Principal's Report
Principal’s Report 26th March
Tomorrow, sees the end of term 1 for our students, whilst our staff will continue through Thursday with professional learning day. We will be working with Berry Street, a well-known and well-credentialed not-for-profit organisation, who will support us in fine-tuning our student well-being processes. We will do this through the Berry Street Education model. The Berry Street Education Model (BSEM) is an educator-designed and evidence-led framework that empowers teachers to create classrooms where every student is ready to learn and able to thrive. Understanding how challenging it can be to balance student needs, Berry Street has designed a holistic approach to education that helps everyone.
The Berry Street Education Model will provide proven strategies that are easy for teachers to implement in the classroom. It empowers and equips educators to help all students succeed. Lyndhurst has always taken the well-being of our students as a major priority, but we know we can always be better. I’m looking forward to the day of connecting and learning with all of our dedicated educators.
Harmony Day
What a wonderful way to finish the term, by celebrating Harmony Day. Harmony Day has always been a terrific event, particularly for Lyndhurst Primary School, as we take the opportunity to celebrate the incredible diversity of this wonderful community. I know the day will be full of color and fun and I’m excited about another great community event. Of course, we always love to share this with our community, so please come along in your traditional attire and help make the day a true celebration of diversity and inclusion.
Announcement
Each of these school events has particular significance for me this year. I recently wrote to the Regional Director of the Department of Education, to inform him that I will be retiring from the Principalship. The coming term, is my last as Principal of Lyndhurst Primary School, so each of these events is a “last time” for me.
This decision hasn’t been easy but, at 66 years of age, I think it’s time for me to ease back from the pressures of being a Principal and to take more time to travel, relax and be a grandad. The staff have known for some time and this week, the members of the School Council were informed. It will be their responsibility to lead the process of selecting Lyndhurst’s new Principal, who will, all being well, take over in term 3. The process will be supported by a local Principal and by a member of the DE Regional leadership team, as well as the teaching staff here at the school.
Whilst I am looking forward to retired life (and possibly lowering my golf handicap) there is a large part of me that is sad about leaving a place that has been a significant part of my life for the past 14 years. The people of Lyndhurst, students, staff and community members have been the focus of my work throughout that time and I’m not sure what to expect as I leave this pressured and busy career for a quieter life. I hope that I can continue to contribute to education in some way in the future.
I’m sure I will have opportunities to speak more about this. I am so very proud of what we have achieved for the children and families of Lyndhurst. I know that whoever comes in my place will inherit a school with a wonderful reputation, a talented and dedicated group of educators, a supportive and inclusive community and superb students.
After over 45 years as an educator and 24 years as a Principal, I plan to take every opportunity to enjoy every minute of my last term as a Principal.
Greg Lacey,
Principal