Principal

Remembrance Day

As Remembrance Day fell on Saturday, we held a ceremony on Friday, with the students meeting under our new shade sails for our ceremony. The School Captains and Vice Captains took the students through the significance of Remembrance Day and we listened to the Last Post. Thank you to Kate Nancarrow and the School Captains for running this very important event.  

Prep Transition – Session 2 this week

Our first transition session for the 2023 prep students was a great success! We are looking forward to seeing the parents and students again tomorrow. Parents are encouraged to bring their children into the classrooms at 9:15am, sign them in and depart promptly to the Library, where there will be tea and coffee, a chance to mingle with other parents, and listen to information which may be of use regarding your child’s start to school. 

Solway Orientation Day’s

In week 9, our prep-year 5 students will commence their ‘Next Steps’ program, designed to take the mystery out of the transition from the current year of learning to the next. Students will be mixed across a number of groupings for the first session, and participate in carefully designed sessions; these are NOT an indicator of the 2024 classes, and should not be interpreted as such. 

On Tuesday 12 December, students will meet their 2024 classes with their expected teacher, on the Solway Orientation Day. It will be excellent if all students in years Prep-5 are at school for these sessions. 

This can be an anxious time for the students who do not manage change with confidence, and an exciting time for others. Parents can support their children by maintaining a positive approach to the changes, and encouraging a growth mindset…… “you may not know this teacher well yet….. but you will soon, and it will be ok” or “ you will have the opportunity to make many more friends in this new class…..”.  The transition exercise will be repeated for our third and final session on Tuesday 12 December for current Prep-year 5 students, in line with the Department of Education State-wide transition day for year 6 students going to year 7, giving students another opportunity to get to know their new classmates. Parents are advised that requests for changes to classes at this time cannot be accommodated.

Students who will not be at Solway in 2024 will take part in the first and second session as this is general to moving to the next year level. When students meet their classes and teacher the students leaving Solway in 2024 will be supervised by the specialist teachers.  

Parent Payments 2024

At Solway, we endeavour to provide our students with the highest quality learning programs, equipment and resources that ensure our students are equipped to be productive, creative, global citizens. We are proud of the learning opportunities that our students enjoy. We would like to thank all of those families who have made a voluntary contribution to our school, which, alongside families volunteering their time has been a critical factor in our success. These contributions have allowed us to provide a high-quality education program, new playground, painting and upkeep, etc. 

We again seek families’ support concerning Voluntary Contributions in 2024, so that we can continue to deliver the outstanding education of which we are so proud. Government funding does not cover all the aspects of your child’s education that we provide at Solway. Without your financial support, the school would not be able to continue to offer the high standard and diverse range of programs and activities that are currently available. 

The School Council met to review and discuss the school voluntary fees/contribution payments for the 2024 school year. In 2024, we will once again not be charging an excursion levy. Instead, families will be notified at the time of each excursion/incursion, and payment will be required before the event on a pay-as-you-go basis. 

Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality Policy 

As we prepare for the end of year festivities, it is important for parents to remember we must follow the Department of Education Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality Policy. Cash vouchers that can be ‘universally’ used in the same way as cash such as a financial institution-issued debit card remain prohibited under the policy. A copy of the Department of Education’s Gifts, Benefits and Hospital Policy can be found here. If you are unsure and would like any clarification, please ask.

Kris Kringle at Solway

Following the success of the last few years, students will not hold a KK where they buy each other gifts in their classrooms, but may instead be offered the option to participate in a class KK by donating to a worthy cause. Classes may decide to put a gold coin towards a gift under a ‘Wishing Tree’ (typically at Kmart or the like) or make a donation towards a charity that supports families at Christmas, e.g. World Vision. There are many possible choices. The point is that students are asked not to bring gifts to school for each other, but to consider giving to someone in need. Three of our Year 6 students have written a piece about Koala Kids charity that families may wish to take part in. (See the charity collection section of the newsletter)

Gift giving at school can be tricky to manage, as some can feel excluded or left out. So we are asking students not to bring gifts for their buddies – a thoughtful card with perhaps a Christmas chocolate is sufficient. We also ask that our older students who may wish to give each other gifts as friends, do so outside school. 

2024 Dates

At the last School Council Meeting, our 2024 Curriculum days were approved. Please find the updated calendar in the diary dates for 2024. 

Curriculum Day: Monday 29 January - Staff Professional Learning 

Labour Day Public Holiday: Monday 11 March 

Good Friday Public Holiday: Friday 29 March 

ANZAC Day: Thursday 25 April

Curriculum Day: Friday 26 April - Staff Professional Learning 

Curriculum Day: Friday 7 June - Staff Professional Learning 

Monarch’s Birthday Public Holiday: Monday 10 June

Curriculum Day: Monday 15 July - Professional Practice Day (TBC)

Curriculum Day: Monday 4 November - Staff Professional Learning 

Melbourne Cup Day Public Holiday: Tuesday 5 November

Term Dates for 2024:

Term 1            Tuesday 30 January until Thursday 28 March 

Term 2            Monday 15 April until Friday 28 June

Term 3            Monday 15 July until Friday 20 September

Term 4            Monday 7 October until Friday 20 December 

Solway Carols Evening

As mentioned last newsletter, all classes have commenced their preparation for the Carols Christmas Evening to be held on Thursday 7 December commencing at 6:00pm. Students are encouraged to come along in their Christmas attire, ready to perform with their classes on this very special night on the School Calendar. Students will sit together with their classes during the evening. 

Parents are encouraged to bring along a picnic dinner, rug or chairs, and to gather in front of the Performing Arts Stage anytime from 4:30pm, behind the students. We do ask that pre-schoolers remain with their parents throughout the night. Please note this is not compulsory, but rather a fun evening to get together and watch the students have fun!      

Community Appreciation Afternoon Tea

Parents are invited to attend our Community Appreciation Afternoon Tea on Monday 11 December between 2:30-3:30pm. This is an important occasion for the Solway staff to acknowledge the fantastic support received from families and the broader community throughout the year.  No matter how small you may feel your contribution may have been, we cannot continue to operate the activities and programs at Solway without your support and so please come along. Teachers go to considerable trouble to provide the catering for this event, in recognition of our appreciation of this parental and community support, so it would be lovely to get a strong turnout. We look forward to seeing you there.

Lyn Rodda

Principal