Principal and Assistant Principal's Page

Principal's Report

It’s in!  It was so exciting to see the new student wellbeing pod installed on Thursday the 13th of October.  It is so exciting to have a significant investment in our school and I can’t wait to see the children and staff working in this new space on the range of exciting and innovative programs we run here at Huntingdale. 

Class Placement 2017

As in previous years, parents are invited to write to me regarding class placements for children in the coming year. This information will be shared with the relevant teachers and the insights gained by your comments will be considered by staff when children are placed in their new groupings for 2017.  It should be noted that there is no provision to request teachers.  Please remember that class placement is taken most seriously by staff and consideration is given to the child’s intellectual, physical, emotional and social development as well as the different cohorts of children.  All information received from parents is considered in this context. Please ensure you write to me by Monday 7th November as staff will begin working on class lists in the week following.

If you are planning on moving interstate, to another country or away from Huntingdale and are yet to notify the office please do so as soon as possible.  Numbers have a significant bearing on our planning and we appreciate early notification where possible. If you hear of anyone wishing to attend Huntingdale in 2017 please send them to the office to enrol we have some places at most year levels.  

Staff Changes

Last fortnight we were able to annnounce Mrs Erin Lucas' (nee Emes) pregnancy and we are delighted to confirm that Mrs Jasie Zelazny will replace Erin in 3/4E for the remainder of the year.  Jasey was our coordinator at OSHClub whilst balancing the care of her young famly.  She is now ready to return to full time work and we are excited to have her back on staff.

As you may be aware Miss Kim Philpott has been a key member of our student wellbeing team across the past few years.  She has been working hard with our children to support their wellbeing.  She has also been working with staff to gain better insight into current research into ways of working with children to develop their learning through a strong base in wellbeing. Over the course of the past two years she has taken study leave each week to work towards achieving her Diploma of Counselling.  She has now successfully completed her course and is taking a year’s leave from the department to work within this field.  We wish her all the best and look forward to seeing her back in 2018. 

We are in the process of recruitment as we speak and will be able to provide an overview of our staffing profile for 2017 in upcoming newsletters.  A very exciting time in the background planning and bring our workforce plan to fruition.  At this stage we have confirmed three new staff members for 2017.  We welcome Caitlin Webb who most recently completed placement at Glen Iris Primary School and prior to her university studies was Dux of her high school.  We welcome Jennifer Sikorski who most recently completed placement at Rowville Primary School and prior to her university studies was Performing Arts Captain of her high school.  We welcome Naoko Inuzuka who returns to Huntingdale after helping Wellers Hill Primary School in Queensland set up their bilingual Japanese program, being their inaugural Japanese teacher after having been both a volunteer and integration aide at Huntingdale whilst completing her university studies. 

Neuroscience of Leadership

The opportunities we provide for our staff we too should priorities for ourselves.  Over the past years I have been busily searching for an opportunity to further explore the human brain and its application to the work we do in schools.   In Term Two this year I signed up to complete my Diploma of Neuroscience of Leadership by correspondence.  This work is something that will support the work I do day in and day out here at Huntingdale.  I know I have already applied my knowledge from the pre-course work over the course of last term and look forward to continuing reflect on all things Huntingdale and the many people we have in our community.

Student Achievements

A reminder that we ask that any parents who have a child who has achieved something special at any time to please take a photograph and write a short sentence or two about what the child did, when it happened and what it means to the child and send this through to the school account at huntingdale.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au   Achievements could be getting an award from the local footy team or ballet performance or library book club or gaining their Boomerang Award at cubs or any other hobby your  child pursues we’re here to celebrate Personal Best in whatever form that takes.    

Have a lovely fortnight everyone.

Kate Gray

Principal

Assistant Principal's Report

It’s great to see more sunshine creeping into our days….fingers crossed that the weather keeps warming up!

Swimming

This week is Junior Swimming week. Many students in F-2 have been excited about the swimming program and have shared how much fun they are having as well as improving their swimming technique. Sarah and her team at Clayton Pool as well as Gill Penfold have done an excellent job in preparing the swimming program this year. Next week our 3-6’s embark on the swimming program. Thank you to the parents that have helped out at the pool and to our teaching staff for their support.

Attendance

September has been and gone! Congratulations to FT for having the most days attended in September and 3/4P for having the most on time arrivals. Don’t forget if your child is going to be absent to contact the school office or use Tiq Biz to notify the school. Gill Penfold will follow up with parents on any student absences.

K-F Transition

Our K-F Transition Program is in full swing! Our 2017 Foundation students have settled well in the routine of attending school and it’s lovely to see many new faces in the school. During this term’s transition program the Foundation teachers are running some parent information sessions on Literacy, Numeracy, Student Wellbeing and Japanese Literacy. Last week Mrs Wakely presented to a ‘packed house’ about teaching numeracy skills which was very well received.

If you know any neighbours, family or friends that have not enrolled their child for 2017 to encourage them to come at look at Huntingdale. We are accepting enrolments for all year levels for 2017 and beyond and are proud of the excellent program we offer at the school.

Pod

It’s finally arrived! Our Student Support Pod has arrived and is located near the Germain Street entrance. Jason and the team from Harwyn have done an excellent job in installing the pod and in the coming weeks we will furnish the pod using funds raised from the trivia night.

The pod will be the hub of our student support. This gives our students and teachers a quiet space to undertake programs such as Literacy and Numeracy Support, speech therapy and EAL sessions (English as an Additional Language). At lunchtimes we hope to run some clubs from the pod and provide a quiet area outside for children to play. This will all unfold in the coming weeks.

Trivia Night

Saturday October 22 is our Trivia Night. I encourage everyone to get together a table for the night and be ready to take on Mr Herskope, Hanazono sensei and myself….just to name a few teachers in the trivia night. There are lots of fabulous prizes and auction items up for grabs…….I have my eye on a few items…….. ask your family, neighbours and friends and come and join us for what promises to be a great night!

Have a terrific fortnight!

Ruth Biddle

Assistant Principal