Out and about with Mr Walsh

This newsletter is a bumper edition with plenty of announcements, celebrations and information as we end the year and prepare for 2023. 

It is always a busy time as we come towards the end of a school year with a keen focus on teaching and learning with a sprinkle of fun and engaging activities. We are aware that weekends are also busy for families with Christmas parties, family gatherings, special activities, sporting commitments, etc. It is important that we try to keep as much routine with our kids (and us adults), as possible, while enjoying this festive time of the year and of course getting plenty of sleep. 

We will also be extra busy at Surfside over the coming weeks so please keep the following dates and events at the front of your mind and we look forward to welcoming back parent and carer participation at some of these events:

• Tuesday 6/12         - New year level transition rotation - 9 -11am                                                                              - Final school council meeting of 2022
• Tuesday 13/12       - Meet the 2023 Teacher Transition Session - 9 -11am
• Wednesday 14/12 - Kitchen and Garden Clean Up Day - parents welcome to help 
• Thursday 15/12      - Year 3/4 Bounce & Bunjil's Nest excursion                                                                              - Year 6 Graduation @ Surfside PS
• Friday 16/12             - Surfside PS End of Year Assembly @ 2:15pm                                                                          - End of year reports to go live
• Monday 19/12         - Year 5/6 Adventure Park Excursion                                                                                            - F-2 Eastern Beach, Rippleside and Movies Excursion
• Tuesday 20/12         - Last Day of Term 4 - 2:30pm Finish (Casual Dress with a gold                                             coin donation)

Surfside Primary School Teaching Team 2022

We work hard at Surfside to support transition at our school from kinder to prep, year 6 to year 7 and through year levels. We are looking forward to undertaking our transition sessions across the school over the coming weeks to prepare our students and classes in preparation for 2023:

• Tuesday 6th December (9-11am)
• Tuesday 13th December (9-11am) (Statewide Transition Day Year 6-Year 7)

These sessions aim to assist our students in meeting all of our teaching team for 2023 and providing our students a positive transition experience. Transition can always be a challenging time for young people and adults, especially as fatigue settles in towards the end of the year. 

Please check our wellbeing page for supports to assist you and your child with a positive transition experience.

We are excited about our teams for 2023 and look forward to working towards our school goals and supporting our students to maximise their learning and engagement opportunities. 

We have seen some minor changes to our team at Surfside due to retirements, travel or new opportunities. We look forward to celebrating all of these amazing staff and their contribution to the Surfside community:  

• Robyn Frew - Robyn has been an essential member of the Surfside administration team over a long period of time and we wish Robyn and her husband all the best as they enter retirement and we thank her for her amazing contribution over this period of time.
• Judy Fletcher - Judy has been an integral part of the Surfside teaching team over a long period of time and she has thoroughly enjoyed getting the best out of each and every child that she has been lucky enough to teach.
• Katie Heenan - We were excited to hear that Katie has been successful in picking up a Mental Health and Wellbeing leadership position at Northern Bay and we wish her all the best and thank her for her amazing contribution to the Surfside community.
• Tilli Hopkins - Tilli has been an integral part of the year 6 Surfside community over the past 2 years and we wish Tilli all the best as she takes on some other opportunities in 2023 and beyond.
• Jake Wilkie - We have enjoyed watching Jake grow as a teacher since beginning at Surfside, but as the borders have opened up Jake will gain some experience teaching overseas in the UK. We wish Jake all the best and safe travels and we look forward to seeing him back at Surfside in 2025.
• Adrian Chapman - Adrian will be with us during term 1 but the Chapman family are then looking forward to taking the caravan on a Chapman tour of Australia for the remainder of the year. We wish the Chapman's safe travels and look forward to welcoming them back in 2024.
• Dan Asher & Tom Roberts - We want to thank Tom and Dan for their contribution to S17 throughout 2022. Tom will continue his role at Bellarine Secondary College in 2023 and Dan enjoys the experience of working across multiple classes at Surfside and will continue as one of our reliable CRT's in 2023.  
• Madison Howlett - Madison has been a great asset to the Surfside team but unfortunately for us she has picked up a position at Lollypop Creek PS in Tarneit. This is a great pick up for Lollypop Creek PS as they begin their first year in 2023. We want to thank Madison for her support for M22 and her contribution to the Surfside team.

We welcome the following staff to Surfside in 2023 and we have been introduced to them in previous newsletters and I am sure that our community will quickly make them feel part of the Surfside family:

• Ebony Anderson - Business Manager 
• Finlay Florence - Classroom Teacher
• Ande Santilli - Classroom Teacher
• Pete Davis - Classroom Teacher

We welcome back the following staff who will be returning in 2023 and we look forward to having them back on board:

• Rochelle Snowdon
• Elli Moss
• Andrea Ried

Congratulations Mr Baker & Mr Marchbank

Mr Baker has finished for 2022 as he began his parent leave on Wednesday. Mr Baker and his partner are expecting a child very soon and we wish them all the best for the road ahead and look forward to seeing him return in 2023. Mr Marchbank and his partner are also expecting a little one in early 2023 and this will see Mr Marchbank start a little later in 2023. We wish Mr Marchbank all the best and Mr Wilkie will support our year 3 class at the start of 2023.

Junior Sports Day, Year 1 Beach Excursion and Year 2 Grandparents & Special Persons Visit

It has been a bumper week in our junior school with a number of activities and experiences. It was great to see our F-2 students out participating in a range of different activities for our Junior Sports Day on Friday - it was AMAZING to also have some sunshine. A big thank you to Mr Baker, Mr Fraser, our staff and most of all our year 6 student helpers.

Our Year 1 students ventured to Ocean Grove Beach with a focus on sustainability and environmental care. A big thank you to the Surfside Year 1 crew, the team at Parks Victoria and our parent helpers - there were a few tired legs that afternoon.

After a busy morning of sport activities our year 2's had some special visitors join them in the classroom for our grandparents and special persons day. It was a wonderful opportunity to share experiences and differences over time and for our students to show their special people the amazing work they do. A big thank you to the year 2 team and everyone for sharing the experience together. 

Kiah Colour Run

It was great to see our school bathed in colour last Friday as our students celebrated the 'Kiah' Colour Run. Kiah - meaning 'from a beautiful place' allowed our students to celebrate meeting together in a beautiful place and an opportunity to raise awareness of our 'Barwon Month of Action'. This was also a fantastic fundraising initiative that supported the school in raising a grand total of $9,100 and a big thank you to our families for supporting this.

Please check out some great photos below with plenty of smiles and a big thank you to Mrs Holland and Mr Chapman for their handy work with the camera.

2022 Victorian Schools Garden Program Awards

Our Kitchen and Garden captains were excited to head into Melbourne last Thursday for the 2022 Victorian Schools Garden Awards. This was the first, in person event since 2019 and a big thank you to our garden specialist Clancey for her submission. We were proud to be the winning school for the 'Best School Garden Exhibiting Biodiversity'. This is awarded to a school that encourage a variety of plant and animal life found within their specified geographical area. The crew were delighted to receive a $1000 voucher through Nursery Gardens Victoria.

Carols in the Park is Back - Surfside School Choir

The Ocean Grove Carols in the Park IS BACK ON AGAIN IN 2022 at7pm on Sunday December 11th. 

Surfside Primary School will have some special guests performing as part of the Surfside Primary School choir. We look forward to Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree at this years event.

This is a great community event with fabulous entertainment and a special visit from Santa, special guests and an orchestra. Programs and electronic candles are available at each gate. All donations go to Feed Me Bellarine. Bring an unwrapped gift for a child and all gifts go to Cottage By The Sea.

2023 Tennis Program - Ocean Grove Tennis Club 

A big thank you to Jacob and the team at the Ocean Grove Tennis Club who have been running some really engaging sessions throughout term 4. Unfortunately the weather has been a challenge but Jacob and the team are working hard to make up the missed lessons. If you are interested in being part of this program and want to have a try please check below and make contact with Jacob. Bookings are now open for 2023 so please contact Jacob to book a place or ask any more questions.

Tennis Come and Try Sessions - Expression of Interest

2023 Tennis Lessons Bookings - Now Open

Christmas Ideas

If you are looking for ideas for Christmas or looking to spoil someone special or need something done over the summer break please feel free to contact one of our school sponsors or supporters and I am sure they would love to lend a helping hand.

Keeping our community COVIDSafe

The Victorian Government, Department of Health Services and The Department of Education continue to have specific guidance in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our local community. We can all do our part in the following ways:

• Continue good health and hygiene practice by washing hands regularly, coughing or sneezing into your elbow and using hand sanitiser regularly.
• When unwell it is recommended that you remain home, seek medical advice and undertake a Rapid Antigen Test (these are available at the front office).
• It is highly recommended that if your child tests positive to COVID-19 that your child isolates for 5 days and returns when symptom free.

For further support please visit the DHS Coronavirus webpage