Primary School News

From the Primary School

Amazingly this is the last newsletter for the year and Christmas is nigh. It has been an eventful year with much happening and changing. There have been many highs, some lows, laughs, tears and much learning.

Primary Awards Night/Carols

Our Primary Awards and Carols and Year 6 Graduation were a fitting culmination of the year. Feedback on the new format is welcomed.

We farewelled our Year 6 boys, who have contributed so positively throughout the year. Our Primary Monitors and House Captains were superb leaders and ambassadors for our school. I congratulate them as we do to our major Primary Award winners:

Frassati Cocurricular Award - Charlie Morkunas

St Albert The Great Academic Excellence – Matthew Jones

St Dominic School Spirit Award – Nicolas Jackman

Staff Movements

There are several staffing changes for next year with Mrs Jacqui Ballestrin (ELC), Mrs Bianca Kovacevic and Krystale Petruzzella taking maternity leave next year, Miss Nicole Schwidder completing her Masters overseas, and Mrs Diana Hatzipalousis taking leave in 2019 too.  Mrs Liz Rowley has completed her contract as has Miss Siri Stewart (ESO helping in Year 1 mainly).  Mrs Caroline Wilson who has been Teacher Librarian here for over five years is leaving. And Mrs Rita Purvis is retiring after some 40 years here. Her contribution to this school and education in general has been outstanding and we thank her and wish her well for the future.

Next Year we will welcome Ms Chelsea Wymond who has previously worked at St Joseph’s Payneham - Preschool Educator as well as other centres. She will be replacing Mrs Jacqui Ballestrin and Ms Natasha Ambaras in the ELC.

Ms Loretta Robertson, who has her Masters in Educational Leadership has taught in Darwin for the past five years and has a specialty in literacy. She is passionate about teaching Maths and technology, particularly coding and robotics. She will be teaching Year 1 next year.

Mr Trent Allwood, old scholar, has recently completed a year’s contract at St Margaret Mary’s and comes to us with fresh ideas on learner agency and developing a holistic approach to his teaching. As a soccer and cricket enthusiast he will endear himself to the boys quickly. He will teach in Year 2 next year.

Mr Oliver Carroll is known to quite a few of the boys as he has been one of our outstanding relief teachers. He has been working at Rosary School this year and will also bring a fresh perspective to the school.  Also an old scholar, Oliver is an excellent tennis player and keen sportsman. He will share the Year 3 class working on Wednesday through to Friday.

Finally I would like to thank all staff, families and boys for making 2018 a successful year and wish everyone a happy and holy Christmas and a safe holiday.

Mr Frank Ali

HEAD OF PRIMARY