Primary News

It is the supreme art of parents and teachers to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.

Welcome back to another exciting school year! Even though it seems so long ago I do hope that over the holiday period you managed to have a restful and enjoyable break. 

As we embark on this new academic journey that is 2024, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for your unwavering support in getting your daughters ready for the challenges and adventures that lie ahead.  

Welcome to our new staff members

At the start of the year we welcomed into our Primary team a number of new staff and even though we have only been back a short while already they have made a significant positive impact on our community.  

Prep is led by Ms Lisa Wheeldon along with Miss Alexandria Mulley, who is working as a cadet. In Year 3 we welcome Miss Jasmine Wallace (cadet) who will work closely with Mrs Natalie Hall. We are also blessed to have Miss Frances Seen in Year 4 with Miss Kate Steele is working as a Teacher Assistant across the Primary.  

Our HPE department has also seen some changes  with  Miss Olivia French taking over the reins from Mrs Anne Maree Lane. She is supported by our new Sport and Rec Trainee, Miss Ashley Cruse. 

I am sure you will join me in welcoming our new staff.  

Thank you

Before the official start of the school year, classroom teachers were busily preparing their rooms to make them a stimulating environment to learn. They were writing fabulous and engaging programs and delving deeply into ways to promote wellbeing within their rooms and amongst their cohort.  A huge thank you to all within the Primary team.    

Sourcing Information

Over the past two years I have put a short article in about the importance of knowing where information is coming from and what is essential for you as parents to have access to. It can be overwhelming for all when trying to juggle the enormous amount that may come your way, especially at the start of the school year. 

It is important to recognise that the two main sources of information that parents need to access are The View newsletter (which is published fortnightly on a Thursday) and the College Facebook page. 

Other ways of providing parents with information is through emails which provide information about excursions, upcoming events or changes that are required to be made.  In our Kinder - Year 2 classes we use Seesaw and this is another way that information may be sent to you if it is something that requires immediate attention. A gentle reminder to our Kinder - Year 2 parents to sign up in order to access. If you are unsure what to do, see your daughter’s class teacher. 

As a parent/guardian you can email your daughter’s classroom teacher. However, please be mindful that they will not be able to reply straight away given that they are teaching all day, and often on duty and then attending meetings.  

Finally, our Student Services team are a wealth of information and if they are unsure they are always happy to find out and get back to you if necessary. 

Parent Connections Evening 

Next Tuesday, 20 February, all parents and carers are invited to attend our Parent Connections Evening. This is an opportunity to meet the class teacher as well as other parents or carers within the Primary school. Information about curriculum taught, routines within the class itself and an opportunity to participate in a Q&A are just some elements of the evening and you are strongly encouraged to attend.  

Information has gone out to all parents from ELC to Year 6 with times but it can also be seen below.  Please be mindful that it is on the same night as the Secondary Goal Setting Conferences, so when booking conversations with your daughter’s clan teacher, please try to work around the times you need to be in the Primary.  

School Photos

School and family photos will be taken tomorrow, Friday 16 February.  All students are to wear their formal uniform to school (full sports uniform for ELC, Kinder and Prep students), hair tied back with appropriate ribbons and other hair accessories and adhering to uniform requirements regarding make up and jewellery.

If your daughter has Dance or HPE, she must wear her formal uniform to school and bring her sports uniform and change into it after her photos have been taken.

Primary Swimming Carnival

Information about our Primary Swimming Carnival on Wednesday 21 February has already been sent to parents. House Meetings will be held next week once our Primary House Captains have been elected.   

Please ensure that you have read the documentation and are aware of what is required for that day.  Any concerns or queries please do not hesitate to contact Ms Nikki Stuart. 

Morning and Afternoon Routines

As of next week we will go back to our normal routines for before and after school. 

In the morning students can play outside until the bell is rung just before 8:20am. At that stage all Prep to Year 6 students will go to their designated spots ready for them to be taken to their classrooms. 

In the afternoon if catching buses or being collected, all students will head to the basketball court. Staff, especially in the Early Years, will continue to accompany their students to ensure that they are collected. 

If a student is not collected or you are running late, a staff member will take them to Student Services. 

Sunhats

All students should have their College bucket hat by now.  Last week we had a grace period but from now on if a student does not have a hat they will not be allowed to play out in the sun. All students without hats are directed to sit or play under the awnings to the side of the basketball court. 

Uniform Reminders

• Please ensure all parts of the uniform are clearly named as already we have missing items with no names on them. 
• Students are required to wear to and from school their blazer and school shoes and can then change into the runners once at school. In the event of warm weather, an announcement will be made if students are not to wear their blazers home.
• Gold or silver sleepers or studs or clear diamante or pearl studs are permissible with the College uniform.
• The only other jewellery item permitted to be worn is a watch, not a smart watch.