Walkathon

We were lucky to have the most glorious morning for our Walkathon last Friday. The children had a fun and energetic time completing their laps at beautiful Landcox Park. It was wonderful that so many parents could join us at the park to make our Walkathon a real community event. Thank you to Team Kids for providing free coffees for all adults!

Thank you to the Year 3 Parents, ably lead by Alex Nucette and Romy Same, that organised many aspects of the Walkathon. Also thank you to all the parents that have donated prizes for the Walkathon and/or helped with the ‘stamping’! Special mention to and a big thank you to Nick Martin for bringing along HERRRBy, the students absolutely loved catching up with HERRRBy at the Walkathon. Thank you to our students, not only for their efforts on the day, but also for their fundraising. A reminder that all sponsorship donations are to be submitted onto Compass.

This year our fundraising efforts will support two projects that will directly benefit our students. The first project is to install a new sports field at the Junior Campus – outside the Year 2 classrooms and in the area between the playground and peppercorn trees. Replacing the old artificial grass that was installed approximately 25 years ago. This space will include a small soccer ground and running track. The second project planned is to landscape the space next to the soccer field at the Senior Campus and include covered outdoor seats and tables.

Working Bee

We were blessed with perfect ‘working bee weather’ for our second attempt at running our Year 2 and 5 Working Bee. Dimi and I are so grateful to the parents and students that supported our working bee, we can’t thank them enough. Both campuses looked so much neater, cleaner and well cared for by 11.00am last Sunday!

Thank you to the following school community members and families for helping to make both Campuses look extra neat and tidy or gave a donation: Steven Aronowicz, Nirav Bhavsar, Elizabeth Blunt, Luke Buzaglo, Clarke Family, Adam Fletcher, Greg Hack, Lyla and Mick Hennig, Tim Hope Johnstone, Ella Jungerth, Leask Family, Brett Liddell, Hugh Maguire, Amy Malin, Margolin Family, Scott McGregor, Stef Perkovic, Anitra Robertson, Theresa Scott, Al Stratford, Tuminello Family, James and Mel Williams, Katherine Williamson, Jonathan Yap and Jasmine Zhang . Sincere apologies if your name is not on this list but we appreciate your help all the same!

Thank you also to Harry from Citywide who toiled hard all morning pruning and taking away a truck load of our green waste.

Our next Working Bee will be for our Year 1 and 5 Families on Sunday 25th May

The dates for the rest of the working bees this year are as follows: -

Term 3 – Prep and Year 4 - Sunday 17th August

Term 4 – Year 3 and Junior Campus – Sunday 19th October

Bush Bash

A reminder that our Annual Whole School Bush Dance is taking place tomorrow at the Senior Campus under the COLA from 2.15pm. Students are asked to come to school dressed in their bush dance gear - jeans, check shirt, denim skirt or shorts. Parents and Grandparents are most welcome to come along and watch as the students perform the dances! Children are asked to bring along a gold coin donation for the Red Cross Cyclone Alfred Appeal.

School Council

On Tuesday 25th March the new School Council voted in its office bearers and welcomed, Barry Goldman and Shaheen Khan, the new members of our School Council. I am pleased to announce that Nicky Martin has been re-elected as the School Council President and Lisa Liu as the new Vice- President. Darren Krawitz will continue the great work he does as our School Treasurer.

Our outgoing School Council members Tricia Ciampa and Amanda Berger are thanked for the services and contribution to the school. Tricia’s involvement with our school finished in 2024 with her youngest daughter moving on to secondary school. Tricia is owed an enormous thanks for her contribution to the school over the past 10 years, for most of these years Tricia has been either the President of School Council or President of the PFA. Tricia’s involvement and work in our school has been immense. Fortunately, Amanda will continue to support fundraising initiatives throughout the year.

ANZAC Day Assembly

Our special ANZAC Day Assembly will be held on Thursday 24th April. This whole school ANZAC Day assembly will take place at 9.15 at the Senior Campus, under the COLA. We will pay our respects and remember those who have served our country in war and made the ultimate sacrifice to protect and preserve the freedoms we enjoy today. Parents are most welcome to attend this special assembly. Please note this assembly will also include the presentation of SRC badges.

We need a Volunteer - If you have a relative, that has served in the Australian armed services and would be happy to recite The Ode at the Assembly, could you please contact either Dimi or myself.

This Friday is the last day of Term 1 and the students will be dismissed at 2.30pm. A reminder that the first day of Term 2 for students is Wednesday 23rd April. Our Staff will be returning on Tuesday 22nd April for a Curriculum Day. The teaching staff will be furthering their knowledge and skills on the Syntax Project, a comprehensive resource for the explicit teaching of grammar and punctuation.

Wishing all our families a most enjoyable and relaxing holiday break.

Janine Hall

Principal

Gardenvale Alliance

The Heads Up Alliance