Principals Message

Final Message for 2023

Dear School Community

As this is the final newsletter for 2023, on behalf of the staff of Trafalgar Primary school I wish each student and their families a safe and very merry Christmas, and new year.  

As the year draws to a close I want to celebrate the many achievements of 2023 and thank our teachers and the many volunteers for their contribution to our schools success. Thank you to families for the role you have played in supporting your children’s education. 

Our core responsibility is, always, student learning.  Thank you to the dedicated staff who have supported our students to achieve some remarkable results in literacy and numeracy. This year our staff have been asked to adopt a number of new teaching approaches that have helped propel us to new heights.  Thankyou to our staff for their ongoing commitment to their professional learning and our students. I couldn't be prouder of the strides we've made in fostering a culture of academic excellence.

The sporting arena has been ablaze with excitement, thanks to the expansion of our sports program supported by community partnerships.  I encourage you to revisit the earlier editions of the newsletter which celebrate our numerous sporting champions.

Our performing and visual arts program has continued to flourish.  In the last weeks we have celebrated the creativity and passion exhibited by our students in various artistic endeavours. It was disappointing that our Festival on the Lawn could not run due to weather.  Thanks to Mr Allan and others for their quick work to get these performances to video so they can be shared with families.  

It has been heartening to witness the academic, sporting and artistic talents of our students continue to blossom.

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the School Council, led by the capable Paul Zelenewicz, for their tireless efforts in overseeing and governing our school. Their commitment to our shared vision has been instrumental in the success we've achieved this year.

A warm thank you also extends to all the volunteers who have generously contributed their time and energy throughout the year. Your unwavering support has played a pivotal role in the achievements and positive experiences of our students.

As we approach the holidays, may you find joy in the company of family and friends.  I hope that in the business of the season you find some time to rest and recharge. 

Wishing you all a joyous holiday season and a New Year filled with endless possibilities.

Sincerely,

Cameron Nicholls

PRINCIPAL

Staffing Update

To those dedicated and loyal staff leaving us…again!

We are so lucky and proud to have such an experienced and  dedicated team of staff at Trafalgar Primary School.  At this time we particularly acknowledge those staff that have previously retired, or been on family leave and returned to fill short-term vacancies or serve as Casual Relief Teachers.  Having staff that already know our school and students has been a great benefit.

Thank you and farewell, (again!) Mr Grimshaw- Our school owes a great debt to Neil Grimshaw who, after retiring as a Primary School Principal, returned to the classroom at Trafalgar Primary school to fill a short-term vacancy in 2021!  It has been a pleasure to have Mr Grimshaw as part of the team at Trafalgar Primary School.  We have certainly benefited from his wisdom and experience.   This week Mr Grimshaw reflected that the Grade 2 sleepover would be his 40th Camp!  Thank you, Neil.  We wish you all the best in your retirement.

Thank you and farewell, (again!) Mrs Gleeson-  After previously retiring from Trafalgar Primary School, Mrs Gleeson has continued to serve regularly as a Casual Relief Teacher. It has been a privilege and pleasure to continue to be able to work with Mrs Gleeson.  We understand that Mrs Gleeson has a range of exciting retirement plans ahead and as such does not intend to renew her teaching registration in 2024.  Thank you, and all the best in your retirement.

Thank you, (again!) Mrs Harlow-  Having previously retired from Trafalgar Primary School, Isabel Harlow was willing to fill a short-term vacancy at the beginning of the year.  This vacancy was expected to go for a couple of weeks.  As it turned out, Mrs Harlow has been with us in the Foundation class all year.  Thank you, again Mrs Harlow, for your flexibility and support for our school and its students.  We hope you will be able to continue with us in some capacity in the future. 

Thank you and welcome back, Mrs Gifford- Mrs Gifford has been on family leave and continued to serve as a regular Casual Relief Teacher this year.  We welcome back Mrs Gifford in 2024 as a Year 1/2 classroom teacher.  

Thank you and farewell, Ms White.   Belinda White served at Trafalgar Primary School for a number of years as an Education Support team member.  Ms White was instrumental in the establishment of the Breakfast Club Program and led staff professional development in the Zones of Regulation approach, which provides staff and students with a simple language they can use to describe their feelings.  Ms White has recently undertaken some further training in school finance and administration and has taken a position at Tanjil South Primary School as an education support staff member. 

Thank you and farewell, Mrs. Ferguson Leanne Ferguson served at Trafalgar Primary School for a number of years as an Education Support team member.  Mrs Ferguson spent much of her time supporting students in the junior school. Mrs Ferguson has recently had some experience working in neighbouring schools and has accepted a position as an education support staff member at Yallourn North Primary School.  We wish Leanne all the best for the future.

Thankyou and farewell, Mr Tyers.  It is with mixed emotions that we bid farewell to a cornerstone of our school community. Allan Tyers steps down from the position of Business Manager in 2024 in order to focus on his health and family. 

Allan’s tenure as our Business Manager has been marked by unwavering dedication to students and families, expertise, and a true commitment to our shared vision of excellence.

Through his tireless efforts, he has not only maintained the financial health of our school but also ensured that resources were allocated judiciously to support the diverse needs of our students and staff.

His warm demeanour and approachability have created a supportive atmosphere within our school community. Whether assisting a colleague, or community member addressing a concern, or offering guidance, Allan has been a pillar of strength and wisdom.

Thanks Allan, it has been Fantastic! 

NEW APPOINTMENTS 2024

Congratulations, Mrs Beagley! The Business Manager role will be filled by Mrs Michelle Beagley, who currently serves as the school’s Finance Officer.  Congratulations, Michelle! As Allan steps out of the role we know the impact of his hard work and dedication will continue to resonate, in your good hands.

Welcome, Mrs O’Brien.  We warmly welcome Jane O’Brien to the Trafalgar Primary School Team.  Jane was the successful candidate for the recently advertised administration vacancy which was created as a consequence of the other changes in the school’s administration team.  Jane is a highly experienced finance officer school administrator with significant experience in private industry, the banking sector and schools. Jane comes to Trafalgar Primary School from Nilma Primary School where she was Business Manager.  Jane’s previous school based roles include financial officer roles at St. Paul’s Anglican Grammar School and Warragul Regional College.  We look forward to welcoming Jane in person. 

Welcome Mrs Nash, Sarah Nash has been employed on a casual basis to support implementation of our School Lunch Order program, commencing in 2024. The school lunch order program has been born from a student-led initiative this year. We look forward to sharing more about this exciting program early in 2024.  Sarah is a parent at our school and currently serves as a member of the School Council.

Team Leaders 2024.  In previous editions of the newsletter we introduced our Team Leaders for 2024.  Our school community will have a chance to meet new staff members, Clare Oldham and Kay Baughurst on the Statewide Transition Day. 

Thankyou, Ms Carmody and Mrs Child 

At this time we would like to thank our 2023 Team Leaders, Jan Carmody and Linda Child.  Ms Carmody led the Senior Team this Year and Mrs Child led our Middle School Team.  Together, with other members of the leadership team, these staff implemented significant reform of the way we teach at Trafalgar Primary School.  This has led to significant improvement in our students' results.