Across Oliver's Desk 

Dear Parents & Carers,

It’s been a very busy few weeks, the highlight for me was our house sports day, seeing so many children with ribbons and smiles is just wonderful. I also love it when ‘you’ the parents are in the school. Thank you as always for supporting your kids and our school community. 

Of course I’m again happy that the teachers won the Teachers Vs Parents and students relay race, even though Vic Barnard ended her run with a face plant. It was the ninth year in a row the teachers have won this race. And for nine years Jacinta Van Eijk has been trying to find a way for the parents to win but she informed me this year that she is handing over the baton. Jacinta couldn’t run this year so the blame has to fall on someone else. Kristy Radford also didn’t run this year but is a great runner, so we are going blame Kristy this year. Maybe next year you can get a good team together Kristy! 

OUR GORGEOUS CHILDREN

Congratulations to our wonderful Preps that have started the year so well. I keep hearing in meetings about the COVID children and how much they are struggling. We really are don’t see that at our school. Our Preps have started as well as any group I can remember in my 8 years as Principal.

We really do have wonderful children at our school. Every day I see students looking out for other students in the corridors, in class and in the yard. Our current group of grade five and six students are so caring of their Prep buddies and other junior school students, I’m so proud of them. Of course like all schools there are sometimes disputes between students, but really we have very few. At the moment I am doing quite a lot of tours for perspective parents, on every tour our kids are the stars as they demonstrate enthusiasm, a love of learning and have huge smiles when you walk in. I really love my job and our gorgeous students. 

SCHOOL REVIEW

Every school is independently reviewed every four years. The first day of our review was last Tuesday. The panel is made up of the reviewer, two principals from other schools, my boss Dee Deklijn and some teachers from our school. they toured the school and I believed they all marvelled at the brilliant teaching they saw and the calm orderly environment we pride ourselves on. They also congratulated the school on all the wonderful academic results the school has had over the last four years. Noting that we are consistently way above similar schools. The review has two more days to go. Once we have the reviews findings, I will certainly let you know.

ATTENDANCE

It is so important that students attend everyday possible. There is a high risk that children that have poor attendance at Primary School will become school refusers particularly at Secondary College.

• If for any reason your child must miss school, please speak with your child’s classroom teacher so that they can suggest what you might do at home to help with the lessons that have been missed. 
• Remember, EVERY DAY COUNTS. If your child must miss school, please send a note of explanation or contact the school via the Compass App. 
• Sickness  – There are always times when students need to miss school, such as when they’re ill. It’s vital that they’re only away on the days they are genuinely sick, and setting good sleep patterns, eating well and exercising regularly can make a big difference. 
• ‘Day off’ – Please think twice before letting your child have a ‘day off’ as they will miss important learning on that day – EVERY DAY COUNTS! For example, almost everyone that goes to work, has to work on their birthday. I believe we send the totally wrong message to children if you give them a day off because it’s their birthday. 

Please contact us if your child is often claiming they are sick in the mornings. Our welfare office is well equipped to give parents advice and strategies. 

SCHOOL COUNCIL

Our school council nominations have been completed. The following parents and staff members will make up our school council for 2024.

School council sets the direction of the school and checks to make sure that proper procedures are being followed particularly with school finances. The following parents and staff make up this year’s school council. 

Congratulations to our new councillors being elected (Amy Burton and Kaeli Haines) and to our new School Council President (Kieran Cantwell and Vice President Amanda Murphy).

Our first meeting of the year was last Monday. At that meeting school council discussed the school’s direction and priorities for the year. Also our business manager Jacqueline Eycken comes to council to make sure that council is clearly aware of how school finances are being used. 

ADELE ORMSBY AND ALEX SYME

I would like to publicly thank Adele and Alex for their contributions to our school council over a long period of time. Both Adele and Alex have been on council when majors changes have been made to the school, like our school re-build. I thank them for their commitment and dedication to our school. Our school is a better place because of the thankless work that people like Adele and Alex have put in. I do hope they enjoy having more spare time now that they don’t have to attend all the meetings.

SWIMMING WEEK

Swimming week is coming up for our 3-6 children. Please look out for our compass communications to advise you on the procedures and what the children will need. 

Have a great week!

And remember when life gets a little difficult escape to the wonderful world of a book!