From the Principal 

Dear Parent and Carers,

As we rapidly head towards the end of another busy term it is important to reflect on the success our students have all achieved. For some students, it was their first time going on a bus or on an excursion, for others attending sporting days, but most of all, having their first 6 months back at school together. 

Our Foundation students have experienced school from the past, our Grade 1’s have been to the Museum, the Grade 2’s have learnt about Wild Weather, our Grade 3s and 4s have had swimming and a whole school expo next week, while our 5-6 students have started to get back into Inter-School Sports and getting ready for camp. Listening to our students talk about their experiences and the connections they are making between books they have read and shared within their class and the experience is extremely pleasing, it will also further develop their comprehension.

Last newsletter I let everyone know about the Sustainability Victoria Resource Smart Awards, while we didn’t win, our school came 3rd out of all schools in Victoria which is an outstanding achievement. We have a number of students who are eating nude food and are very proud of their lunchboxes.  On Sunday our school will be a Flu and COVID Vaccine hub, the hub will be open from 11:30am till 1:30pm. This is provided by the Department of Health. It is free, anyone can walk in to receive a vaccine; they will be setup in our hall.

Curriculum Day and Reports 

Our Curriculum Day last week focused on Writing and increasing motivation and engagement in Writing. This Curriculum Day brings together a 6 month Professional Learning program all of our teachers have completed. This Professional Learning was incorporated into Tuesday’s Term 3 Planning day. 

The Semester 1 Reports will be available on Sentral from Wednesday at 4pm. Shane and I have read all of them and it is extremely pleasing to see all of the outstanding learning growth our students have achieved.  We have already begun planning the Student Led Conferences for Term 3, whereby your children will guide you through their learning and goals they have been working on. We will be sending the dates out for the conferences early in Term 3.

Term 3 Staffing Update 

Sarah McCann will be commencing Maternity Leave at the end of this Term. Bec Whittingham is coming from Brunswick East Primary School to Somerville. I am sure, like me you wish Sarah and Alex all the very best as they welcome their baby into the world. Bec is a highly experienced teacher and I am sure she will love our school and community. Bec has recently moved down to the Peninsula

Ben Benton is leaving at the end of Term to focus on Music, we wish Ben all the best. Replacing Ben is Claire Turner, Claire is joining us from Seaford Park Primary School.  Claire is a highly experienced teacher with experience both internationally and within the State and private school systems in Victoria. I am sure she will love our school and community.

We have Katharine Goschnick joining the Somerville Team from Term 3, Katharine will be our new Chaplain. She has a wealth of knowledge and experience and is a Somerville local. 

Donna Dower will be continuing her leave in Term 3, Shae Kent will continue as 3D’s teacher. 

2023 Enrolments 

We are still taking Foundation 2023 enrolments. I would ask all families who have siblings or that have friends who are intending to send their child to Somerville for 2023 to please ensure they have completed the enrolment pack and brought it back to the school as soon as possible. We will be sending out information packs with a special award for our Future Somerville Students. Further information regarding our Transition Program and Information Evening dates very soon! Having the enrolment information now also will help ensure we can facilitate a successful transition with all of our local Kindergartens and make connections with the child’s current teachers. 

As this is our last Newsletter for Term 2, I wish everyone a safe and happy holiday. I’m going to continue training Ernie, so hopefully he doesn’t keep stealing the TV Remote, its still his favourite toy! I would encourage all families to continue reading, cooking is a great holiday maths/science and reading activity and maybe even watching some Teenager Boss and taking control for planning out meal costs and an interest in the household budget! 

Keep Warm and I’ll see you at the gate.

David Tapp