Primary

                                                                   Mrs Leanne Schulz

Assistant Principal (Primary)

Welcome!

The Primary School staff and I welcome you and your family to the 2024 school year. We look forward to working with you and your child/ren throughout the year. We are also looking forward to getting to know all the new students and families. 

A warm welcome to our new Primary staff members, Mr William Nevill (Year 4 Homeroom Teacher) and Mrs Marielle Verte (Year 1-6 French teacher). 

Transition 

It was lovely to see the Preps and their families come for their allocated interview time with the Prep teacher(s) in the Fairview (P/1) Village. It was also great to see many of the Year 1-6 students and parents dropping books off and chatting with their Homeroom teacher. This afternoon allowed for a smooth beginning to the school year. 

The first day back at school was filled with smiles and excitement as friends reconnected. A warm welcome is extended to many new students, families, and staff to the College.  

Our Preps commenced their first day of school on Wednesday 7 February!  They were full of energy and enthusiasm. A very big thank you to families for preparing your child for school and to the Prep teachers for making the transition seamless.

Thank you also to all the Prep families who were able to join us for a Parent morning tea. It was a wonderful opportunity to build connections with staff and each other and enjoy our community spirit. 

2024 Primary Leadership Structure 

2024 Primary Homerooms 

Support Staff 

A very big thank you to the Primary School families for welcoming our new staff as they transition into the Aitken Community. It means a lot when parents introduce themselves and allow the new staff time to get to know everyone and the routines. Thank you for being so supportive, positive, and open with your communications. It is very much appreciated! If you have any concerns or things that you may not be sure about, please feel free to contact the Homeroom or Specialist teachers, the Heads of Year, the Deputy Heads of School or myself. Our community is based on trust and respectful communications, and we value parental input. 

The Primary staff are dedicated and committed to the education of children and work hard to provide a challenging and supportive learning environment catering for the needs of all students.  I am very honoured to be part of such a team. 

Candidate School for the Primary Years Program (Internation Baccalaureate) 

The Primary Staff are very excited to be a candidate school for the globally recognised International Baccalaureate (IB) Program for Primary Schools known as PYP (Primary Years Program). The PYP philosophy aligns with Aitken College’s Aims, Mission and Values, and its strategic plan moving forward.

The Primary Years Program nurtures the innate curiosity and potential of every child and fosters a love for learning, encouraging critical thinking, and promoting global-mindedness. PYP emphasises the importance of holistic education, cultivating well-rounded individuals who are compassionate, open-minded, and lifelong learners.

Our school prides itself on promoting a positive and inclusive atmosphere. We have established norms that encourage open communication, active engagement, and a sense of belonging for all stakeholders. As a community, we value empathy, understanding, and mutual respect, creating an environment where everyone feels heard and appreciated.

Along this PYP journey, staff will continue to facilitate student-centred learning experiences that foster creativity, critical thinking, and independence. Through collaborative projects, community service initiatives, and a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary learning, we encourage our students to become compassionate global citizens.

PYP provides a framework for developing rich and engaging learning experiences for our students. Teachers will work collaboratively to ensure that all areas of the Victorian Curriculum are taught and planned for so that student engagement and learning is optimised.

By joining an internationally recognised program we are committed to ongoing professional learning for our staff focussing upon best teaching practices that nurture the following Learner Profile attributes: inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced, and reflective.

We are at the beginning of a process and will keep the community informed along the journey. Be reassured that the existing excellent teaching practices will continue to flourish. 

On Wednesday 30 January, Primary staff participated in professional learning exploring the PYP philosophy and approaches to teaching and learning. It was a very inspiring day. The Primary staff look forward to two more compulsory Professional Learning Days on Monday 15 July and Tuesday 16 July.  

Mrs Natasha Radley (Head of Year Prep)

I am filled with excitement for the upcoming school year. As we embark on this new academic journey, I would like to extend a warm welcome to each of you and your children. 

I am thrilled to have your family as part of our Prep community, and look forward to a year filled with growth, learning, and memorable experiences. The dedicated Prep staff are committed to providing a nurturing and enriching environment where every student can thrive. 

Throughout the year, you will be kept informed about important events, academic updates, and opportunities for parent involvement. Open communication is key to a successful partnership between home and school, and I encourage you to reach out with any questions or concerns. 

I believe that together, we can create a positive and supportive learning community for your child. I very much look forward to a fantastic school year ahead.

This week in Prep the students started to settle in and get to know one another. They focused on a happy learning environment and what that might look like. They also learnt a word; 'cat'. With the word cat they focused on the sounds each letter made and made their own cat face.

Mrs Joanne Birchmore (Head of Years 1 & 2)

It was wonderful to hear the exciting buzz of students returning to school last week. As the children stepped into their new classrooms to begin a school year, some were excited and happy to be back amongst their friends, while others took tentative steps feeling worried about what would lie ahead of them. It certainly didn’t take all students long to settle in and begin getting to know each other with excitement and a willingness to participate. 

For those of you who have not met me, my name is Joanne Birchmore, and I am the Head of Year 1 & 2. This is my third year at Aitken, previously teaching in Year 6; however, I am in my 20th year of teaching where I spent 17 years at another local primary school. I taught Prep, One and Two children for many years and love watching the development, growth and enthusiasm of this age group. Please feel free to email me with any questions or concerns, or pop into my office located in the Fairview Village. I have already met many of you, either through teaching an older child of yours, or through morning interactions. I am looking forward to working with you all, as I believe a strong connection between home and school is imperative to the wellbeing of children.

So far, the Year 1 students have been working on their routines, coming into class independently, unpacking their bags and then engaging in developmental play focusing on building relationships with their peers and co-operating with each other. 

Likewise, the Year 2 students have also begun with some developmental play while engaging positively with their classmates. They have completed their first writing piece on their holidays, already displaying a willingness to learn and display a positive mindset. 

As the first two weeks of school is all about settling into routines, new classes and getting to know each other, the Year 1 and 2 students will be building upon their learning from last year using our School Wide Positive Behaviour Support program where they will learn about social skills, expectations, responsibility and many other lifelong skills.

I look forward to a wonderful year of working with you and your child.  

Mrs Anne Adams (Head of Years 3 & 4)

It was great to see so many excited and smiling students arriving last week! Years 3 and 4 have settled quickly into classes and school routines with an emphasis on the School Wide Positive Behaviour Plan throughout their lessons. On behalf of the teachers, we look forward to working with you and your child this year. 

Mrs Jane Steenkamp (Head of Years 5 & 6)

Welcome back to an exciting term ahead! Year 5 and 6 have been extremely excited to return to school after a long summer break! They have embraced new teachers and classmates alongside familiar routines, eagerly implementing the School Wide Positive Behaviour Matrix and fostering a positive and collaborative learning environment. Engaging in a variety of educational games and specialist lessons, they have showcased enthusiasm and teamwork. Last Friday, they were extremely excited to take part in Year 5/6 Sports, with all students actively participating in sports such as Volleyball, TeeBall, Basketball and Cricket and are looking forward to joining in for a second week of trials next week. 

Fairview and Cumberland Chapel and Assembly 

Fairview Chapel and Assembly are held every Monday from 9.00am to 10.00am and Cumberland Chapel and Assembly are held every Monday from 10.00am to 11.00am. Parents are most welcome to join us. 

Term 1 Assembly Roster 

Parent Information Evenings 

The Fairview (Year P-2) Parent Information Evening is scheduled for Wednesday 14 February at 7.30pm on Zoom. 

The Cumberland (Year 3-6) Parent Information Evening is scheduled for Thursday 15 February at 7.30pm on Zoom.  

These sessions will provide you with the opportunity to meet the year level teachers, your child’s homeroom teacher and the leadership team, and will ensure a smooth transition for your child/ren. 

We will begin each session altogether then there will be break-out rooms to join to your child’s year level(s). Links will be emailed to parents prior to the evening. 

Open Afternoons 

To promote community connections and build positive relationships we invite parents to join us for the Fairview and Cumberland open afternoons. Parents can bring along a snack to share. This will also give parents an opportunity to see inside the classrooms with their children.  

• Fairview - Wednesday 21 February (3.15 - 4.00pm)
• Cumberland - Wednesday 28 February (3.15 - 4.00pm) 

More information will be sent out closer to the dates outlining more detail.  

Allergies and Anaphylaxis 

Anaphylaxis is the most severe and sudden form of allergic symptoms. An anaphylactic reaction can be serious and life threatening. We have a number of children with anaphylactic reactions to certain food. Please keep this in mind when you are preparing your child’s snack and lunch.  The content of your child’s lunch box may cause a severe anaphylactic reaction to one of these children.  

Birthday Treats 

If you plan to bring birthday treats to school for your child, speak to the Homeroom teacher before you prepare a treat. A bag of lollypops is sufficient so please do not prepare elaborate individual lolly bags or gifts for students as this creates a level of unwanted competition.   

Reminders 

• Each child is required to have a named bottle of water at school. 
• When packing a lunch box, we encourage you to attempt to eliminate the need for any plastic wrappers around food. It is important to include healthy snacks, including fruit and vegetables, and avoid snacks high in sugar or salt. NUDE Food is a priority. 
• Your child must bring their hat to school every day otherwise they may have to miss out on playing. 
• It is also advised that your child bring a small tube/bottle of sun block. Please ensure that they have sun block on before they arrive to school. 
• It is also compulsory that hair is tied back, at all times. If the hair is at a length, which it can be tied back, it must be tied in a bottle green or navy hair tie, or hair colour.  
• Prep and Year 1 children are required to bring a spare change of underwear, socks and trackpants/shorts (blue or green) to school.  
• Jewellery is not permitted, except for a small stud or sleeper. 
• Smart phones must not be used to communicate with parents during the school day. 

Uniform Reminders 

Thank you for ensuring that students abide by the College uniform requirements. Some reminders are:

• HATS are needed for Term 4 (or no play) 
• Parkas are only to be worn with the sport’s uniform 
• Students must wear their blazers to and from school; unless over 25 degrees on way home 
• Hair must be tied back (not half up/half down) 
• No jewellery allowed, except for a plain stud or sleeper and a watch; if for religious reasons, teachers must be informed by parents 

Communication with School 

Communication between home and school is very important. Your child’s teacher is the first point of contact for classroom and learning related issues. The Heads of Year, the Deputy of Primary and myself are also available to discuss student needs and concerns. The best way to communicate with teachers is via email and an appointment can be made if needed. Please avoid trying to discuss your child’s needs before or after school unless an appointment has been made as teachers use this time for preparation and often have meetings to attend. 

It is most important that you follow communications that come directly from the College rather than online parent chat groups. AIMS is the main means of communication. Parent online chat groups are a great means of meeting other parents and keeping in touch, but they are not set up by the College and should not be used as an official channel of communication. Please check with the Homeroom teacher or the leadership team if you are unsure of any processes or procedures. 

Parent Helpers 

If you would like to help out in the classrooms, excursions or the Kitchen Garden Program, you must attend one of the Parent Helper sessions run by Michael Cooper, Director of Community Engagement. All parent helpers must have a working with children check.  

Cumberland iPads 

Important Dates 

Blessing 

Dear Jesus 

We thank you for all your blessings as we begin the new school year. 

Bless each one of us as we enter this school bringing our hopes and dreams. 

Bless our friendships and families as we belong together as a community. 

Bless our learning as we work hard with our teachers. 

Bless our family as we share and learn together. 

Bless each person who enters our school that they may share in the joy and happiness that comes from You. 

In Jesus’ name, we pray. 

Amen