Acting Principal's Report

What a brilliant start to the year we have had at Chatham! Students are now thoroughly immersed in their learning and are also completely engaged in the many extra-curricular opportunities on offer at this time of year. I have really enjoyed chatting with families at the gate in the mornings and afternoons, and your infectious enthusiasm for our school and upcoming activities is truly uplifting.

Year 6 Leadership Positions 2026

Yesterday, I had the absolute privilege of announcing our Year 6 Leadership positions to our 2026 cohort of students. Our Year 6 teachers have worked forensically to finalise this process, taking into account student preferences to enable student voice and agency within this process and program. Our Leadership Program is unique, in that all Year 6 students at Chatham hold an important role of leadership within the school. For one hour per week, our students meet with a designated staff member in their leadership groups to enact often self-driven initiatives within the school, as well as to support the operation of various curriculum areas of the school, which often involves the mentoring of younger students. Over the years, our students have instigated many initiatives across the school within their roles, and our feedback from our local secondary schools has always been that our students demonstrate strong initiative and public speaking skills, which we attribute in part to the success of this program. 

I am delighted to announce the following Year 6 leaders for 2026: 

We look forward to presenting our Year 6 leaders with their commemorative jumper and leadership badge at our special assembly on Monday 2nd March.

School Council Elections 2026

On Wednesday 18th February 2026, I informed our school community regarding the Declaration of the Poll for the 2026 School Council Elections. Our first meeting of the new School Council is to be conducted on Monday 16th March 2026. At this meeting, the School Council determines the Office Bearers for 2026. Prior to electing the Office Bearers, the School Council has the opportunity to consider the provision of two co-opted Community Members.

On Monday 16th February 2026, we had our last meeting of our existing School Council. Vacancies on Council are created because the tenure of Councillors has expired or their children are entering secondary school. This was the final meeting for Mr Ashley Davies, convenor of our Buildings and Grounds Committee; Ms Sophie Rigg; and Mr Rob Martinelli. We are highly appreciative and grateful for the contributions of these parents. 

At the close of the School Council Election process, we congratulate the following persons:

Currently the School Council has the opportunity to nominate two other parents/carers for the Community Member vacancies.

Community members can be parents/carers or other interested members of the community, and at the discretion of the School Council, can be appointed for a term of one or two years. If you are interested in being considered for a Community Member vacancy, please email me directly at georgina.kirwan@education.vic.gov.au by Wednesday 11th March 2026.

Surrey Hills Music Festival – Saturday 28th February 2026

We are thrilled to have been invited to participate in the Surrey Hills Music Festival for the first time this year! Under the guidance of Yanai from Tuned-In Kids, our famous Chatham rock bands, Acorn Rush and The Late Midnights, will be kicking off proceedings at 1:00pm, on the main stage. The students involved in the bands are Eddie L, Liam C, Leopold P-C, Jake T, former student August K, Maddy R, Clementine K, Dina K-H and Jillian A.

More information and the event map can be found at: https://www.surreyhillsmusicfestival.com/program-1

We will also be running a cake stall at the event and ‘cake packs’ were distributed to the eldest child in each family today, with the hope that families may be able to donate a cake of other sweet treat for the sale. We are truly appreciative of your time and efforts in supporting this fundraiser, and cakes can be dropped off to school next Friday or to the event on Saturday (look for the Chatham marquee!). 

Please come along on 28th February to enjoy the music and be sure to drop in and visit the Chatham stall. A big thank you must go to Ms Bree Knights, Ms Pam Nasiakos and Ms Lisa Almond who have been instrumental in organising this brilliant opportunity for our school. We look forward to an electric day of sounds and sweets! 

Year 4-6 House and District Swimming Carnivals

It was fantastic to witness the excitement of our annual House Swimming Carnival last Tuesday at Bialik College. The event ran seamlessly and I thank Mr Walter Boulton for his organisation in bringing this event to fruition and of course, the wonderful parent/carer helpers who were able to volunteer their time to assist on the day. Students enjoyed commencing proceedings with the customary House chants and then giving their all to not only compete, but also cheer on one another. It was great to see Mr Boulton facilitating an event for less confident swimmers this year too. The atmosphere was energised, but calm and orderly, as students and parents/carers alike enjoyed the camaraderie and friendly rivalry between the four Houses. Congratulations to Corbett House for taking first place overall on this occasion. 

From this event, our District swimming team was selected to compete against other schools in the Kooyong area at the Boroondara Sports Complex last Tuesday. We were delighted to have 22 students competing and all of our students gave their absolute best in the 50m pool, and we congratulate Jude K who achieved a first placing in the 10-Year-Old Boys’ 50m Butterfly event. Jude will therefore represent Chatham at the Division Swimming Carnival also to be held at the Boroondara Sports Complex. Congratulations also to Hariett C and Sophie H who achieved a third placing in their respective events. Well done to all our District Team - we are very proud of you! Thank you again to Mr Boulton, and also to Ms Sue Minshull and Ms Jen Ukich who managed our team on the day, and of course to the parents and carers who came along to encourage all our students at the event.

State Schools’ Spectacular 2026

As mentioned previously, following a stringent application process, our school was successful in achieving a position in the 2026 State Schools’ Spectacular Mass Dance Ensemble. We are aware that places for 2026 were truly oversubscribed, so we are thrilled that our Year 6 students will once again have this brilliant opportunity. Currently, we have our selected team of Year 6 students with their profiles and media release forms uploaded, and their costume measurements all submitted, in preparedness for their first area rehearsal in March. Mr Zac Barry, Ms Cathy Townsend and Ms Leda Semercioglu have all been instrumental in assisting with these tasks and we look forward to exciting times ahead in this space! 

Year 3 – 6 School Camps for 2026

At the present time, Mr Zac Barry is currently in deliberations to secure a Year 5/6 Camp for 2026. Multiple options are being explored in this space, with factors such as activities on offer and suitability of weather all being considered. Dates and plans will be communicated with families once finalised.  Our Year 3/4 Camp to Lyrebird Lodge in Yellingbo has been booked for 2nd-4th September, with more information to follow closer to the date.

Year 3 and 5 National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) 2026

Yesterday I sent a communication to our Year 3 and 5 families regarding our upcoming arrangements for NAPLAN 2026.

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual national assessment for all students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9, and is the only nationwide assessment that all Australian children undertake. 

Students sit assessments in writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. The assessments are all completed online, with the exception of the Year 3 writing assessment, which is a handwritten assessment. 

The testing window for this year is between Wednesday 11th March and Monday 23rd March. If your child is away on one of the testing dates, we will endeavour to make this up within the testing window.

Please see below the dates of assessment, times and further information pertaining to each assessment:

School Culture and Values 

From the first day of the school year, we have had a direct focus upon our motto of ‘Being Safe, Fair and Kind’. This is fundamental to our school culture and values, and is inculcated by students, staff and parents/carers alike. Additionally, in each class and specialist area, teachers have developed Classroom and Specialist Agreements, which outline a code of behaviour and expectations for all to follow in the learning space. The agreements enshrine both our motto and the school values of honesty, responsibility, partnership, resilience, learning and respect. The introduction of an Assistant Principal’s award focused on the School Values this year has also promoted and fostered a connection for students with the school values, with the feedback for this award being provided in real time. We are delighted with the momentum this is creating in this area. The school motto, values and associated expectations of conduct are also provided to those visiting the school or on short-term placements. Importantly, any staff who work in our school on a casual basis are made very aware of our expectations in this area, as well as our strict observation of the Child Safe Standards.

Parent Contributions 2026

Please be advised that the Parent Contributions were due on Thursday 19th February 2026. These funds are crucial to pay for student stationery, workbooks and supplies, and various programs and materials for special activities.

At the end of next week, all families will receive their Family Statement, and if payments have been made towards the tax deductable Building Fund and Library Fund, the statement can be used for tax purposes. 

Foundation – Year 6 Parent/Carer Information Afternoon Sessions

Our teachers have really enjoyed having the opportunity to meet with the parents and carers of their class over the last two weeks during our Semester 1 Parent-Teacher Discussions. These meetings have been very productive and insightful, and instrumental in assisting our teachers to enable our students to reach their full potential.

Just a reminder that our upcoming Parent/Carer Information Afternoon Sessions will be occurring next week at the following dates and times for each level:

Foundation – Tuesday 24th February 3:45pm – 4:30pm in the FKB classroom 

Year 1/2 – Tuesday 24th February 3:45pm – 4:30pm in the 1/2B classroom

Year 3/4 – Wednesday 25th February 3:45pm – 4:30pm in the 3/4L classroom

Year 5/6 – Thursday 26th February 3:45pm – 4:30pm in the 5/6B classroom

These sessions will be a great opportunity for parents and carers to hear about the programs, upcoming events and operational matters pertaining specifically to that level. Together with our level newsletters distributed on 6th February, these sessions provide parents and carers with greater insight into the happenings of the classroom. 

We look forward to more wonderful times ahead at Chatham.

Thank you,

Georgina Kirwan

Acting Principal