Acting Principal's Message

Staff Movements

The School Leadership responsibility for management of staffing is quite significant at this time of year.  Congratulations to all teachers who have secured teaching positions and transfers for 2024 and we thank them for their service to Mount View students over the years. We also take this opportunity to welcome the new staff members who are joining the Mount View community. Those who are new to the school bring experience and enthusiasm to our 2024 team.

Appointments to Mount View PS

• Physical Education – Matt Johnson (Badger Creek PS)
• Visual Arts  – Tina Downard (MVPS)
• Classroom Teacher Positions
  • Rachel Chen (BASIS International School)
  • Chloe Easton (MVPS)
  • Melissa Stronnell (Malvern PS)
  • Jessica Carlon (Mount Eliza North PS)
  • Allie Young (MVPS)
  • Jade Scaranto (MVPS)
  • Emma Sercia (MVPS)
  • Laura McGregor (MVPS)
  • Thu Pham (Mont Albert PS)
  • Gudrun Evans (MVPS)

Transfers to Other Schools

• Farah Irani - Vermont South Special School
• Nathan Dunn - Leongatha PS

Promotion to other schools

• Libby Salter- Kilberry Valley PS (Learning Specialist)

Returning to MVPS

• Joshua Kamoen
• Amanda Curtain (Term 2)

Moving to other teaching and career opportunities

• Yuhan Chen
• Ylana Giaque
• Haishi Qin
• Natalie Gregor

Maternity Leave

• Stephanie Wild
• Jennifer King
• Caroline Barron

Teachers of the Deaf appointments

• Jacqueline Mitchell (Department of Education - Visiting Teacher)
• Narelle Simpson (MVPS)
• Samantha Karakinos (returning to MVPS)

Retirements

On behalf of the Mount View community, I would like to acknowledge the work of three of our long-term team members as they announce their retirements from full time work.

Glenn Butler - Principal,  announced earlier this year that he would be retiring on February 1st, 2024. Glenn has given nearly 50 years of service to the Department of Education. He began his career in 1975 as a student in training at State College, Coburg. Throughout his long involvement in education, he has taught at a number of schools including Langley PS, Glengala Park PS, St Albans East PS, Glenroy PS and James Cook PS.  In 1998 he became Assistant Principal at Scoresby PS and then in July 2000 he gained his first Principal role at Menzies Creek PS, followed by Principal of Ormond PS in 2005 and finally in July 2017 he became Principal at Mount View PS. 

During his time at Mount View he was involved with numerous achievements and milestones. To name a few, facility upgrades with playgrounds, re-design of school office/staffroom/Principal/library spaces, satellite libraries, assembly stage, 1:1 school owned devices in Junior school and outdoor learning spaces. Glenn is a keen chess player and the students will miss going the Principal's office and challenging him to a game over lunchtime. 

I’m sure the community will share with me their gratitude and appreciation to Glenn for his passion, dedication and commitment to the continuous improvement in student achievement and outcomes at Mount View Primary School.

Sue Fisher has announced that she will be retiring in 2024 after teaching at Mount View for over 15 years. Sue has most recently been one of our English as a Second Language team members. In this role she has been instrumental in supporting students from across the school as they enter their first Australian school. Sue's teaching skills and dedication has ensured that all her students settle and are exposed to various learning experiences. Sue also has extensive experience as a classroom-based teacher who has been exemplary to her colleagues, students and parents.

Lynne Robertson,  we would like to congratulate Lynne Robertson on 38 years of teaching service for the Department of Education in Victoria. We are very fortunate to have had her here at Mount View  Primary School for the last 28 years.  Lynne commenced her teaching profession at Newborough East Primary near Moe in 1985, and then spent time at Mount Wallace Primary school, then as an itinerant EAL consultant, and at Wantirna Primary School, before starting at Mount View in 1995.  She worked as a classroom teacher across most year levels.  In 2009, Lynne studied her master’s degree to become a Teacher of the Deaf and has been part of the Deaf Facility ever since.  Lynne has been a valued and professional member of our teaching team.  She is known for arriving at the crack of dawn every day and giving 110% to whatever she does.  Her dedication and passion for teaching children is to be commended.   Lynne will also be remembered for her  love of the environment and sustainability which she has encouraged and shared with school communities over her long career. She has been an innovative leader in this area and has been responsible for numerous initiatives including, but not limited to: establishing Mount View as an energy efficient school,  installation of solar panels and water tanks, leading of the student Green Teams, recognising the annual Earth Hour event, and establishing and maintaining our vegetable gardens.  

We wish all our retirees all the very best as they move into a new and exciting period in their lives.

School Council Report

At the School Council meeting on Monday 29th November, the following Pupil free days (Curriculum day) were approved. 

Pupil Free Dates in 2024

Monday 29th January – Instructional Model and Spelling (Soundwaves)

Tuesday 30th January – Staff Induction and planning

Friday 26th April - (Curriculum focus TBC)

Friday 15th November – Assessment and Reporting

Typically, staff participate in professional learning on the curriculum day in line with the direction and focus of the school Annual Implementation Plan.

There will also be one Professional Practice Day, this is aimed for the teachers to    focus on the improved delivery of high quality teaching and learning.

To allow for forward planning, please note the school term dates for 2024 are as follows:

Public Holidays 2024

Labour Day Holiday, Monday 11th March

King's Birthday - Monday 10th June

Melbourne Cup Day, Tuesday 5th November 

End of term assembly 

The last day of the 2023 school year will be Wednesday 20th December. We will celebrate another terrific and wonderful year with all students in attendance at a whole school assembly. The assembly will involve announcing our School captains for 2024 and farewelling our current Year 6 students. Assembly will commence at 12:45pm and finish at 1:30pm. 

Christmas Carols 

On Tuesday 5th December we will celebrate a night of students singing and performing ‘Christmas Carols’ on the stage at the basketball court undercover area. We welcome parents, friends and families to bring along chairs, picnic rugs and nibbles. This event will begin at 5pm.

Meet the Teacher

Students will meet their 2024 classroom teacher on Tuesday 12th December from 11:20-1:20pm. Class lists will be ready for distribution on Monday 11th December  at 3:30pm via Compass.

Student Reports

The end of year Student Reports will be available to parents on Friday, 8 December. All reports will be sent electronically, and I encourage parents to take the time to share the report with their child. Sharing the report is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate learning achievements and to build students’ self-esteem and confidence in their academic efforts. 

Bianca Gatherum

Acting Principal