Principal's Report 

Dear CPS Community,  

We all share responsibility for making our school a positive, respectful and safe environment for our students to learn and thrive. As adults, it’s particularly important that we model positive and appropriate behaviour for our students. I encourage everyone to take a moment to reflect on this and consider ways to model Kindness, Responsibility and Resilience. 

Seeing, hearing and dealing with negativity can be extremely upsetting for both children and adults. It can be useful for us all to periodically reflect on our own practices from time to time.  Please take the time to consider our Statement of Values and School Philosophy which is available on the school’s website. Discrimination, harassment, bullying, violence, threatening or aggressive behaviour are not acceptable at our school.

At Craigieburn Primary School, we follow the Department of Education’s Respectful Behaviours within the School Community Policy, which promotes the importance of respectful and collaborative relationships between parents, carers and school staff in order to build strong, healthy and thriving school communities. When a minority behave inappropriately, this can have a significant impact on health, safety and wellbeing. 

As principal, I want to provide the best possible educational experience for your child. However, I know there may be times when you may have concerns, disagree with a decision or feel that a particular issue should’ve been handled differently. When these times occur, I hope you will work with me and my staff so we can address them together to help rebuild the school community together.

It has come to my attention that inaccurate comments are being shared in the school community, rather than being raised with myself or staff directly. I know how passionately the school community feels about the school, and I’m sure these comments were made with the hope they will help the school, however these behaviours only serve to tarnish the school’s reputation. I’m saddened that our school’s reputation and culture may be undermined by way of inaccurate information, negativity or gossip. Whilst all feedback is important, such an approach is neither respectful, productive or in the interests of our school as a whole.

As Principal, it is my responsibility to address parent feedback, and I assure you all that I am open to receiving constructive criticism and am willing to identify ways to improve. All parents and carers are entitled to raise concerns, but I do expect this to be done in a reasonable and respectful way. 

I am incredibly proud to be principal of Craigieburn Primary School and want to thank those of you that continue to contribute to the positivity of our school. I ask every member of the school community to please join me in moving forward with an emphasis on building a positive and supportive school environment for everyone.

Warm regards,

Bernadette Pizaro