Head of Campus
Custodianship
There are two ideas of custodianship that are important for us at Preshil; that we must care for and carry on our school’s vision, and that we must care for and respect country on which our school stands. These ideas were highlighted by a little family of Tawny Frogmouths spotted roosting in our Front Garden. They are a delight to the children who have collected their feathers and remarked on how cleverly camouflaged they are, and that they are only sometimes spotted has made them all the more fascinating. The children have asked where are they when they are not in our trees? Will they stay?
These questions are encouraging us to wrestle with these considerations about custodianship. At Preshil we are guided by our wonderful 'Courage' document. As each new school year begins, our staff gather together to reflect on aspects of this document and use this to inform their practice. We are, as a community, collectively the custodians of this ‘Courage’ vision articulated by Greta and Margaret Lyttle. Part of this vision includes our buildings and grounds at Arlington which are heritage listed and significant in what they express about how we view education.
The custodianship of our little school is a small story when we consider the traditional custodianship of country and place; when we acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we learn and play; the people of the Kulin Nation. We are working to care for our unique environment. Our ambitions include learning ways to honour and care for this land from the traditional custodians, and to find ways to implement this learning through action. We are committed to a program of indigenous plantings which we hope will encourage our feathered friends, and committed to fostering deeper understanding about country that will support our children to take action well into the future.
A little family has brought our community together to understand that care for country is an integral part of any considerations we might have of custodianship. We have a long way to go, and lots to learn, but we are excited to be on this journey.
Fireside Chats
At the beginning of each school year we welcome parents into our classrooms in the evening and our wonderful educators share their passion and their program with our community. It is also an opportunity to meet other parents, and sign up to be a Parent Rep.
Due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, we are asking that parents RSVP to these evening events by using the linked Google Form. We anticipate that all Fireside Chats will take place in classrooms, but should numbers dictate, we may need to relocate some to our Hall. In that event, classroom teachers will let you know.
Swimming Program 1-5 March
Bathers, towel, goggles and a big bus! Then we're ready to embark on our week long swimming program which will see children from the Lighthouse Fives through to the Peppercorns Tens and Elevens spend time each afternoon at the Hawthorn Aquatic and Leisure Centre swimming and learning about water safety.
Information will be sent home to all families asking about each child's swimming ability and experience so that children can be grouped for lessons. If you have a child who may be nervous around water, or you have questions about the program, please let your classroom teachers know.
Electives
It was wonderful to welcome back Electives after a COVID Hiatus. Bronte and Angelo came to share the offerings for Term One which include: Coding & 3D Printing, Gardening, Cycle-ology, Stop-Motion Animation, Soccer, Drama and Chess.
Cressida Batterham-Wilson
Acting Head of Arlington Campus