Principal's Report

We are now well on the way to implementing our Curriculum Program across the school and all the events that are typical of this time. This includes the provision of parent-teacher discussions, picnics, information sessions for parents, House and District Swimming Carnivals, Summer Interschool Sport and so on. Again, I encourage parents to refer to our website calendar to ensure they are up to date with Chatham events and happenings.

There is also the usual processes of School Council Elections, the meeting of our Chatham Parents' Club, the establishment of Class Representatives and a myriad of other matters that ensure our organisation, culture and priorities as a school continue to thrive.

Report by the Grattan Institute No. 2024-01 – The Reading Guarantee: How to give every child the best chance of success.

The concerns in this area have been communicated widely in recent times and on Monday we were lined up for an interview with Channel Nine, Melbourne, until school events on the north shore of Sydney took precedence. The report makes insightful reading and some real and practical approaches for Education Ministers and schools. Regardless, I concur with many of the concerns raised in the report and the related recommendations. I acknowledge that as a school we are well aware of the need for a structured approach to phonics and phonemic understanding. This year we have prepared our school and staff for the introduction of a phonic-based reading program entitled Little Learners Love Literacy and are well ahead in our review of teaching and learning practices in this area. The direction we are taking is in keeping with current and emerging research into the teaching of reading and the new requirements of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority. Again, it is a theme that I am delighted will be increasingly of focus over the coming three years. We will continue to keep you informed as matters progress. I am expecting other communications in due course about handwriting and spelling across schools in all sectors.

Parent-Teacher Discussions

At the time of writing these are continuing and we are pleased that most parents have taken this important opportunity to meet with their child’s class teacher(s). This is the first time we have used the opportunity to enable parents to meet in person with their child’s class teacher since the COVID pandemic and we look forward to this practice being increasingly used into the future. 

Parent Information Sessions – Curriculum Provision – Foundation to Year 6

Again, I would strongly advise parents to attend these opportunities. The allocation of times and dates is largely at the capacity of the Principal to work within teacher industrial entitlements and the goodwill of staff to make themselves available on specific dates. Please note that the following times and dates have been allocated with some minor changes. I convey our appreciation of my staff to make the desired changes. These have been placed on our Chatham website calendar.

Foundation (Prep)                              4:00pm Monday 19th February 2024

Years 1 & 2                                           4:00pm Monday 26th February 2024

Years 3 & 4                                           4:00pm Tuesday 27th February 2024

Years 5 & 6                                           4:00pm Wednesday 28th February 2024

School Council Elections for 2024

On Tuesday 13th February 2024 all parents and carers received a Notice of Election and Call for Nominations together with other information about the Chatham Primary School Council. I am pleased to advise that Chatham has enjoyed a long and enduring history of parental immersion in the life of the school and its community. Importantly, our School Council is the core expression of this valuable and cultural reality. This group is pivotal to the leadership and direction of our school and together with the Principal and staff, provide enormous practical support and contributions to our joint and shared endeavours and goals. The deliberations and decisions of our School Council are also supported by the works and efforts of our current Committees of School Council, which comprise Buildings and Grounds, Communication and School Development, Education, Finance, Fundraising and Services. These are further supported by three working parties comprising Canteen, Kitchen Garden and Library.

Every year there are usually vacant positions that naturally occur as School Councillors complete their period of office. This period is usually for two years. Some of these positions are for parent members whilst others are for employees of the Department of Education, who are attached to the school. Current members of School Council whose period of office expires can also re-nominate for vacant positions. Nominations for School Council close at 4:00pm on Tuesday 20th February 2024. For those interested, nomination forms are available at the school office.

If you have any queries about the role and function of our School Council do not hesitate to contact me or current members of the School Council.

Our final meeting of our current School Council is scheduled for 7:00pm on Monday 19th February.

School Camps 2024 – Year 5 & 6 Lakewood Park, East Gippsland

Last week we took sixty-nine students and a number of our staff to this extraordinary venue. In my view it is one of the best camp experiences in Victoria as it provides activities and opportunities few others can provide. Apart from the spacious facilities, accommodation and food provided, the events were rich in their provision. Our students enjoyed their own sailing craft, canoeing, adventure activities including a challenging ropes course, archery, stand-up paddle boarding, tubing behind a ski boat and amongst other matters, bush cooking and hut building. I am pleased to advise that our Assistant Principal, Ms Georgina Kirwan, our Music and Performing Arts Teacher, Mr James Rampant, our Maintenance Officer Mr Peter Manning, along with  Mr Tim Clarke, Ms Cathy Townsend, Ms Hannah Spivak and myself were able to devote the entire week to support our students and create this opportunity. This event is a watershed for student growth and leadership at this time and the timing of this experience is crucial from a range of perspectives.

Importantly, I convey my appreciation to all my staff both at the Camp and at school who enabled this to happen. I convey our appreciation of Mr Zac Barry and Ms Kirstie Briggs who together ensured stewardship and care of our school in our absence. As a result of thoughtful discussion and a sense of overwhelming commitment my staff have agreed to an industrial scenario that has enabled this to occur. The time in lieu provisions as they stand in the new Industrial Agreement make it virtually impossible for schools to now conduct School Camps in 2024 and beyond without significant support and creative solutions. We are doing all things possible to sustain these valuable experiences for our students.

We are also currently in the process of considering the potential for a Year 3 & 4 Camp. In order to provide the Year 4 students with a different experience we expect that we will not proceed to Arrabri Lodge, East Warburton in 2024. In order to assist with this process, Mr Tim Clarke has been exploring some possible options for a Year 3 & 4 Camp in Term 4. These dates are chosen to enable our students to mature and also to increase the likelihood of more favourable weather. We will keep you informed as matters progress.

House Swimming Carnival – Tuesday 13th February 2024

We were delighted to witness the excitement and euphoria of our House Swimming Carnival at Bialik College Pool on Tuesday 13th February 2023. On this occasion, Corbett were winners on 406 points defeating Nugent next on 347 points. It was wonderful to see the magnificent efforts by our students, but also the many parents who assisted to support our students or took part in various event duties. Thank you again to Mr Walter Boulton and Ms Georgina Kirwan who crafted and organised the events and the many staff and parents who gladly made it successful for our students. We now look forward to 15 of our students participating in the District Swimming Carnival. This will be held at the Boroondara Sports Complex, 271C Belmore Road, Balwyn North. For students to participate in the district event their times need to be within five seconds of the cut off time, regardless of how they may have been placed in the House Swimming Carnival. 

Kitchen Garden arrangements – Term 1

We are delighted with the progress we are making in this important area. Ms Leda Semercioglu will work with our teachers in the Year 3 & 4 area to progress our plans in this area. Currently our teaching staff together with Ms Semercioglu are planning a program for this Term that is informed by the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Program and combined with resources and insights from others involved in the program. We very much look forward to our students being involved.

Library

Each class teacher schedules one hour of Library instruction and experience per week. Additionally, our library is now open every lunchtime for our students to enjoy. Ms Andrea McLeod provides support in this area as one of our Education Support Staff. The Library area is also overseen by Ms Sue Minshull and we are delighted that we have four parents of students well into their tertiary education who continue to assist and support this area. Again, the tax-deductible contributions of our parents make a significant difference to what we can provide and develop in this important area of our school.

As the Term unfolds, I look forward to sharing with you the many achievements of our students and the wonderful progress we are making across all areas of the school.

Christopher Cotching

Principal

Helping to make school crossings safer for everyone.

Respect school crossing supervisors’ instructions.

School Crossing Supervisors play a vitally important role in ensuring the safety of children and our wider community at our school crossings. They are carefully selected for these roles for their diligence toward safety and their passion for working with the community and with families. 

• One blast of the supervisor’s whistle means stopping immediately.
• Two blasts of a whistle mean it is safe to cross. 
• Students should not stand too close to the road while waiting to be instructed to cross by the supervisor. 
• Students should keep together and walk quickly and directly to the opposite footpath.

Please note that school crossing supervisors do not have the authority to enforce parking restrictions. Their sole responsibility is assisting children to cross the road safely. If you need assistance with enforcing parking restrictions, please contact me at 9278 4774. 

Respect the road rules and parking signs

Illegal parking in a school zone is not only inconsiderate to other motorists, it threatens the safety of students. If our parking officers witness a motorist breaking any of the following traffic rules, they will issue them with a fine.

• Double-parking restricts the view of other drivers, obstructs traffic flow, and means children have to get out of the car onto the road. It also blocks the passage of any emergency vehicles that might need to pass.
• School crossings are there to ensure children cross the road safely. Parking within 20 metres before or 10 metres after a designated school crossing is illegal.
• The designated Kiss and Ride areas outside schools are No Parking, with a maximum two-minute standing time. This gives parents enough time to kiss and drop off/collect their kids before moving on to allow the next car to follow suit. 
• School zone speed limits are clearly signposted and must be adhered to.

Walk or ride to school with your child

Walking or riding to school with your child is a healthy and enjoyable way to avoid the inevitable traffic snarls at drop-off or pick-up time. 

• If you must drive, consider parking a few streets away and accompanying your child on foot the rest of the way. 

If you would like any more information about keeping your school zone safe during drop-off and pick-up periods, please contact me at 9278 4774.

Best wishes

Aysegul Altug

Senior Support Officer - SXP

Civic Services | Urban Living

8 Inglesby Rd, Camberwell, 3124 Victoria

(03) 9278 4774 | 0419 240 857

aysegul.altug@boroondara.vic.gov.au

www.boroondara.vic.gov.au