Principal

It is hard to believe that it is already that time of the year again.  Whilst my time at Solway in 2024 has only encompassed Term 4, it has been wonderful to hear everyone’s reflections on another successful year at Solway Primary School. On behalf of the staff, I would like to thank everyone that has been involved in supporting our learning community throughout 2024. I would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday period. I hope you are able to spend quality time with your friends and families and have plenty of opportunities to relax and recharge, ready to return to Solway for an action packed and exciting 2025. 

Staff Farewell

I would  like to take the time to acknowledge the staff who will not be returning to Solway in 2025 and thank them for their valuable contributions within the Solway community and wish them the best of luck in their future endeavours. Mr Tim Chapman, who was been appointed as a Leading Teacher at Mt Waverley Primary School, Miss Shelley Dagan has been appointed to a classroom teacher position at Murrumbeena Primary School and finally to Miss Mel Balassis, who is off on an overseas adventure during 2025. 

Solway Transition Day

Today, students participated in their Solway Transition Day where they spent the morning with their new teacher and classmates. As I talked about earlier this term,  considerable time and consideration goes into the creation of classes. Our teachers know our students in great depth and I trust them, and the knowledge they have to make considered judgements regarding class placement. Of course, there might be some disappointment for a few of our students. They might miss a particular friend or be anxious about leaving a favourite teacher.  As the adults, it is our responsibility to support them through this. I have seen occasions where families have made requests regarding their child’s class following the ‘transition’. To be clear again, that will not happen at our school. Instead, if there is some initial disappointment, we will work together with kindness and resilience to ensure our students and families feel supported and prepared for the transition into 2025. 

Staffing

I am pleased to share with you our staffing for 2025:

Classroom Teachers

Prep B – Ms Emily Brooks

Prep O – Mr Joshua Guy

1O – Ms Anna O’Gorman (Mon-Thu) / Mrs Tracy Birt (Fri)

1L – Ms Penelope Lanyon

2H – Mrs Shelley Huggins (M, Th, Fri) / Ms Tamika Pettigrove (Tu-Wed) 

2M – Mr Andrew Mitchell

3D – Ms Brooke Danaher

3H – Mr Harley Duncan

4F – Mr Josh Fisher

4M – Ms Maddie Muir 

5D – Mrs Nina Dordevic (M-Th) and Mr Rob Tongue (Fri)

5S – Ms Rebecca Smith

6C – Mr Tom Chapman

6D – Ms Robyn Davis 

Tutors/Support

Mrs Sarah Watkins

Mrs Sophie Dellaportas (Jan-Mar) 

Specialist teachers

Physical Education – Mr Rob Tongue

Japanese – Ms Ryoko Yamaoka 

Performing Arts – Ms Theresa Tremonte

Visual Art – Mrs Erin O’Donnell

Science – Mrs Tracy Birt 

Integration Aides

Mrs Fiona Barron-Toop

Mrs Tonia Clifton-Mills

Mrs Anastasia Kotsonis

Education Support Staff

Mrs Sarah McDonnell – Business Manager

Mrs Karen O’Neill – Administration & Enrolment

Louise Pearson – Library 

Principal Class

Mrs Sarah Watkins – Acting Assistant Principal 

Mrs Kate Nancarrow – Assistant Principal 

Mr David Rosser – Principal

Acknowledgement System

It was great to spend last Friday afternoon out with the students enjoying their reward as part of our school wide acknowledgement system trial. The SWPBS team will take feedback from students and teachers and look to implement a system for 2025. 

Solway Carols Evening

What an amazing afternoon, last Thursday was.  It was great to see so much of our Solway community here to celebrate our Christmas concert. Thank you to all those who attended and supported our students. Thank you to Rob and Matt for their coordination of the BBQ, which was a massive hit. We will have to buy more sausages for next year! Thank you to Mrs Tremonte for your organisation of the students and thank you to the teachers for supporting the students to learn the songs and the dance moves. 

Graduation

Tomorrow night (Wednesday), we have the opportunity to see our Grade 6 students graduate. This is a special time for all those involved. Good luck to our graduating class- I hope you enjoy the evening and the festivities that revolve around it. 

Swimming Carnival

Thank you for your understanding and positive support for the cancellation of our swimming carnival on Monday.  We were holding hope over the weekend that the forecast may change, but with the forecast getting more extreme on Sunday evening we were left with no choice.  We acknowledge that it would have been great to run the event, however the health and safety of our students and staff come first.  We will run the event in 2025, fingers crossed the weather is kinder to us by then. 

School Council

I would like to acknowledge the parents on School Council in 2024, who participated in their final meeting for 2024 on Wednesday evening. Parents on Council participate in two meetings a term and join a sub-committee to take part in. Many work full time and give up their family time to attend these meetings.  School Council play a vital role in the running of a school, and I want to thank all members for their time and contribution this year. I   would also like to thank and acknowledge the staff on School Council for their time and contribution at these meetings that go well beyond their working day. It is greatly appreciated. 

Finally, have a well-deserved, safe break over the summer holidays and we can not wait to see you all back at school raring to go on Wednesday 29 January  for an exciting 2025. 

Thank you for your support and lets all strive to be “our best always”. 

David 

Principal