A note from Mr Jackson
Yr 6 Graduation
(Monday 15 December)
Thanks to everyone who joined us at the Year Six Graduation ceremony held at Viewbank Secondary College on Monday night. It was a joyful and moving evening where the graduating students sang, danced and shared memories from their primary years, a wonderful celebration of this milestone. For some, the highlights were the collection of memory books and for others the student speeches. For all it proved to be an appropriate farewell to primary school.
I extend heartfelt thanks to our dedicated staff whose preparation and support have made the students’ primary experience so positive and affirming over their seven years.
KABOOM Fill the Final Week with Energy (Wednesday 17 December)
Earlier this week our Kaboom Sports Day brought the whole school together in a colourful, energetic celebration of the conclusion of the school year. Students laughed, ran, jumped and supported one another across the activities. Many noted the actions of the senior student leaders, doing a fantastic job leading multi-age groups over the morning session. It was a positive way to finish the year and recognise our students’ teamwork and school spirit.
Final Assembly and End of Term
(Friday 19 December)
Please note the arrangements for our final assembly. We will meet in the hall just after 12:30pm to say our farewells. Families who wish to attend are welcome, and parents are asked to ensure their child is collected no later than 1:45pm as schoolyard supervision will cease after that time. The final dismissal occurs at 1:30pm.
Further Works Over Christmas
As we approach the end of the year, I want to share a brief update on the improvement works and key activities planned over the holiday break.
Contractors will continue installing ramps at both the main entry and the Davies Street side of the school, with railings being finalized to improve accessibility and safety. Additional ramps will continue to be constructed from the basketball court down to the zebra crossing and onward to the oval enabling an accessible crossing of Bellevue Avenue. These works are scheduled for completion prior to the start of 2026.
We have also scheduled a number of maintenance and deep‑cleaning activities to ensure our learning spaces are fresh and ready for the new year. All carpets will be steam‑cleaned, external windows will be washed, and hard surfaces will receive extra care.
The Music Room and Chandler Hall will receive carpet upgrades and a general refresh to enhance these important spaces, shared areas by students and staff.
Over the break workers will improve the ventilation in the subfloor spaces on the northern end of the administration building. This will include the levelling of that end of the building. This project has taken some time, and we look forward to further refreshment of these spaces once these structural issues have been resolved. A ‘temporary storage’ shipping containing has been located on the oval. This will hold unused furniture that is currently being stored underneath the art room. Movement of this furniture will take place at 2:00pm on Friday.
Last week we received news that we have received $260,000 from the VSBA to support refurbishment works of the toilets appending the Chandler Hall. We hope that these works will be scheduled to start towards the second half of the year.
A grant of $70,000 from the North East Link Community Fund will see the embankment on the oval transformed into an explorer’s paradise. It will include digging pits, space for construction and quieter gathering spaces.
2026 Significant Dates
A number of sporting events have been added to our Significant Dates and are available in the attached document.
Farewell Ms Whitechurch
Last week we farewelled a number of teaching and education support staff. They will all be missed as they continue their educational journey in different spaces.
I also wanted to particularly acknowledge the farewell of Lynda Whitechurch as she steps into retirement after close to fifty years of service to education in Victoria. Lynda is a gentle, genuine and passionate teacher who has significantly impacted the lives and learning of so many at Rosanna Primary School. At Rosanna Primary she has sat side by side with students, curled around books, supporting emerging readers. She has wrangled timetables, defined school direction and lead with integrity and wisdom as Assistant Principal. She has spent immeasurable hours with parents and students defining goals, making applications for support and ensuring students’ needs were met throughout the school. She has dived deeply into the Disability Inclusion and forged new learning and understandings for us all.
Much more than what she has done, is who she has been for us all. Lynda has been a sounding board for new ideas, a voice in meetings for students with identified needs and a person who has challenged us all to continually improve. We are ever so grateful for her presence with us that has made us better people.
We are sure that it will not be easy for her to step towards retirement, but we hope that the years ahead will be as rich as her contribution to our school and the entire public education system.
Thanks to All
Finally, I want to express my sincere gratitude to our entire community, students, staff, parents and carers, for your respectful, inclusive, and kind contributions throughout the year. We have much to celebrate in our academic achievements and in the everyday ways our community supports one another. I hope the holidays provide time to rest and reset, connect with those closest to you, and reflect on the relationships we value. We look forward to regathering in late January for another wonderful year of learning.