Principal's Report
PREPS SETTLING IN NICELY
We, like other schools, make a concerted effort to support the transition on children from kinder/day care to school. It’s nice to see that work pay off when you have a group of new preps come in feeling comfortable and ready to go. This year has been no exception and our preps at both campuses are doing an awesome job. We’re really proud of our grade 6s, who have undertaken their buddy duties with care and kindness. The attached photos show our new preps at work and play.
BER FLOODING
Many of you will know that we had the misfortune of flooding in the BER building as a result of the storm on January 2. Unfortunately, Simpson St becomes a waterway with intense rain, and much of that water heads north when it hits the Cornish St intersection and then flows into the school yard…. including into the BER building.
All 6 classrooms, along with the large open areas and office spaces were impacted. Luckily Narelle was in town and acted quickly to engage DET contractors. They wasted no time coming in to remove carpet, some skirting and plaster and install dehumidifiers and blowers. New carpet was laid in time for us to get back in and set up for the school year.
Thankfully the building works were completed at no cost to the school. The volume of water also made quite a mess in the school yard, including a build-up of debris in a number of places. A big thankyou to Mark Poole, who came in with some equipment to clean up areas of the yard and move things back into place.
Ballarat City Council have committed to addressing the problem of excess water entering our yard in big rain events and have engaged engineers to plan for improved drainage on the east side of the school.
A big thankyou to Narelle who spent many hours dealing with issues relating to the flood in early January and to our staff who were very patient, while waiting to get in and set up for the start of school.
GRADE 6 LEADERSHIP TEAMS
Our Grade 6 Leadership Teams have become an institution in the school, providing great experience for the kids and making a strong contribution to what our school has to offer. A number of our grade 6 leadership teams have already swung into action. This has included:
- Members of the Photography Team have had a quick lesson and been sent out to record what’s happening in classrooms and the yard. The photos featuring in today’s newsletter were taken by students.
- Two members of the Morning Announcements Team take responsibility for this role each term. Riley and Addison are in charge for term 1 and have embraced the role.
- Our Transition Team have met to understand their role for the year, which includes taking prospective families for a tour. We have our first tours booked in for this week, so they will be put to work very soon. Later in the year they’ll help out with kinder visits and the Pre-Schooler Program
- The Maintenance Team is already hard at it. They have been helping me distribute photocopy paper and pulling apart old chairs for them to be recycled. I clearly have some good workers in this team, so they’ll be a big help across the year.
- This week Mrs Sullivan and Mr Georgiou will have the Sporting House Leaders sorting and re-stocking sports tubs in all classrooms, ensuring all students have access to equipment to play with during recess and lunch breaks.
The remaining teams will fire up in the coming weeks. Badges have arrived and will be presented to the grade 6s at this week’s 5/6 assembly.
MEET AND GREET
Thanks to all those who are already booked in for next week’s Meet and Greet. This event presents a great opportunity to check in with your child’s teacher, chat about how the year has started and make sure the teacher has the information they need to meet the needs of your child. All those who are unable to make the night are invited to contact their child’s teacher to find an alternative time to catch up.
BUNINYONG PLAYGROUP
Many of you would be aware that the Buninyong Playgroup relocated to our site in term 4 of last year. This arrangement worked well and will continue for 2024. The Playgroup will run in the Base 1270 room off the gym on Friday mornings (10am start), starting next week (Feb 16). Attached below is the flyer that provides more information for those that are interested.