WALK, RIDE, SCOOT TO SCHOOL BREAKFAST

On the 15th of this month, we held a special breakfast in support of Walking, Riding or Scooting to school. There was a wonderful buzz with kids lined up to pedal the smoothie bike and literally mix their breakfast smoothie! Thanks to the City of Port Phillip for bringing the bike down and funding the breakfast. We also had some other amazing healthy breakfast options, thanks to Helen Shaw. Helen and Can Osman project managed this event and I want to thank each of them for their passion and enthusiasm. What a lovely (and healthy) way to start the day!

FAREWELL TO NICOLE LE POU

It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to Gus, Nicole and Corey. Nicole was on the interim School Council in 2018 when the school was being built and was instrumental in shaping what we are today. Nicole has been president for 3 of last 4 years and has done an incredible job.

Throughout the last 12 months, I have heard about and witnessed first-hand, Nicole’s commitment and determination in addressing the needs of our school community. Nicole has used her legal prowess and common-sense approach many times and managed to ensure that a boundary fence be installed for the safety of our kids, once the school was built. Nicole leads with integrity, and a calm and supportive approach. Her warmth is palpable.

I am eternally grateful for the support Nicole gave me as a new Principal, making my start here so positive.

On behalf of the South Melbourne Park community, I would like to sincerely thank Nicole for all she has done for our school.

STAFFING UPDATE

We have been very fortunate to recruit some exceptional staff for next year. As always, there will be some movement of current staff (announced in week 10), and we are also growing by two classes. We are very excited to welcome:

Full-time staff: Brooke Loader, Sarah Kilborn, Caroline MacDonald, Eric Loong, Ben Sandison and Liz McIntosh.
Part-time staff: Penny Carr, Shane Clark, Danit Rosengarten and Laoise O’Toole

Samantha Smrekar Thompson has also been appointed as a Leading Teacher. This will significantly strengthen the support we can provide our students in the area of Student Wellbeing and Disability Inclusion.

PLANNING FOR 2024

Our staff have been spending time this term to analyse our data sets, providing essential information for 2024 planning. The School Improvement Team is responsible for monitoring our Annual Implementation Plan and data analysis and is beginning to shape our new plan for next year. Look out for the plan in early Term 1, once approved. In week 10 our teachers will have planning days in preparation for next year. Our new staff have also been invited to the day.

THANK YOU

I want to take the opportunity to say a big thank you to Michael Grech, who has been instrumental in a number of environment and facilities actions over this year. Michael has sourced and installed the screen, sound system and speakers in the Gym, installed speakers in the Performing Arts room and organised our new welcome sign, with Katrina’s support. Michael has project managed a team of dads to relocate the contents of the heritage room which will provide more breakout space for our kids. He has also been reviewing turf options for our new soccer pitch. Michael is a wonderful asset to our community, and I am indebted to him for all he has done for SMPPS this year.

TRANSITION EVENTS UNTIL TERM END

WEEK 9 Orientation #2 for in-coming Preps (Monday, 27th Nov)

WEEK 10 Farewell to some current staff, via the newsletter

Student support groups meetings with families of funded students

Handover of critical student information

WEEK 11 State-wide transition day:

Students meet new teacher and class (Tuesday, 12th Dec)
Parents and carers informed with a letter home
Orientation #3 for in-coming Preps (Tuesday, 12th Dec)
Year sixes visit Secondary Schools

Week 12 1.30 Dismissal, Wednesday, 20th December

Nicole Arnold

Principal

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