Across Oliver's Desk  

Dear Parents,

As the term begins, the sun is shining, and we are all in a bit of a panic that the year has gone so quickly. Fourth term for schools is the busiest time of year. Grade six teachers are busy preparing our students for the secondary school challenge ahead. Prep teachers are busy getting our new students ready for their first day, while all teachers are thinking about assessment and the growth in their students. I hate to say it, but we will be talking about Christmas Carols night very soon. 

FRIENDSHIP REQUESTS

Next week we will begin the long process of placing students in grades for 2027. This is done over a month. The process takes into account friendships, academics, teacher aide availability, teacher, historical issues and even for some students’, classroom location. I appreciate parent understanding and help with the process. 

STAFFING FOR 2027

We are close to finalising staffing for 2027 which I hope to publish in the next newsletter in two weeks’ time. Woori Yallock is the only school I have worked at where it is unusual for parents to request a teacher. I believe this is because all our teachers are amazing and all of them work together as a cohesive team. We do however get requests for students to be with other students or in some circumstances to not be with certain students. We will take these requests over the next three weeks. If you would like to make a request, please send myself or Jess Howe an email.

Oliver.Thockloth@education.vic.gov.au

Jessica.Howe@education.vic.gov.au

STEPS MORNING TEA

Check out the photos from our steps morning tea. These students very much enjoyed their reward for being the best in their grades for step ups. I get to enjoy it too, lucky me.

VISITING SCHOOLS

During the next two weeks we are getting teachers from Ivanhoe PS and Healesville High School visiting us to see how we do things. We get asked to host other schools simply because of outstanding results. In our latest school report from the Department of Education, we have been judged in the topic category of HIGH. This does not come without a lot of hard work from our staff, students and parent community. But it is something we should be proud of. 

A number of times I have written that I have really enjoyed Australian author Judy Nunn. The last book I read of hers was The Pilbara, which I totally loved. I’m currently reading The Territory which begins with the bombing of Darwin during the 2nd WW. I do like her slant on historical fiction where she weaves in generations of families and their issues. If you have never read one of her books, I would say in the famous words of Molly Meldrum. “Do yourself a favour”. 

Remember when things aren’t going that well, escape to the wonderful world of a book and all will feel better. I’ll see you around the school soon. 

Oliver Thockloth

Principal

Thanks to our wonderful friends at Voight's flowers for their generous support of our upcoming Trivia Night