Billanook Biala

Principal's Message 

Term Two has flown by even though it’s been an eleven week stretch. It has been a fantastic term for learning as well as a multitude of special events. Highlights of Term Two have included:

  • A student led ANZAC Day assembly
  • House and District Cross Country events
  • Year 6 children transition session at Lilydale High School
  • Montrose Library visits
  • Winter Interschool Sport
  • National Simultaneous Storytime
  • Year 1/2 Mont De Lancey excursion
  • Foundation incursion
  • Nugget Day
  • Coin line up for the Library
  • 2026 Foundation Information Event 
  • NAPLAN
  • Lunchtime Clubs
  • Education Week, including an open afternoon
  • Special lunch days
  • Curriculum Day – 3-way conferences
  • School Photos
  • Mother’s Day breakfast and Mother’s day stall
  • Lego Masters Social Skills Club

Staff Update

 

Michelle Pezzimenti who teaches 6A will be beginning a new role next term. Michelle has been appointed as the inaugural head of campus for the newly formed independent Year 10 – 12 Urban College. She will be establishing the brand-new Croydon campus. Michelle came to Billanook from a secondary school background, and we know that she will be a huge asset to Urban College and the students she will be working with. 

 

Michelle has been an outstanding classroom teacher at Billanook, we thank her for the energy that she has put into her work and the care that she has bestowed upon our children. She is a very popular teacher with students and parents and a fantastic supportive colleague for her peers.

 

We have been fortunate to find an experienced teacher to replace Michelle.  Sushma Gusain will be teaching 6A in Term 3. Sushma has been a teacher for over 20 years, she is coming to us from Flowerdale Primary School. We are very excited to welcome Sushma to our community. 

  

Chris Berry baby

 

Earlier this month Chris Berry (teacher of 4A) and his wife Megan were excited to welcome baby Oscar to their family. Oscar’s big sister Harper was very excited to have her brother finally arrive. Chris has been on paternity leave for the last couple of weeks and we look forward to his return in Term 3.

 

 

 

 

 

Playground update

 

We met with the Department of Education contractors yesterday to begin the planning process for the removal of the old portable classrooms from our site.  We have been waiting 18  months for the Department of Education tender process so to say we are excited is an understatement!  

 

The contractors are going to begin the demolition works in the July holidays and hope to have the site works completed in the following weeks. 

 

Once the portables have been removed, we can finally begin our new playground. We have plans in place and contractors ready to go. The area surrounding the new playground will be fenced off to ensure it’s safe for all members of our community. The school community has raised significant funds for the playground project, and it will be wonderful to finally see it being completed. 

 

Have a great mid-year holiday break.  Hopefully the weather warms up a little.  

We look forward to having everyone back at school on Monday 21 July.

 

Regards,

Michael Puddy