Kismet Park Newsletter

Principal's Report

Dear Families,

 

As the year draws to a close, I wish to thank all our students, families, and our staff. I acknowledge all your hard work and efforts supporting our students, each other, and our school community. We are all looking forward to a break where we can recharge and be back for a fresh start to the 2024 school year.

 

Thank you to our School Council members and our School Council President Mr. Sean Bassett for his continued support of our school. Together we achieved a great deal for our school and students. Thank you to our PCA team who have come together to do an incredible job to raise funds for our school community. 

 

Staffing 2024: UPDATE

Today we say thank -you and good-bye to the following staff members:

 

  • Bev Keenan – Bev is taking some leave with the view to retiring in 2024. We thank Bev for all her work over the years at Kismet and for establishing our school as one of the leading schools in all things sport. Bev has been with our school for over 20 years and in that time, she has made some valuable contributions. We wish Bev the very best.
  • Jennifer Welsford – Jennifer is taking some leave with the view to retiring in 2024. We thank Jen for her work in our classrooms and for the ways in which she has supported our students and families.
  • Mel Gardner – Mel is taking some leave with the view to retiring in 2024. We thank Mel for her expertise and work as an Education Support staff member. Mel has made many connections with students and families that have made a real difference to the lives of children.
  • James Warren – James is leaving us to take on a new role at Craigieburn Primary School as the STEM teacher. James is pursuing his passion for all things technology, and we wish him all the very best.
  • Jaclyn Milward – Jaclyn has secured a one-year transfer to Lancefield Primary School so that she is closer to home and can spend more time with her family. We thank Jaclyn for all her support of our students and community and wish her every success.
  • Kylie Carter – Kylie is returning to one of her previous schools, St. Albans North PS as their Business Manager. We thank Kylie for her work with us and wish her every success. We thank Kylie for her expertise and valuable contributions to Kismet as the Business Manager and as a past parent and community member. Kylie’s contributions are valued and greatly appreciated by us all.
  • Sue Marshall – Sue is returning to her previous school, Melton West PS after completing her short-term contract with us. We thank Sue for her expertise and work in her Education Support role and wish her well. 
  • Sandra Pott – Sandra and her family are opting for a lifestyle change and are moving interstate. We thank Sandra for her expertise and support in her Education Support role. We wish Sandra and her family the very best.
  • Kristy Hermelin – Kristy is moving to Diggers Rest Primary School in the role of Education Support staff. We thank Kristy for her work over the years and wish her well. Kristy has supported many of our students in her role as an Education Support staff member and her work has had a positive impact for many of our students.

We thank all our staff who are moving on for their individual contributions to our school. We wish them all great success and happiness in their new settings.

 

New Staff beginning with us in 2024:

We are pleased to welcome new staff to our school. The following staff will begin with us in the new year:

  • Marc Simpkins – Class teacher. Marc is coming to us from the Northern School for autism. Prior to working at the Northern School for Autism Marc worked as a classroom teacher in mainstream schools.
  • Mathew Mann – Class teacher. Mathew is coming to us from Hazel Glenn College.
  • Annette Meriwether – Class teacher. Annette is a Graduate teacher starting with us. Annette knows our school through her work as a Student Teacher in the year 6 cohort.
  • Jody Bretherton – Class teacher. Jody is coming over to us on a Family Leave contract from Sunbury Heights PS.
  • Brooke Apollonio – Business Manager. Brooke is coming to us from William Ruthvan Secondary College where she was a Business Manager.
  • Jayne Nadja – Education Support Staff member. Jayne is coming to us from Broadmeadows Special School.

Returning to us next year in full time capacity is Ms. Daniella Vranesic who was a teacher in prep last year and went over to Japan to teach for the 2023 school year. Ms Cassandra Brodrick and Ms Ashleigh Gray will also return to our school next year. Ms Ashleigh Gray will be with us in first term in a support role before she goes back on Family Leave. 

 

2024 Teachers and Grades are as follows:

  • Prep/Foundation: Brenna Wohlers - Leader, Feliciy Dobson, Amy Bonnici
  • Year 1: Daniella Vranesic, Jody Bretherton 
  • Year 1/2: Leah Boyce - Leader
  • Year 2: Brodie Lane - Leader/Mel Pentecost, Cassie Hampton Smith
  • Year 3: Meagan O’Sullivan - Leader, Marc Simpkins, Hayley Jackson
  • Year 3 / 4: Nick Linton - Leader
  • Year 4: Annette Merewether, Christian Bojko
  • Year 5 /6: Kerryn Green - Leader
  • Year 5: Gennetta Arthrell, Lisa Taylor Jones
  • Year 6: Taylah Rees– Leader, David Bigger/Sheree Werrett, Mathew Mann
  • Performing Arts : Karen Bodily
  • Physical Education: Zac Corcoran
  • Japanese: Michelle Anderson/Emily Gale
  • Visual Arts: Michele Tabone
  • Tutor Learning Initiative: Cassie Cunningham/Ciara Stewart
  • School Chaplain: Nikki Gallus
  • Support Teachers: Cayley Blair/Ash Gray

Congratulations to our 2024 Student Leader who were announced at assembly this morning. They are: 

 

SCHOOL CAPTAINS

Jai Bussinger 

Max Dremel

Ava Halloran

Ava Quarrell

 

HOUSE CAPTAINS

McEwen:

Alice Goldsworthy 

Caden Wallace

Clark: 

Taylah Jorgensen

Ollie Hynes

Lambert:

Bronte Graf

Oakley Morgan

Hogan: 

Zaide James

Milla Lobb

 

PERFORMING ARTS CAPTAINS

Amelia James

Montana Long

Isabelle Hoctor

 

VISUAL ARTS CAPTAINS

Alexis Guerra

Bailey Mott

 

JAPANESE CAPTAINS

Hayley Elliott

Braeden Woods

 

ASSEMBLY CREW CAPTAINS

Cohen James

Braxton Bradley

 

CONGRATULATIONS to our Year Six Graduates for their efforts throughout the years at Kismet. Monday night was an incredible evening, and all our Year Six Graduates did a superb job. I know that all families who came to the evening were touched and proud of their child. 

 

Thank you to our staff who prepared our Graduates including Mr. David Bigger, Ms. Taylah Rees, Mr. Nick Linton and Ms Karen Bodily. Thank you to our parents/carers and staff who have supported our students over the years. 

 

Thank-you to all our students, from every year level, for your incredible efforts, laughter and positivity throughout the year. 

 

Finally, thank-you to all our staff for your work and efforts throughout the 2023 year. Your work seen and unseen is recognised and appreciated. Thank-you to all our families for your continued support and your efforts – it is greatly appreciated.

 

Together with all our staff I wish every member of our community a Safe and Happy Christmas.

 

Warmest Regards,

 

Kathy Cvitkovic

Principal

‘Building the foundations for success and happiness’.