Principal's News
Dear Parents and Carers,
This will be our final newsletter for 2023. I take this opportunity to thank our fantastic staff who take such pride in the job that they do and ensure that our students get the best possible care and educational opportunities possible.
Thank you to our parents and carers who continue to be so supportive of our school as we all pitch in to this critical work.
A big part of my job, particularly at this time of the year is saving this staff from themselves as they continue to volunteer and endeavour to offer opportunities to the kids despite the toll this can start to take on them.
And thanks to our wonderful students. I continue to be a great fan of “kids these days” where the older generation will repeat the media’s claims about “kids these days” . I keep protesting on the kids behalf. Many of them have a lot to deal with but they keep turning up, taking care of each other and doing their best in all endeavours. I am very proud of them all.
TRANSITION DAY Today our 61 Foundation students for 2024 visited our school between 11:30am and 1:00pm as part of their transition into Primary school. Our Grade 6 children spent the day at their chosen secondary school.
All other children moved up into their 2024 class group. All children give us the names of some friends that they would like to be with, our class teachers have made recommendations and now the classes are final. All children have been placed with at least one of the children they identified they would like to be with, no one will be with all of the friends they identified.
Inevitably some children may be disappointed that their very best friend is not in their class; however we have done our best to ensure that all 403 children are with at least one of the friends they nominated.
It makes a very big difference if parents support us by explaining that the school has done its best and will always support all children to feel confident and happy at school.
FAREWELL This year we are bidding farewell to a number of our staff as they pursue other opportunities. We will be publicly doing so and making some presentations at our Mass this Friday from 10:00am at St Mary’s Church. Parents and carers are welcome to attend.
For the record though:
Ms Nicole McNamara is leaving us for a new opportunity at St Mary’s in Geelong.
Ms Rebecca Sahyoune, likewise has returned to teaching in a Specialist school, which is a passion of hers, so we certainly wish her well at the new Lake Colac School.
Mr Cooper McKay and Ms Kira Akehurst are also both leaving our team of amazing Learning Support Officers to pursue new career and study opportunities. We thank them both for their dedication, fun and energy and wish both of these outstanding young people the very best for the future.
KRIS KINDLE Classrooms will be celebrating the climax of the Kris Kindle program this week. Please ensure your child/ren has brought along their special gift if they haven’t already.
END OF YEAR REPORTS The children’s end of year reports will be available for parents to read via PAM from tomorrow, December 13th.
BEGINNING 2024 Staff will return to work on Monday January 29th however will be completing Professional Development training on the 29th and 30th.
All Classes for the children will resume on Wednesday, January 31st.
Please note Wednesday the 31st will be the first day for our new Foundation students as well. Foundation students will attend school until 1:00pm for this first week and a half.
LUNCH ORDERS
All Children, except Year six students, are still able to place a lunch order for this coming Friday 15th. Grade six students will be having lunch provided for them in the Memorial Square.
Jack Lenaghan - Principal