Principal's Report

Thank you to students, staff and families for the compassion, care and support you have shown each other across this week, following the appalling events at Bondi Beach on Sunday evening. We hope that a regular week of school has brought routine during an unsettling time and the company of friends has provided comfort. 

We reiterate to our Jewish families and our whole school community that what has occurred only strengthens our resolve to do all we can to address and eliminate any and all forms of anti-Semitism.

No matter the celebrations you acknowledge in the company of family and friends at this time of the year, please stay safe, stay connected and know that you always have the support of our school. 

As the 2025 academic year ends, I wanted to take the opportunity to thank our students, staff, families and the broader community for a wonderful year of learning at our school. There have been an abundance of highlights and many people to thank for their contributions. There is also much excitement ahead, with plans for the 2026 school year well underway.

I would like to first formally thank some of our key parent stakeholders for their support this year. A huge thank you to our School Council President, Jackie Dzienciol, Vice-President Louise Kuramoto and Treasurer Scott Vincent, alongside all our school councillors, for their support this year. I would also like to thank the President of our Parents’ Association, Melinda Reid, for her dedication to the role and to our school, alongside all our volunteers who have supported school events across this year.

Planning for the 2026 school year is well underway. On our most recent student-free day, our 2026 teaching teams worked to collaboratively plan an overview of learning for the year, as well as a detailed ‘start-up’ program for the initial returning weeks to school. The focus in this time will be on building a positive classroom culture and high expectations for learning, wellbeing and behaviour. 

On the day following this, students met their 2026 teachers and classmates. This was a highly successful day, filled with excitement and optimism. Supported by the earlier release of the grade structures and staff placement, our students, staff and families were well informed of all operational decisions for the coming year. I thank everyone for the high level of respect they had for the student placement process.

We have finalised our staffing for 2026, with the following appointments made recently:

• Annie Burns, Classroom Teacher (0.4) for 2A (on a Tuesday and Wednesday). 
• Kaela Grummisch, continuing as our Social Worker. 
• Isabelle Turner, Occupational Therapist, (with thanks to Abigail Simcoe, who is exiting this position to take a full-time role in a Secondary College). 
• Jasmine Parry, Prep Assistant. 
• Annabel Lambert, Integration Aide. 

These appointments complete our staffing this year. Alongside Abigail’s exit, we also farewell Shakaya Thomas and Caitlin Cameron, who conclude their time as integration aides at our school and begin their first full-time classroom teaching roles, following their graduation from university. I would also like to sincerely thank Roslyn Keilly, who worked alongside Bronwyn Fensham in Year 2 this year, and concludes her time with us now. 

Student reports were released last week, with thanks to staff for the dedication they showed in preparing these in such a professional manner. Our families are fully informed of the progress of their child/ren across this semester and will be ready to launch into 2026 with a new set of learning and wellbeing goals. 

Our students in Year 5 had the opportunity to apply for school captain and house captain positions recently, with the outcomes announced to students last week. Congratulations Charlie Surkis and Eadie McCracken for their selection as 2026 School Captains, alongside Jacob Galushkin-Ossip and Sascha Levin as our School Vice-Captains.

A full list of all elected student leaders has been provided on the following page, with the 2026 Student Leadership Assembly to be held on Wednesday 4th February at 2:40pm. 

Our Year 6 students have had a busy few weeks, with Secondary School transition days, school camp, their ‘My Life’ projects, graduation and ‘movie day’ all occurring over the past few weeks. The students presented magnificently at their graduation, representing themselves, their family and their school with great pride. Congratulations to the award winners on the night and all our very best to every one of the graduates as they begin their Secondary School journey in 2026. 

Our youngest students in Prep also had their ‘graduation’ on Thursday morning, an event that the school traditionally holds to celebrate the achievement of completing the first year of school. Each student was escorted to the stage by their Year 5 buddy and presented with a certificate of congratulations. 

Thank you for attending our final farewell to our graduating class at assembly today. It was great to see so many of you in attendance, particularly to commemorate our graduating class, and to complete another great year of ‘achieving together’ at Caulfield South Primary School.

With best wishes for the holiday season, thank you for your ongoing support and keep doing your best.

Rohan Cooper

Principal