As we approach the conclusion of another rewarding school year, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to our wonderful school community.

Looking back on the year that has been, I feel an immense sense of pride in all that we have achieved together. Gardenvale continues to be a very special place — a school where our HERRRby values are not just words but are evident in everyday actions and relationships.

I extend my heartfelt thanks to our staff for their ongoing commitment to delivering engaging, enriching, and challenging learning experiences for our students. We are incredibly fortunate to have such a skilled, passionate, and dedicated team who consistently go above and beyond for the children in their care.

I would also like to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of our School Council and Parents and Friends Association. These groups selflessly offer their time, knowledge, and energy to support our school and enhance opportunities for both students and staff. We have been extremely fortunate to benefit from the leadership of our School Council President, Nicky Martin. Her steady guidance, thoughtful advice, and unwavering support have been deeply appreciated throughout the year.

Our Parents and Friends Association has once again thrived under the energetic leadership of Robyn Krawitz. Robyn’s passion, generosity, and tireless dedication continue to inspire us all. Thank you to both Nicky and Robyn for the outstanding contributions you make to our school community.

Throughout the year, Jen Robinson (Henry and Otto’s mum) and Leanne Pollock (grandmother of Lucinda) have worked tirelessly in the gardens at our Junior Campus. Jen and her team, along with Tim McRae, are now working hard to create a haven for our newest additions to the school — the quail! Leanne beautifully maintains the gardens at the front of the Junior Campus. Jen and Leanne, we are so grateful for all that you do for our school.

As many of you know, we have been very busy at the Senior Campus, vacating almost all the main building in preparation for the ‘big build’ at the beginning of next year. Five classes and most offices have now moved into their new spaces. I am incredibly appreciative of the outstanding work completed last week by Michael Leigh (father of Jude and Reuben) and Basil Krawitz (grandfather of Lexi), who helped move, assemble, and stack countless pieces of furniture and rubbish.

The parent support at Gardenvale is truly incredible — whether through School Council, PFA, working bees, fundraising activities, classroom support, or social functions. We are deeply grateful for the ongoing support we receive from our wonderful school community.

Class Expos

Thank you to all the parents that have been able to visit the Expos, Class Parliament and the Billy Cart Grand Prix that have taken place in many of our classrooms and in the school grounds over the past few weeks. The children love being able to share the special projects they have been working on as part of their Inquiry Units.

Prep Excursions

Our youngest students had a wonderful time on their recent excursions to the Zoo and the Aquarium, where they enjoyed hands-on learning experiences and exciting encounters with a variety of animals and marine life. These outings provided valuable opportunities to explore the natural world beyond the classroom while fostering curiosity, engagement, and a love of learning.

School Concert

A massive thank you to all staff members who ensured students were well prepared for their performances and to the parents for also organising the costumes, that made the performances look that little more spectacular. We are so grateful to Tom Pitts, Ilsa Cook and Casey Galinsky for their work in preparing the students for the concert. We also thank one of our special singing groups, the JETS, and our dance troop, Rhythm Nation, for their superb performances! Such an event also provides another opportunity for student leadership and, in their hosting of the event, Aggie, Ava and Tom our Music Captains, did us proud! We thank the incredibly talented Mr Pitts for coordinating the whole concert!! It was a GOLDEN night!!

Staffing News

We say a big thank you to Lisa Sturgess from our Learning Intervention team who is leaving us and wish her all the very best in her next professional endeavour. We also say thank you and farewell to Ashleigh Smart. Ashleigh has been a hardworking classroom teacher at Gardenvale PS since June in 2B and we wish her all the very best as she returns to Glenhuntly PS in 2026. We wish Katie Ferguson all the very best for the impending birth of her baby early in 2026. Katie will be on Maternity Leave for 2026. We thank and wish Penny Osborne, and her family, all the very best for their move to Adelaide. We also thank Maisie McIntosh for her work in our Integration Aide Team and wish her all the very best for her move to Canberra for her new job working for the Federal Government.

In 2026 we will welcome four new classroom teachers to Gardenvale PS – Christine Brodie, Emily Deague-Hall, Maddy Long and Caroline Hodge. I am sure Christine, Emily, Maddy and Caroline will be valuable additions to our school! We are also pleased to have Ailish Worton and Khushboo Chaudhry join our Integration Aide Team.

2026 Classroom Teachers

Our Classroom Teaching Teams for 2026 are as follows: -

Prep

PA

Jazmin Valentine

PB

Maddy Long

PC

Marnie Houghton

PD

Emily

Deague-Hall

Year 1

1A

Judi Grossbard

1B

Noa Opat

1C

Caron Rosenthal

Tania Spiegel

1D

Christine Gesuato

Year 2

2A

Cara Willis

2B

Christine Brodie

2C

Chloe Ashlakoff

2D

Lyn Smith

Chris Yianni

Year 3

3A

Peter Monotti

3B

Clem Gunstone

Tanya Kentera

3C

Eliza Ballas

3D

Bridget Cooper

Year 4

4A

Casey Galinsky

4B

Nathan Grant

4C

Kim Webster

4D

Debbie Powell

Year 5

5A

Nancy Merrick

5B

Aviva Cohen

5C

Josh Hewett

Year 6

6A

Holly Ife

6B

Tyler Trevaskis

Caroline Hodge

6C

Amy Wilson

Final Whole Assembly

Our final Whole School Assembly will be held at the Senior Campus at 9.30am on Friday December 19th. At this assembly we will have the opportunity to farewell all students leaving Gardenvale this year and announce the student leadership positions for 2026.

Are you able to help us out?

On 25th January the Sunday to school commencing for 2026, we will be holding a Working Bee from 9.00am on each campus to do some general gardening and tidying. We would greatly appreciate the support of anyone who is able to spare an hour or two to help prepare the grounds for the commencement of the new school year. Jobs will include; raking, sweeping, mowing, and weeding. We would love to have our school sparkling for the beginning of the 2026 school year. Hope to see you there!

Parent Information Nights

Below are the dates for our Parent Information Nights in February 2026. Please note the relevant date/s in your diary:-

Prep – 6.00pm – Thursday 5th February
Year 1 – 6.30pm – Wednesday 4th February
Year 2 – 5.45pm – Wednesday 11th February
Year 3 - 6.00pm – Tuesday 10th February
Year 4 - 6.30pm – Wednesday 11th February
Year 5 – 6.00pm – Thursday 5th February
Year 6 – 6.00pm – Tuesday 3rd February

Friday 19th December – Dismissal Arrangements

As you know this Friday is the last day of school for the year and the students will all be dismissed at 1.30pm.

The 2026 School Year commences for Year 1 – 6 students on Wednesday 28th January. The first day of school for our 2026 Prep students will be Thursday 29th January.

As we close the chapter on 2025, I want to thank every member of our community—students, staff, and families. Your dedication, passion, and support make Gardenvale the extraordinary place it is.

I wish everyone all the very best for the festive season and a safe and enjoyable holiday.

Looking forward to a truly wonderful 2026!

Janine Hall

PFA News