The Year Draws to a Close!

by Helen Freeman

Terrific Kids Awards

On Monday, Anne Wilson from the Kiwanis Club was at our assembly to present the Term 4 Terrific Kids Awards. A huge thank you to Anne for coming and presenting these special awards.

Southeast Asian Mathematical Olympiad 

Recently, Max in Year 5 participated in the Southeast Asian Mathematical Olympiad and was awarded a bronze prize. Congratulations Max on your success.

National/International Solar Challenge

What an invaluable experience the teams had at the National/International Solar Challenge held at the University of New South Wales recently. 

 

Thank you to the parents for taking the students to Sydney to compete. A huge thank you to Mrs Giannone-Perri for all the work she does overseeing the program and to Ian and Steven who come weekly to teach and mentor the students in the skills needed to design and build a boat or a car.

2024 Community Spirit & Leadership Awards

Each year Dr Catrina Garland MP, the Federal Member for Chisolm, holds these awards to recognise the contributions of students in the Chisolm electorate to their school and wider community. Alexander from Year 4 was the well-deserved recipient of this award from Syndal South Primary School. Congratulations, Alexander.

Welcome to our 2025 Foundations

Last week we welcomed our 2025 Foundation families to our Information Night. The families were introduced to the Foundation teachers Ms Antzoulatos and Miss Derrick. The night’s discussion centred on the start to school, covering areas like: starting times, the daily school routine, what needs to be packed into the lunch box and pick up and drop off areas. All students were given an information pack that was delivered in a ‘decorated’ bag. A huge thank you to our talented Year 6 students who during their art lessons had produced these magnificent decorative panels to decorate the bags. 

Year 6 Graduation

Last Thursday evening our Year 6 families and friends celebrated the graduation of our 56 Year 6 students at ‘The Pavilion’ in Box Hill South. It was a fabulous night. 

Congratulations to our Year 6 award winners:

 

Bright Spark Award:  Keilah & Nayanka

Mathematical Excellence:  Daniel & Aashrit

Citizenship Award:  Mya & Hayley

Sports Award:  Oliver & Rebecca

Leadership Award:  Shanaya & Adria

English Excellence:  Selena & Anneliese

All-Rounder Excellence:  Edward & Serena

Norm Gibbs Award:  Scarlett

On behalf of all the SSPS community, I wish all the graduating Year 6 students a wonderful start to their secondary schooling in 2025 and that all their dreams for the future be realised.

 

I would like to acknowledge and thank the Year 6 teachers and the specialist teachers in 2024 for their dedication and commitment to ensuring that Year 6’s final year at SSPS was a memorable one. 

School Captains

Special thanks to Adria and Edward for being such wonderful role models and ambassadors in their role as school captains for SSPS. Adria and Edward supported each other and worked as a great team sharing responsibilities throughout the year. I have seen their confidence, public speaking, and organisational skills grow throughout the year. Thank you and well done!

2025 Student Placement

Tomorrow morning students will be given the opportunity to meet their 2025 class teacher and find out who their classmates will be in 2025. Many hours have been spent on the creation of these classes, considering the needs of students, balancing academic performance and gender. We ask you to support the placements made and speak positively to your child about the year ahead for them.

Final Assembly and Early Dismissal

All students will be dismissed at 1.30pm tomorrow. Due to the ‘Festive Celebration’ being postponed last Friday evening due to the weather, students will be performing their items tomorrow starting at 12 o’clock. After the performances we will be holding a final farewell assembly at 1.00pm. We will be acknowledging students leaving SSPS F-6.  The 2025 School Captains will be announced, and Year 6 graduating students will be singing their graduation song. Parents are most welcome to attend from 12 o’clock or at 1.00 pm for the final assembly.

 

Finally, the end of school is a perfect time to reflect on our achievements throughout the year and to show gratitude for the work and support of the wonderful school community. I would like to thank the school community (staff, students, and parents) for their support throughout the year.  

 

To those families and staff who are leaving our school community, I would like to wish you all the very best for the future and thank you for your amazing contribution over your years at SSPS. I am already aware of the loss you will be to the SSPS community!

 

It is now time for all of us to take a well-earned rest and spend some additional relaxing time with our families and friends and loved ones, we all deserve it. I look forward to contributing and working with all members of the SSPS community in 2025.

 

I sincerely wish everyone a very safe and happy festive season with their families and friends.

 

Helen

Principal