Principal's Report & OSHC
From the Principal...
Welcome to our final weeks of the year. The school is finalising staffing for 2020, being mindful of classroom locations to ensure minimal disruptions. Regular building updates will be posted on boards around the school and significant changes to routines will be communicated through COMPASS posts.
Classroom Locations for 2020
It is undeniable that 2020 will present with ongoing interruptions due to building works. In saying this, I need all of you to recognize that the final outcomes will be exceptional and what every child deserves at our school. Some classes will need to decant at times and others may experience higher levels of building noise but the school and department are working together to eliminate or lessen some of these conditions. Planning for 2020 has been far more rigorous based on the needs of certain cohorts and individuals across the school. There will be a lot of movement and changes based on decisions made to effectively keep students safe and the school operational during this time. I ask families to respect the planning time and discussions we have had with builders and departmental representatives so that we can all eventually enjoy new facilities and teaching and learning spaces. The STEAM centre is well under way and the children are truly excited by opportunities to engage in Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Arts related tasks.
I have attached a school map indicating where Year levels will be housed to commence the 2020 school year. The entire Foundation wing near the art room will be under construction and therefore the school will have to decant two classes to the hall. These two classes will be in the hall only until the Foundation wing is handed back to the school. They will then be situated in the brand new refurbished area, still in close proximity to the other class from this level. The classes in the hall have been well catered for in terms of acoustics. Solid partitioning will divide the spaces and as there are only two classes, the back end of the hall will still be accessible to the kitchen area and for wet days, if required. The vacation program will still be in operation these holidays and any changes to before and after care for next year will be communicated on an ongoing basis. The other positive is that we will commence 2020 with a fully operational library which means classes will be assigned time to go there for borrowing and browsing. Our new Foundation students will be located near the library in Room 1. This area has been extended with two new flexible learning spaces created and with easy access to the junior playground.
Facilities and Grounds
The bench seating has been positioned outdoors in the yard and students and parents have certainly been using them on a regular basis. The chess tables and seats will go out after the holidays when there is less construction where they are to be located and also to avoid any damage over the break. Due to the movement of a number of classrooms, teachers have been clearing storage areas and rooms of items that may be broken or no longer used. There will a couple of skips available to help remove this waste. Our maintenance person has been instrumental in helping staff with the relocation of larger furniture items.
Staff Departures
A small number of staff will be heading to new positions next year or taking off on new adventures. Simon Brown and Jacinda Hocking have both pursued jobs at schools they have been interested in. Simon was actively seeking a position in the catholic system and was successful at interview. Jacinda has bought a new home further afield and was delighted to secure a position at a brand new school nearby. Although we are saddened to see them both leave, we are thrilled that they have been placed in such fabulous roles! On another note, Amelia Delaney will replace Margot Hudson as our Performing Arts teacher for Term One. Margot is taking leave to join a team of educators who work and live with young people in a regional area. They introduce these young people to environmental issues, sustainability, outdoor education and much more. Amelia will then take off for her own adventures travelling the world for the remainder of 2020. We look forward to seeing her return to Ormond PS at the commencement of the 2021 school year. This brings me to the staffing profile for 2020, including our newest recruits...
Staffing 2020
The school has locked in the following teaching teams for 2020.
Foundation Team
- Amy Jones (NEW) – Inquiry Leader
- Laura Cecil
Year One Team
- Sally Berryman – F-2 Departmental Leader
- Elly Wood (NEW)
- Elani Gibney
Year Two Team
- Effie Liarakas – Literacy Leader
- Dorothy Markou
Year Three Team
- Justin Ward (NEW) – 3&4 Team Leader
- Kim Stewart/ Sandra Johnson
- Jack Cappichiano
Year Four Team
- Lorraine Bell – Numeracy Leader
- Gregg Workman – Wellbeing Leader
- Laura Bainbridge
Year 5 Team
- Courtney Mason – Learning Specialist / 5&6 Team Leader
- Michael Panaam
Year 6 Team
- Melissa Kah
- Ryan Serpanchy (NEW)
- Mary Thanos
Ms Dell and I have just completed proof reading reports and these will be sent home next Monday. The school has made some minor changes to the formatting of reports which will be outlined in a covering letter. The students will then find out their home teacher on Tuesday during our final transition session. A reminder that the school can no longer accommodate requests as all classes have been entered on to our CASES system. The classes were created by teaching teams based on criteria around academic and social and emotional needs. Much time was given to the teachers to complete this rigorous process.
Thank you to all families who have promptly processed their payments for 2020. For those who have yet to do so, please ensure you do process these by Friday 13th December so we can finalise the number of booklists and supplies required for 2020. Please see Compass for payment options, or if you have any further questions please contact Jan or Brodie in the office as soon as possible.
Finally, I would like to thank the school council for another productive year working on whole school improvement and governance. I understand a few members will be leaving at the end of this year with children departing from Year 6. We will be thanking and acknowledging these highly valued school council members at our AGM in March but I do want to mention both Kit Vati and Damien Sherman. They have both had significant roles on council. Kit is our current school council president and Damien is the treasurer of the school. Both these roles require significant time and energy. I have truly appreciated the support, advice and experience they both bring to council. Kit has worked closely with me to plan, to trouble shoot and to build the capacity of other council members. I have been on many school councils but both Kit and Damien’s dedication to the school and their focus on whole school improvement, surpasses anything else I have ever encountered. Thank you both for your time, your commitment and your overall support.
To all other families – I wish you every happiness over the festive season. If you are not attending graduation or the final assembly, I wish you a happy and safe holiday. I am sure all students will appreciate the break and the opportunity to spend a restful time with family and friends. I look forward to 2020 and the excitement of new classrooms, new learning opportunities and our new foundation students commencing.
Kerri McLeod
Principal
Kerri McLeod
Principal
Out of School Hours Care
2020 Program Enrolments
For new families and families currently using the BASC program
Enrolment forms for 2020 can be found attached below and will also be sent out on Compass. Alternatively you can pick one up in person from the program or front office. Please also return the Pink and Yellow forms.
An immunisation certificate must be attached to the enrolment form for new children attending the service for the first time. Incomplete enrolment forms, without a booking commencement date or forms stating (To be announced or confirmed) will not be accepted and will be returned.
Any families requiring Before & After School Care or Vacation Care for 2020 must submit an enrolment form by Tuesday 10th December.
Holiday Program Dates
Summer Holiday Program 2020 is attached below and is also available on Compass and directly from the program.
The Holiday Program will run from Monday 13th January till Tuesday 28th January (excluding the Public Holiday on Monday 26th January). Holiday Program bookings will only be accepted with completed 2020 enrolment form and a deposit.
Holiday Program January 2020.pdf
Booking-Conformation HP Jan 2020.pdf
After School Care Excursion Wednesday 18th December
Due to the Year 6 Graduation celebrations, children attending the After School Care Program on Wednesday 18th December will be attending a local excursion to Alnutt Park. If your children usually attend the After School Care Program on a Wednesday they will be required to attend the excursion as there will be no child care provided at the school. It is essential, parents authorise their children to attend the excursion by signing the permission form. Permission forms will be available from the sign out desk in the hall.
Excursion Schedule
3.45pm - The After School Care Children will depart the school.
3.50pm - Walk to Alnutt Park.
4.00pm - Afternoon Tea in the Park.
4.10pm to 5.30pm - Park Activities.
5.45pm - Return Walk to School.
5.55pm - Arrive back at School.
Parents can collect their children from the park between 4.10pm to 5.45pm or from school between 5.55pm to 6.00pm.
Last Day of Term
On Friday 20th December to accommodate the schools early finish time. The After School Care program will operate from 1.30pm to 6.00pm. To celebrate the end of the school year the program will be having a party. If your children are attending on the last day of school please nominate an item on the party list displayed in the program dairy. If you intend to cancel your children’s regular after school care booking for the last Friday, or if you require to book the session, Please advise us by Wednesday 18th December.
After School Care Activities
Thursday 12th - Xmas Activity
Friday 13th - Xmas Activity
Monday 16th - Xmas Activity
Tuesday 17th - Xmas Activity
Wednesday 18th - Alnutt Park Excursion
Thursday 19th - Xmas Activity
Friday 20th - End of Term Party
We have not given a description of the Xmas Activities, so the children can surprise you!!
April Kopitz
Coordinator
Out of School Hours Program