Principal’s Report 19th August

Although I definitely miss the sunshine and the relaxation I enjoyed whilst on leave, I am so happy to be back at Lyndhurst and be part of all that is happening. During my leave, I headed north to the Northern Territory, spending time at Lorella Springs, a million-acre cattle property, a remote beach on the Gulf of Carpentaria, Kakadu National Park and many other amazing places. As I have said before, I love the quiet and solitude of the Australian Outback as well as the rugged beauty. Time around the campfire and staring at the millions of stars is such a renewing and relaxing experience.

Appreciation

My sincere thanks go to my leadership team for keeping the school running and in great order during my leave. Special thanks to Jamie Sharp who took over the Acting Principal role and to Moira McCann and Mansi Vadera, our Assistant Principals, who supported Jamie so well during this time. It is wonderful to be able to enjoy some leave with the complete confidence that a capable and committed and professional team are back here at the helm, keeping the Lyndhurst ship steering into the wind.

Book Week

Next week, we are celebrating Book Week! I’m really looking forward to the week, especially our dress-up parade and my chance to read one of the 2022 Shortlisted books at our assembly. I hope all our families received your invitation to come along and join us and I look forward to seeing many of you there. Celebrating books is such an important part of engaging children in reading, not just for information but for the sheer enjoyment of it. I obviously read a lot in my job but one of the joys of holiday breaks like the one I have just taken is the time to read just for pleasure. I read six books in six weeks! I think that’s a new record.

Professional Learning Day – Tracey Ezard

Last week, the whole staff was involved in a professional learning day with Tracey Ezard, a writer and presenter with whom we have previously worked in the past. The day was about renewing the collaborative professional learning culture we have here at Lyndhurst. It is a strong culture that exists across our school and it is one of collaboration, strong professional relationships and constant reflection and improvement. It was a fun and engaging day, enjoyed by all, that cemented the strong positive culture in our school. If you want to know more about Tracey and her work, go to https://www.traceyezard.com/

New School – Camms Road (Interim name)

Over the coming weeks, we can expect further updates on the 2023 opening of the new school over the Quarters Estate, currently named Camms Rd PS. I know that some families have already met with the Principal and have indicated they may be enrolling at the school. Having opened a new school myself, I know how important it is for the new Principal to have a clear idea of enrolment numbers, as well as Principals from the feeder schools. If you are intending moving to the new school, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can factor it into our 2023 planning.

2022 Victorian State Schools Spectacular

We are very proud to, once again, be part of the 2022 Victorian State Schools Spectacular, which brings together government school communities from across Victoria to produce a 3-hour live show including music, dance, circus arts, puppetry and skating. This year’s show will be performed to an audience of about 12,000 people at John Cain Arena on Saturday 10 September, over 2 shows at 1 pm and 6:30 pm.

Talented Victorian students will feature on stage, while many other students will work behind the scenes, gaining unique, on-the-job, professional experience. We have a contingent of our own talented students who will join the mass choir. It is always an amazing experience for the students and I am looking forward to attending the show. For a fun, family entertainment experience, and to cheer on our students from the audience, be quick to secure tickets through Ticketek.

Adult tickets cost $40; children aged under 15, $20; and concession, $30.

Buy 10 tickets and get one adult ticket free (the 11th ticket is free) by calling Group Bookings on 1300 364 001.

Principal Internship – Meet Alistair Sproal

On a path to his own Principalship, we welcome Alistair Sproal to our school for a four-week internship. Alistair is an Assistant Principal at Rowellyn Park PS and he will be working at Lyndhurst as part of the Principal preparation program. Below is Alistair’s own introduction.

Hello Lyndhurst Primary Community,

Thank you for welcoming me into your school for the next four weeks as I complete a Principal Internship. I am very excited to be meeting and getting to know as many of you as I can during this time.

I have been an Assistant Principal at Rowellyn Park Primary, in Carrum Downs for the last four years, and a teacher there as well for many more. I greatly enjoy the challenges of my position and it is my goal to become a principal in the near future.

I am married to Jacquie, and have two kids, Keeley and Morgan, who are 10 and 4 respectively. We all enjoy rugby (just watching), and follow the Melbourne Rebels and the Wallabies. My favourite holiday destination is a beach in Thailand, which I’m looking forward to hopefully getting back to soon.

Have you ever played two truths and a lie? Two of these things are true and one is a lie. Without asking me the questions directly, see if you can figure out which is which. Firstly, I am left-handed. Secondly, when I was younger I had orange and yellow hair. And lastly, I am currently leading the footy-tipping competition at Rowellyn Park.

Alistair

District Athletics

Best wishes to our talented athletes who will head off, on Friday, to the District Athletics. I’m sure they will be inspired by the athletic feats of our Commonwealth Games athletes and will represent our school with pride.

2023 Enrolments

We are currently in the midst of planning for 2023 and it is that time of year again when we are asking our community to give us all the information we need to make accurate staffing and resources forecasts. If your children are leaving our school, please let us know as soon as possible. If you have or know of a child of school age for 2023, who is eligible for enrolment at our school and who has not yet enrolled, please contact us as soon as possible. Please note that we are under an enrolment Management Plan, designated by the Regional Office of the Department of Education. We can only take enrolments from within our Neighbourhood Zone, or who already have siblings at our school.

Greg Lacey

Principal

The Growing Patch