Principal's Column

What a year 2023 has been and we have so much to celebrate! We would like to acknowledge and congratulate each and every one of our students for all of the learning they have achieved this year. We commend them all for not only their academic development, but also their own personal growth as individuals. We would like to thank our students for doing their best in all they do, our staff for their dedication and passion, and our parents for your support and assistance throughout the year. 

It is with great sadness that we say thank you and farewell to some incredible staff at the end of this year: 

• Catherine Spehr
• Tammy Pritchard
• Brittlee Salvo 
• Kahlia Davis 
• Jake Wilkinson
• Ceridwyn Gordon
• Andy Parthenopoulos
• Ria Schimanski
• Tina Dovey

These staff have been important members of the Westgrove community for a various number of years, and have supported both students and staff throughout this time. We hope that they enjoy working at their new schools, and thank them all for the contributions they have made throughout their time at Westgrove. 

We would like to thank the wonderful work of our Student Leadership Team in 2023, particularly our School Captains, Claude and Juanisha and our School Vice Captains, Wisdom, Amy & Shumough. As a collective the team have positively impacted our school community and individually they have had great success and demonstrated personal growth. Our student leaders have consistently demonstrated our school values, shown their peers what it means to be a leader, treated all their duties with enthusiasm and their peers with kindness.

2024 Assessment/ Parent & Carer Interview Bookings

Our 2024 Assessment/ Parent & Carer Interviews are open via Compass and will continue to be open until January 29th. Please hop onto Compass and make an appointment for your child/ren for the commencement of the year.  This opportunity will support a successful transition for your child into their new class and start to build a connection with their teacher. 

Year 6 Graduation

Our Year 6 Celebration and Farewell took place on Monday, December 11. It was a joyous occasion filled with reflection, appreciation, and celebration of the accomplishments of our Year 6 students during their primary school years.

As our Year 6 students embark on a new chapter in their academic journey, we wish them continued success and growth. Congratulations to our students, their families, and everyone involved in organising this memorable event. May the memories created on this special day serve as a foundation for future achievements and adventures.

2024 Voluntary Parent Payment

School Council has confirmed that the voluntary parent contributions for 2024 is $195.  This is a parent payment is for items and activities that students use or participate in, to access the curriculum and for non curriculum items and activities used by your child at school. Please contact the office if you would like further information.

2024 Dates for your calendars

Please see below dates to pop on your calendars, which were approved by our school council in our last meeting.

• Tues 30th January & Wed 31st January: Assessment Day - Grades Prep to 6
• Thurs 1st February: Students commence - Grades 2 to 6
• Thurs 1st February: Assessment Days - Grades Prep & 1 
• Fri 2nd February: Students commence – Prep & Y1 (Prep children finish at 1.15pm)

iPads at School in 2024

Just a reminder that students are requested not to bring iPads to school in 2024.  All personal devices should be left at home, as the school will provide all technology when it is needed.  

Buildings and Grounds Projects

Recently we have had some success with the minor works projects we have initiated this year. The works below compliment the continued maintenance projects we are undertaking and are committed to (e.g. replacing of carpets, painting and the progressive purchase of new furniture).

• We have recently been notified that we were successful in a Minor Capital Works Grant that will have roof repairs and prevention works completed on all original Westgrove buildings. This will be led by the VSBA and be completed over the next two years.
• We will be installing a shade structure over our basketball court. This will hopefully be completed in Semester 1 of next year.
• We have commenced the initial stages of the design phase regarding the internal refurbishment of the Administration Building. This will enable a secure entrance to the school and prevent direct access to the school yard.

We hope our community has a safe and restful break and we look forward to welcoming you back in 2024!

Mr. Gatt, Miss. Slaymaker & Mrs. Richardson

Principal team