Principal's Report

Welcome to our final newsletter for Term 3. It has been a term full of highlights, with our school concert at the forefront alongside both the fun and importance of book week, science week, ‘bullying, no way’ week and R U OK day today. I thank our families for your support of these wonderful events.

I thank our Junior School Council, led by Naomie McLeavy, for recognising R U OK Day with a ‘crazy hair day’ today. The simple act of checking-in on a colleague or friend can make an incredible difference to that person, and at the furthest extreme, can be lifesaving. Like many, I have been touched by others experiencing mental health challenges in their personal and professional lives, and my greatest encouragement to anyone going through a time like this is to reach out to anyone; a family, member or colleague, and ask for support. We all have wonderful people in our lives who will only be too happy to help. 

At the beginning of the school holidays, there will be works completed to ensure the long-term integrity of our sewage system. Because of this, portable toilets will be temporarily placed in the staff car park to ensure the Team Kids program can continue to run for this period. Temporary fencing will also be erected to secure the area. If further information is required to be shared prior to the holidays, we will do so via Compass. 

I wanted to provide a reminder about conduct in class ‘WhatsApp’ groups. The intent of these groups is to build community and facilitate communication between parents about school-related matters. They are not a forum to raise or discuss school-based issues. I am always available to provide students and families support with any school-based issues that arise and I do encourage you to reach out to me via email here if you feel the need to. I have also attached a copy of our community guidelines as a part of this newsletter. 

Our School Council are a wonderful support to our school and have recently worked on an initiative to encourage one-way traffic on Bundeera Road at drop-off and pick-up times. Observing this area regularly, I see both dangerous and confrontational behaviour from both families in our school, as well as from the broader community. Attached to this newsletter, you will see a flyer explaining the Bundeera Road ‘One Way’ at drop-off and pick-up initiative, and we will also share this with our neighbours. We hope that this is another positive step to make our local streets safer for our children. 

We have greatly missed our Assistant Principal, Georgia Despotellis, this term. I know she is grateful for all the well-wishes that she has received during her period of leave, and she is excited to be returning at the beginning of Term 4. 

Many of our families will be celebrating the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashana, this weekend. For those who do celebrate this wonderful event, Shanah Tovah! 

Thanks for your ongoing support and keep doing your best.

Rohan Cooper

Principal