Principal's

Message

CAMP

Our Year Fours have just spent the last 3 days at Camp Sunnystones in Merrimu. They have had a wonderful time exploring the countryside and participating in activities such as hut building, orienteering, canoeing, archery and bush cooking. I would like to say a HUGE thankyou to the staff who attended including Miss Azzopardi, Mr Loong, Miss Spehar, Miss Davis, Mr Ryan, and Miss Banks, who have been supervising our kids 24/7, with minimal sleep. Our staff really do go above and beyond at SMPPS. A special thanks to Miss Azzopardi and Mrs Murra who coordinated the planning and organisation. We were also very grateful to have the attendance of two parents, Narelle and Adeline, who provided invaluable support for our kids and staff. 

STAFFING

We have a number of new staff commencing in 2025. I’ll have them introduce themselves in a newsletter early next year:

• Victoria Fear
• Constance Xanthos
• Clare Fensling
• Sarah Hobson (part-time)
• Sian Bayard (part-time)
• Sean Blythe (Education Support-ES)

We also have some teachers returning to SMPPS from leave in 2025:

• Cate Bain-Lowry (part-time)
• Can Osman (part-time)

Mrs Webb and Mrs Feast will be taking a year’s leave next year. Miss Kurts is moving to a school closer to home and Mrs Kilborn is returning to her home in Echuca. Mrs Murra will be on family leave in 2025 with her new bundle of joy. We say goodbye to Rebecca Rosen and Bruce Huyhn, who have been on leave and have made the decision not to return to fulltime teaching. Congratulations to Ryan Horgan-Owens who is moving from education support into teaching. And finally, farewell to Aashna Yadav (ES), who will be moving overseas. A special thank you also goes to Summer McCurdy who has been a permanent casual relief teacher for most of this year. I would like to sincerely thank all of these staff members who have nurtured our children so beautifully and wish them the best of luck for 2025. 

A full staffing list outlining year levels and specialist areas will be communicated in the next newsletter. 

CONGRATULATIONS

I’m thrilled to announce that Melanie Davis has been appointed as our second substantive Learning Specialist, alongside Miss Abbott. Sam Smrekar Thompson has also been appointed as our substantive Assistant Principal, alongside Ms Wan. Both of these women are outstanding educators and I am delighted to have them as part of our leadership team. 

SOCIAL MEDIA

It has come to my attention that there have been posts on social media by students that identify our school either by name, logo or uniform. Those students and parents have been spoken to regarding the inappropriateness of this. I ask for parents and carers to be vigilant if your child has been given permission to access social media, underage, and request that there be no reference to our school or our community members, in any posts. 

WALLS AND START DATES

I am excited to confirm that the dividing walls will be installed in the ground floor of the Discovery Building over the summer break. Given the extensive works and a very late handover, School Council have approved two curriculum days at the start of 2025.

• Curriculum Days (pupil free) – Tuesday, 28th and Wednesday, 29th January
• Year 1- 6 commence – Thursday, 30th January
• Prep testing – 30th January to 4th February 
• Preps’ first day – Wednesday, 5th February

YOUR SAY – USE OF 2024 FUNDRAISING DOLLARS

It would be greatly appreciated if one member of each family could complete this brief  ‘suggested use of fundraising dollars’ survey regarding the use of the $30,000 raised by the community this year. Survey closes Friday, 6th December. 

Enjoy the sunshine!

Nicole