Principal's Report
As the end of another school year nears, it’s time to thank our whole school community.
As I reflect on this year I am overwhelmed with pride. This is a school like no other, with a culture that truly upholds our HERRRBy values.
Firstly, I thank our staff for their dedication to provide a full, stimulating, and challenging educational experience for our students. At Gardenvale we are so fortunate to have the most incredibly talented and hardworking staff!
Thank you to all members of our School Council and Parents Association. Our School Council and PFA are also a dedicated group of people who give so much of their time and expertise to make Gardenvale a better place for our students to learn and our staff to work.
We have been so fortunate to have Nicky Martin, as our School President. Nicky has been unwavering in her support, encouragement and guidance. Her calm and steadfast support has been truly appreciated.
Our PFA, once again has been led so passionately by Robyn Krawitz. Robyn is truly one in a million and she constantly amazes me with her enthusiasm, compassion and work ethic! Thank you so much Nicky and Robyn for all that you do for our school!
The parent support at Gardenvale is truly incredible whether it be through School Council, PFA, Working Bees, Fundraising Activities, classroom help and social functions. We are so grateful for the support we receive from our school community!
Class Expos
Thank you to all the parents that have been able to visit the ‘Expos’ that have taken place in many of our classrooms over the past few weeks. The children love being able to share the special projects they have been working on as part of their Inquiry Units.
School Concert
A massive thank you to all staff members who ensured students were well prepared for their performances and to the parents for also organising the costumes, that made the performances look that little more spectacular. We are so grateful to Tom Pitts, Ilsa Cook and Casey Galinsky for their work in preparing the students for the concert. We also thank one of our special singing group, the JETS, and our dance troop, Rhythm Nation, for their superb performances! Such an event also provides another opportunity for student leadership and, in their hosting of the event, Ella, Frankie, Maddie, our Music Captains, did us proud! We thank the incredibly talented Mr Pitts for coordinating the whole concert!! It was a wonderful night!!
Staffing News
We say thank you and farewell to Michelle Robbins. Michelle has been a hardworking classroom teacher at Gardenvale PS this year and we wish her all the very best as she returns to Camberwell South PS in 2025.
We say a sad farewell to Lea Hooper, one of our Integration Aides, as she and her family leave Melbourne to return to their home state of Queensland.
In 2025 we will welcome two new classroom teachers to Gardenvale PS – Eliza Ballas and Noa Opat. Eliza has worked with us for several years as an integration aide and we are thrilled that she has now completed her teaching degree and can join us as a classroom teacher. I am sure Noa will be valuable addition to our school! We are also pleased to have Penny Osborne and Athan Vlahogiannis join our Integration Aide Team.
2025 Classroom Teachers
Our Classroom Teaching Teams for 2025 are as follows: -
| Prep | PA – Jazmin Valentine | PB – Christine Gesuato | PC – Marnie Houghton | PD – Chris Yianni |
| Year 1 | 1A – Judi Grossbard | 1B – Katie Ferguson | 1C – Peter Monotti | 1D – Noa Opat |
| Year 2 | 2A – Nathan Grant | 2B – Richelle Beitz | 2C – Chloe Ashlakoff | 2D – Caron Rosenthal & Tania Speigel |
| Year 3 | 3A – Cara Willis
| 3B – Clem Gunstone & Tanya Kentera | 3C – Eliza Ballas | 3D – Bridget Cooper |
| Year 4 | 4A – Casey Galinsky | 4B – Debbie Powell | 4C – Kim Webster Tim McRae will teach 4C on Thursdays | |
| Year 5 | 5A – Nancy Merrick | 5B – Aviva Cohen | 5C – Josh Hewett | |
| Year 6 | 6A – Holly Ife | 6B –Tyler Trevaskis | 6C – Amy Wilson |
Final Whole School Assembly
Our final Whole School Assembly will be held at the Senior Campus at 9.30am on Friday 20th December. At this assembly we will have the opportunity to farewell all students leaving Gardenvale this year and announce the student leadership positions for 2025.
Are you able to help us out?
On 25th January 2025, the Saturday prior to school commencing for 2025, we will be holding a Working Bee on each campus to do some general gardening and tidying. We would greatly appreciate the support of anyone who is able to spare an hour or two to help prepare the grounds for the commencement of the new school year. Jobs will include; raking, sweeping, mowing, and weeding. We would love to have our school sparkling for the beginning of the 2025 school year. Hope to see you there!
Parent Information Nights
Below are the dates for our Parent Information Nights in February 2025. Please note the relevant date/s in your diary:
- Prep - Thursday 6th February - 6.00pm
- Year 1- Monday 3rd February - 6.30pm
- Year 2 - Tuesday 4th February - 7.00pm
- Year 3 - Wednesday 12th February - 6.00pm
- Year 4 - Wednesday 12th February - 6.45pm
- Year 5 - Wednesday 5th February - 7.00pm
- Year 6 - Tuesday 4th February - 6.00pm
Friday 20th December – Dismissal Arrangements
As you know Friday is the last day of school for the year and the students will all be dismissed at 1.30pm.
The 2025 School Year commences for Year 1 – 6 students on Thursday 30th January. The first day of school for our 2025 Prep students will be Friday 31st January.
As we close the chapter on 2025, I want to thank every member of our community—students, staff, and families. Your dedication, passion, and support make Gardenvale the extraordinary place it is.
I thank you all for your support and help over the year and wish everyone all the very best for the festive season and a safe and enjoyable holiday.
Looking forward to a truly wonderful 2025!
Janine Hall