Principal News
End of year School Concert
Our concert was held last Friday evening. This was a fabulous event and we were very appreciative of our families braving the weather and staying until the end of our concert. I was very proud of our students as they sang, danced and played their instruments incredibly well. We have been working on these items for some time and it was a great opportunity to show case our music program.
A huge thankyou to the staff for assisting with practices, sound, costumes and staging. We did very well in spite of the weather which was closing in fast.
Another shout out to Bert Morsman and Kay for providing the sausage sizzle and refreshments. Thank you also to the Bittern Fire Brigade for visiting and bringing Santa along at the end of the evening.
Student Leaders 2025
Last Wednesday, we held the leadership speeches for the 2025 school year, and we were incredibly impressed by how professionally all candidates conducted themselves. Their speeches were thoughtful and inspiring, showcasing their dedication and enthusiasm for leading the school.
Afterwards the Year One to Four students provided positive feedback, with many expressing a strong sense of school pride and admiration for the candidates.
As we look to the future, next year’s leadership structure will be slightly different, aiming to provide our student leaders with more opportunities to lead and grow in their roles. This new approach will help to further develop leadership skills across a range of areas, empowering students to take on more responsibility and contribute to the school community in meaningful ways. The new structure will work perfectly with the School-wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) framework that we will be implementing next year.
Leadership structure for 2025
School Captain
Vice School Captain
4 Leadership positions
The Four Leadership positions will still include house captain roles and responsibilities, however our aim is to provide a wider level of leadership opportunities within our school.
These school captain/vice captain and leadership positions will be announced at our assembly on Friday, 13th December commencing at 2.15pm. We will have a badge presentation early in the new year.
BER electrical capital works project over holidays
During the summer holiday break there will be contractors onsite installing a new electrical system in the BER. This includes installation of new split systems (heating and cooling), replacement of security lighting and a new switchboard. These works will be finished by the time we return to school next year.
School Council
It is that time of the year where we need to farewell 2 school counsellors who will be leaving Bittern PS. We would like to thank Kerry Herten (SC president) and Elise Leerentveld for their significant contribution to our school. We will miss you and your families and wish you all the best for the future. Thank you!
2025 Staffing/Class structures
Farewell Kellie!
We will be farewelling a long term member of our staff at the end of term. Kellie Christie has been successful in gaining a teaching position at another school, commencing Term 1 2025. Kellie has made a significant contribution to our school in her role supporting students and families and we are extremely grateful for the expertise, kindness and energy that she has given over the time she has been at Bittern PS. Kellie will make an incredible educator and we wish her every success in her future endeavours. Thank you Kellie! We will miss you!
Welcome Ms Mac!
We welcome a new staff member to our team. Ms Kathy McLaren will be joining our teaching staff in 2025. Kathy will be teaching a variety of classes during 2025 as she will be covering leave positions and we have some teaching staff taking Long Service Leave in the coming year.
Class structures for 2025.
2025 promises to hold some exciting times. With our capital works project complete, we now have new classrooms and a new Flexible Learning Space (FLS) aka the old library. We have created a senior learning hub and a junior learning hub. Our 4 classes next year will have additional learning spaces including the FLS and the library which is now housed in one of the BER classrooms.
Classroom organisation/staffing
Year Levels and teachers | ||
| Grade | Teacher | Location |
| Prep/one | Mrs Towill | BER |
| Year 2/3 | Mrs Laity | BER |
| Year 4/5 | Ms McLaren (Term 1) Mr Durrington (Term 2,3 & 4) | MOD 5a |
| Year 5/6 | Ms Bacon (Mon, Tues) Mr Espenschied (Wed, Thu, Fri) | MOD 5b
|
| Tutor Learning Leader | Mrs Roberts | BER |
| Principal | Mrs Herbert | |
Specialists areas and teachers | ||
| AUSLAN | Ms Bacon | BER |
| Health/Sport and PE | Mr Espenschied | MP room/school grounds |
| Visual Arts | Mrs Roberts | Art room |
| Music | Mrs Herbert | FLS |
Education Support Staff | |||
| Staff name | Role | Staff name | Role |
| Karyn Dickens | Business Manager | Kay Morsman | Education Support |
| Carrie Hoy | Education Support | Brenda Lanigan | Education Support Gardening/Maintenance |
| Jemima Shipton | Education Support | ||
Wellbeing Team | |
| Georgia Colliver-Piper | School Chaplain/social worker Salvation Army |
| Natalie Everitt | Social Worker Anglicare |
May I take this opportunity to thank our school community for a wonderful year. This year has marked the completion of our Capital works project and we are very excited to transition into our new learning spaces including our engaging garden and play spaces. A huge thank you to the staff, parents and students who have assisted us to move into these spaces in readiness for next year. We have a big year planned for 2025 and after a well deserved Christmas and school holiday break we will be back for an exciting year of adventure and learning.
We welcome our Years 1 - 6 students back on Wednesday 29th January for the commencement of Term 1 2025. Preps commence on Friday 31st January.
Merry Christmas to you all and enjoy some wonderful family time over the January holidays.
regards Sally Herbert