Principal's 

Report

Instrumental Music Concert

Last night I was privileged to enjoy the musical talents of a number of our students who are part of the Instrumental Musical Program. All the students did a fabulous job, as we know they are all at different stages in their learning but their enthusiasm, and confidence in their performances was proudly on display.

Step Up Morning 

Tomorrow all students will have the opportunity to experience what their next Year level will be like in 2026. From 9.15am to 12.30pm students will move with their class they are in to the next level classroom. Please note they will not be in their actual class for next year or be with their teacher for next year. The point of the experience is to support students with the transition process. 

Thank You

On Tuesday evening, the School Council held their final meeting for 2025. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all members of the Syndal South Primary School School Council; Parent representatives (Elaine Wong, Maulik Shah, Sharon Burgess, Riaz Kingston, Stephani Ting, Titaha Gillman), and Dept of Education representatives (Clare Searle, Jess Jason, Rebecca Stonehouse-Melke) for your generous contribution of both time and energy in participating on School Council over the year. The commitment you all make to the school is an outstanding one and is very much appreciated by the staff and the wider school community. 

Parent’s Association

Last week I attended the PA’s Annual General Meeting. It was an opportunity to look back over the year and celebrate all the accomplishments of this determined group of wonderful parents. The staff and students are extremely grateful for the support we have had over the year from the PA for a variety of activities.

Secondhand Book Sale

Last week we had the successful jointly run fundraiser between the Green Team and the Parent’s Association. As you would be aware the Green Team had been asking for donations of good quality secondhand books over the term, and yes, they had a fantastic response, with loads of books being donated for the sale. The PA helped to sort, price and sell the books on the day with a great total of $970 being raised. A huge thank you to the Green Team and the PA helpers.

Graduation

Next Thursday evening our Year 6 families and friends will celebrate the graduation of  fifty-nine students at ‘The Whitehorse Club’ East Burwood. The format of the evening will include the students enjoying a meal together followed by the formal graduation ceremony and the presentation of awards, to mark the end of their 7 years of primary schooling. I wish them all the best on this memorable occasion.

Reports

Teachers have now completed reports, and they are currently being finalised. Families will receive student reports on Monday 15th December via Compass. If your child is leaving SSPS at the end of the year (including all Year 6 students) please ensure you download your child’s report before Compass access ceases (on 31st December).

2026 Staffing

Principal: To be advised

Leading Teacher: Rebecca Stonehouse-Melke

Learning Specialist: Clare Searle

FA – Irene Antzoulatos

FJ – Jess Jason

1G – Elizabeth Germanos

1S – Clare Searle/Rachel Howes

2C – Cindy Chiang

2T – Caroline Tait

3C – Danielle Canavan

3F – Jo Fisher

4P – Flavia Petrucci

4S – Rebecca Stonehouse-Melke/Chloe Bourke

5H – Kate Holly/Chloe Bourke

5GP – Maria Giannone-Perri

6D – Michelle Dodson

6P – Amber Panagopoulos/Jarrod Riley

Specialist Team

Physical Education: Jarrod Riley

Music: Leo Kahans

Japanese: Elaine

Art: Skye Threadgold

Teaching Learning Support: Rachel Howes, Lexi Boomsma,

Office Team: Annette Bruce, Michelle Huppe

Education Support Staff: Inger Robinson, Sally Blaber, Alec Blaber, Samantha Pergadis, Sachintha Abeysinghe Mudiyanselage, Siobhan Selvarajoo.

As always at the end of a school year, we have an opportunity to welcome new members to our team and say farewell to some of our current staff.

In 2026 we welcome Cindy Chiang to our teaching team, and we welcome back Danielle Canavan who has been away teaching in the UAE for the past 4 1/2 years.  Jessie Evans will be taking a further year of leave in 2026.

We will be saying farewell to a number of staff for many different reasons:

James Wang who will be heading off to Huntingtower, Tori Ferres heading to Carnegie Primary School, Ellie Derrick is moving down to Geelong and will be taking up a position at Belmont Primary School and Will Robinson who is now a qualified teacher and will be moving to Lysterfield Primary School. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all these wonderful educators for their contribution to SSPS and to the care and learning opportunities that they have provided their students. We wish them all the very best for their future endeavours.

Julie Pfitzner after 11 years of doing an amazing job in the Office has decided to retire. Over those years, Julie has been the steady, dependable heart of our school. Julie brings wisdom, knowledge, experience, and a can-do attitude to everything she touches. She is super organised, gets the job done, and has been a truly wonderful support to the students and her colleagues. A huge thank you to Julie for all that she has done at SSPS. We wish her all the very best for a wonderful retirement.

Our other retiree is Jan Oliver. Jan has been working with our English as a Second Language students, over the past 7 years and has done an amazing job, not only teaching the students English but supporting them both socially and emotionally. Thanks Jan and all the best for a wonderful retirement.

ICAS Results

Congratulations to all the students who sat the ICAS assessments for 2025. A special mention to those students who achieved a High Distinction.

Mathematics

Lexi - Year 2

Leon - Year 3

Enzo - Year 4

Science

Zev - Year 2

Olivia - Year 3

Enzo - Year 4

Finally, with the end of the school year fast approaching we have the Year 6 students looking forward to their Graduation, we also have the Flying Bookworm Christmas Show performing on Monday 15th December and the Disco happening on Thursday 18th December, with our final assembly and special farewell to our wonderful Year 6 students on Friday 19th December at 1.30pm. 

Following on from the newsfeed regarding the Principal Selection Process I would like to reiterate that our school is well set up in terms of an excellent leadership team and staff with outstanding programs established in all areas of the curriculum covering both the academic  and social, emotional wellbeing of all our students, and are ready to work with an acting interim principal until a substantive principal is appointed. 

Enjoy your fortnight ahead.

Helen

Principal