Across Oliver's Desk 

Dear Parents,

A big thanks to all the staff, students and parents that made my birthday so special last week. It was definitely more than I expected but I have to say that I have never felt more loved than last Wednesday. A big thanks to the wonderful Flick who I think had a lot to do with it. The children at our school really are special and I’ll never forget some of the beautiful things they said to me. I particularly loved the parents that said they thought I was only fifty. 

STAFFING CHANGES

There are a few changes to what I put in the newsletter a few weeks ago. Felicity Curnow (Assistant Principal) is taking personal leave for the rest of this term. We wish her well while Flick has a well-deserved break.

This of course means that Flick will not be able to replace me when I go away on long service leave. I will be away for three weeks starting Monday 19th May. While I’m away Jess Howe and Rachel Ward will share the Principal role. Rachael Cantwell will be Assistant Principal during those three weeks. 

Ange Burton one of our regular relief teachers (and parent at the school) will be teaching Prep C on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for the three weeks to replace Rachael Cantwell. Tuesday, the class will be taken by Cheree Beet who has been employed to replace Jess Lowe who is going on maternity leave. Cheree will also take 1C on a Thursday.

Mary Menta will be teaching 2B on Thursday and Friday until Jess (White) Banfield comes back from maternity leave. 

I know that I am leaving the school in good hands in terms of leadership with the two Rachael’s, Jess and of course our Business Manager Natalie Potter. They will be able to help you with any questions, queries or issues while I’m away.

HAPPY MATERNITY LEAVE

While I’m away we will be saying goodbye to three of our teachers that will all be going on maternity leave. The growing Woori staff babies just keep multiplying (we may need to open a crèche soon) but we are so happy for Jess Lowe, Kat Clark and Katie Thatcher who are all brilliant teachers, but will now be brilliant mums. As always we look forward to the photos of the new arrivals that I will of course put in the newsletter.

ENROLING FOR PREP 2026

I’m doing lots of tours at the moment, even though the cutoff date for enrolments isn’t until the end of July. We do like our parents to enrol as early as possible. This is solely because we want as much time as possible to determine how many grades in each year level and class sizes. 

Our Prep Information Evening is scheduled for Wednesday 18th June. This night is really for prospective parents or new Prep parents for 2026.

PREP MOTHERS DAY MORNING TEA

We recently ran a Mother’s Day morning tea for our Prep mums. This was the first time we have run the event. There were activities that the children got to do with their mums and they also had a morning tea. 

This event was highly successful, and we plan to run it again next year. A big thanks to the mums that helped organise the morning particularly Alison Francis and the Prep teachers. 

Have a great three weeks without me and this time I’m going to remember to escape to the wonderful world of a book while I’m in Bali. Thanks again for everything you do for our wonderful school, for me in particular, it has been a great couple of weeks at our beautiful school.

See you all soon

Oliver Thockloth

Principal