Dear Parents,

Acting Principal

I am pleased to let you all know that Cathie Morcom has been announced as the acting principal for Term One 2024, while the substantive principal recruitment process progresses. Cathie has many years’ experiences in teaching and leadership in Victoria. She has a number of years experience as a primary school principal and has a particular strength in supporting student inclusion and wellbeing. I have spoken with Cathie and have scheduled a meeting in early December to complete a thorough handover. When I spoke with Cathie earlier this week, she expressed that she was looking forward to meeting all the students and supporting the school in Term One 2024. I trust that she will get a warm welcome from the community and wish her all the best for term one.

Staffing and Class placements for 2024

We have been busy finalising the class structure and teaching and educational support team for 2024. I would like to welcome two teachers to our team. Welcome Carla Dodd and Samantha Izzo. Carla will be teaching year 1/2 next year and will be a part of the leadership team in Millie Swale’s absence. Carla is currently a well-regarded teacher and leader at Gisborne Primary School and we look forward to her joining the team in 2024.

Samantha Izzo is also starting as a part-time prep teacher to grade share with Melissa Smillie in the prep team. Samantha is currently teaching at Footscray City PS and has moved into the Macedon Ranges. She is a highly experienced teacher who will make a fantastic addition to our 2024 team.

We are also making a change to the specialist team in 2024. Ginny Tulloch is taking on the Indonesian specialist role in 2024 in Deryn Mansell’s absence. We also have also made a change to the STEM specialist program. This STEM program will be changing to a Social and Emotional Learning specialist class in 2024, led by Barry Van Weeghel.

Below is the teaching and staffing plan for 2024. We are currently working hard on developing well balanced classes for 2024 and will make these announcements later in the year. We will be preparing students as well as we can for the new year with transition days and I encourage you to frame the change of class teacher and friendship groups in a positive light with your child. As parents, we play an important supporting and calming role for our children at this busy time of the year. They are always looking to us for cues as to how to handle the stress of uncertainty. The dedicated team here are looking forward to 2024 and working with you children.

Learning Centre	Year Level	Teacher
Class Teachers	5/6	Anthony Bortolot
	5/6	Georgia Pitt
	3/4	Martin Smith
	3/4	Heather Coates
	2/3	Bronwyn McLeod
	1/2	Veronica Wuthrich
	1/2	Tracy Tadd
	1/2	Carla Dodd
	F	Melissa Smillie Mon-Wed Sam Izzo Thurs-Fri
	F	Kirstie Hall
Specialists	Visual Arts Tues - Wed Indonesian Mon and Thurs	Ginny Tulloch
	Forest School Science	Sarah Kline
	Inclusion Leader (0.6) Social and Emotion Learning	Barry Van Weeghel
	PE/MGR	David Oxworth
	Leading Teacher	Karren Baker – Leadership Support
	School Tutor Program Mental Health Support	Sue Erwin Mon-Wed
Integration Aides		TBC
		Melissa McHours
		Anne Eames
Business Manager		Julie Stein-Reeves
Administration		Emma Tuck Mon-Wed
Administration		Salena Chamerski Wed-Fri
OSHC – Coordinator		Vicki Leening

I would like to thank and acknowledge the following staff who are moving on.

Thank you Daniel Garcia. Daniel is moving on from Macedon PS to pursue a toy business he has started. Daniel has been the STEM and digital technology specialist teacher here for the last two years and has brough a dynamic style and amazing learning opportunities to our students. Thanks and good luck Daniel.

I would like to thank Lisa Pickles for her amazing support and work as a class education support person. Lisa has been successfully appointed as a graduate teacher for 2024 and I wish her all the very best in for her career in teaching. Lisa’s inclusive and supportive approach as a minilit teacher and classroom support person will be missed, but I’m sure will stand her in good stead for a successful first year teaching.

I would like to wish Lilly Dean all the best for her first year at university in 2024. Lily is pursuing a career in speech pathology and has been an outstanding support to the students and teachers she has worked with this year. All the best Lily.

Sheryn Zarin’s has also been in the education support team this year and is leaving us to further her own dance teaching business and support her family. Sheryn has had amazing skills in support our students and teachers and her lunch dance club lessons have been a hit. All the best Sheryn.

Billy Carts – 7th December on the Oval

We’re looking forward to the annual Billy Cart race event next week. On Thursday afternoon we will witness the amazing billy cart derby. This year the event will be bigger and better than ever and I encourage you to come along and check it out. It is a fun and exciting event and I encourage you to pop in for a look.

Family Picnic - 7th December

If you can stay on after the Billy Cart races, we are having a family picnic on the oval to say farewell to Mr Forrest. (please see flyer below)

Parent Helper thank you - 8th December

We would like to thank all of our wonderful volunteers who have put time and effort into our school during 2023. Please join us for a cuppa and chat in the JCB on the 8th of December at 2:30pm before assembly.

Kind regards and Sampai jumpa (until next time),

Matt

Forest school