leaving?

It is incredibly important for our school (and your child's new school) if you are leaving at the end of the year for us to know. Transitioning is crucial for young students and we want to support all we can. Further, our planning for classes depends on knowing this information. Please contact the school if you know (or think you know) that you will leave us between now and the end of the year.

Wellbeing Contact

A reminder that we have support available for students should anything get tough in the home. Our Wellbeing Coordinator, Ant Douglas, is on hand to give your child assistance. Here are the contact details.

• Wellbeing Phone Number: 0434 541 066
• Wellbeing Email Address: wellbeing@southmelbourneps.vic.edu.au