Principal's Report

The end of the year is nearly here. This will be our second last edition of the newsletter. We will publish our last edition to families on Thursday 19th December.

Congratulations

I have some exciting news to share, late yesterday I received the fabulous news from Carina Garland’s Office that Caitlin from Year 2 has been awarded a runner up award for her entry in the 2024 Christmas Art Competition. Carina commented ‘that she had received hundreds of wonderful entries from many schools in the Chisholm electorate. It was very hard to select a winner and runners-up, as so many drawings truly captured the magic of Christmas.’ Congratulations to Caitlin for her success and congratulations to all the students who entered the competition. 

School Disco

Last Friday ‘disco fever’ returned to Syndal South. It was an amazing success with the students (and staff) having a fabulous time!  There was lots of dancing and very loud singing, the atmosphere was electric. The consensus from the students was that the disco was AWESOME!

Japanese Day

On Monday the whole school enjoyed Japanese Day. The students had so much fun immersing themselves in the beauty of Japanese culture. The Foundation students all enjoyed making a Den-den daiko (Japanese drum). The Year 1 and 2 students made sumo magnets and practised their chop stick skills. The Year 3 and 4 students held an origami sumo wrestling competition and the year 5 and 6 students made Children’s Day origami carp and Scavenger Hunt. Year 6 students also made onigiri (rice balls).

All the students enjoyed the incursion from Wasabi Kids! Japanese Experience. A big thank you to Sensei for all her organisation of this wonderful day.

Working Bee

We had a great working bee on Sunday. The main activity completed was the transporting and spreading of mulch. Jeff does a great job utilising his professional equipment to make all the jobs easier. Michelle had compiled a list of jobs that families could do, which works so well.

Gordon (Katherine’s Dad in Year 5) has volunteered to sand and stain our bench seats; he started this job on Sunday and will continue in his own time. This will make a big difference to the aesthetics of the playground. Thank you to all our ‘working bees’!

Parent’s Association

Last week I attended the PA’s Annual General Meeting. It was an opportunity to look back over the year and celebrate all the accomplishments of this determined group of wonderful parents. The staff and students are extremely grateful for the support we have had over the year from the PA for a variety of activities. The night was also a night to say a huge thank you to Julie who has worked tirelessly as President. Julie’s passion for all the students at Syndal South, has inspired others. As Will is graduating this year Julie will be leaving us at the end of the year. Julie has been an amazing support to the school in so many ways, since Mia enrolled in 2016. She has always been available to assist in any way possible: cake stalls serving and baking, fruit distribution, icy pole distribution, Easter raffle wrapping, Mother’s and Father’s Day coordination and sales, coordinating and working at ‘Spoil the Staff Day’ just to mention a few. Last year Julie organised the PaperBird fundraiser which has seen more than one hundred books purchased for the new Library, just a fantastic effort. Thank you, Julie, from all the SSPS community.

Graduation 

Next Thursday evening our Year 6 families and friends will celebrate the graduation of our fifty-nine students at ‘The Pavilion’ in Box Hill South. The format of the evening will include the students enjoying a meal together followed by the formal graduation ceremony and the presentation of awards, to mark the end of their 7 years of primary schooling.  I wish them all the best on this memorable occasion.

National/International Solar Challenge

This weekend we have two teams heading the Sydney to compete in the National/International Solar Challenge. Nayanka and Annelise will be representing the solar car team and Kiaan, Evan, Dan, Mathew and Chinmai will be racing the solar boat. We wish them all the very best for the Challenge. Go Syndal!!

Reports

Teachers have now completed reports and they are currently being finalised. Families will receive student reports on Monday 16th December via Compass. If your child is leaving SSPS at the end of the year (including all Year 6 students) please ensure you download your child’s report before Compass access ceases (on 31st December). 

2025 Staffing

Principal:  Helen Freeman

Leading Teacher: Rebecca Stonehouse-Melke

Learning Specialist: Clare Searle

FA – Irene Antzoulatos

FD – Ellie Derrick

1G – Elizabeth Germanos

1S – Clare Searle

2F – Tori Ferres

2J – Jess Jason

3T – Caroline Tait

3F – Jo Fisher

3W – James Wang

4P – Flavia Petrucci

4S – Rebecca Stonehouse-Melke

5H – Kate Holly

5GP – Maria Giannone-Perri

6D – Michelle Dodson

6P – Amber Panagopoulos/Jarrod Riley

Specialist Team

Physical Education: Jarrod Riley

Music: Leo Kahans

Japanese: To be confirmed

Art: Skye Threadgold

Teaching Learning Support: Tahni Ross, Lexi Boomsma, Jan Oliver

Office Team: Katie Forbes, Julie Pfitzner, Michelle Huppe

Education Support Staff: Inger Robinson, Sally Blaber, Alec Blaber, Samantha Pergadis, Will Robinson, Sachintha Abeysinghe Mudiyanselage, Siobhan Selvarajoo, Wen Gao.

As always at the end of a school year, we have an opportunity to welcome new members to our team and say farewell to some of our current staff.

In 2025 we welcome the following teaching staff: Elizabeth Germanos. In addition to the teaching staff, we welcome Will Robinson and Sachintha Abeysinghe Mudiyanselage who will join our integration aide team. We look forward to welcoming these people to our SSPS team and working with them in 2025.

Jessie Evans will be taking leave for 2025 to spend time with her family. We will be saying farewell to Kate Glew who will be moving to Brighton Primary School. We thank Kate for her contribution to SSPS and wish her all the very best.

Festive Celebration

Finally, a reminder about our ‘Festive Celebration’ tomorrow evening. All the students have been rehearsing their special musical item to share with you. So, come along bring your dinner or purchase a sausage, and enjoy a night of entertainment to celebrate a wonderful 2024 school year.  If you are able to help on the bbq please register here - https://volunteersignup.org/TA8PW.

Have a great fortnight.

Helen