Principles report 

Principal’s Report

“A child’s world is fresh and new and beautiful, full of wonder and excitement.” — Rachel Carson

It has been wonderful to welcome our students back for Term 3. The children returned so happily and settled quickly into their familiar routines, classrooms and learning programs. There was a real sense of excitement across the school as students reconnected with their friends and staff. The photographs included with this report capture some of the lovely smiles and happy moments from our first days back.

Our new Primary playground

A particularly exciting start to the term has been the opening of our wonderful new Primary playground. The first groups of students to use the playground absolutely loved exploring the new equipment and spaces.

Play is an important part of learning and development. The new playground provides further opportunities for our students to build their confidence, communication, physical skills and independence while enjoying positive interactions with others. It has been a joy to see the children’s excitement, curiosity and enthusiasm, and I know this space will be enjoyed by our students for many years to come.

Welcoming staff to new roles

I would also like to extend a very warm welcome to several staff members who are new to Monash SDS or beginning new roles within our school. Anita joins us as the classroom teacher in Group 11, while Jarrod moves into the classroom teacher role in Group 14. Tyra has joined Group 10 as an Education Support staff member, and Ellmo has joined Group 9. We also welcome Garth as our new Maintenance Officer.

We are delighted to have each of them in these roles and look forward to the knowledge, enthusiasm and care they will bring to our students and school community.

A busy and exciting term ahead

We began the term by celebrating NAIDOC Week, providing students with meaningful opportunities to learn about and recognise the histories, cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. These celebrations form part of our ongoing commitment to respectful, inclusive learning and greater understanding of First Nations cultures. You can read more about our students’ learning and celebrations in a separate article in this newsletter.

There is much more to look forward to throughout Term 3, including Science Week, Book Week and Literacy and Numeracy Week. These events provide engaging and meaningful ways for our students to explore new ideas, participate in shared experiences and celebrate their learning.

We are also preparing for something especially exciting—the launch of our very own Mini Woolies at Monash SDS. This new learning space will provide students with valuable opportunities to practise communication, social interaction, decision-making and everyday life skills within a realistic and supportive environment. We look forward to sharing more about the official launch and the learning opportunities Mini Woolies will bring to our students.

Thank you to our staff for ensuring such a positive and well-organised beginning to the term, and to our families for supporting the children’s return to school. We have a busy and exciting term ahead, and I look forward to sharing the many learning experiences, achievements and celebrations that will take place across our school.

Lindy Abernethy

Principal