Acting Principal's Report
Message from Jason Coningsby
Dear Parents and Carers,
I hope you are all well and that your child has had a great term. This is an exciting time of the year with both our Primary and Secondary Graduations occurring this week. I hope to see many of you at the Secondary Graduation or next week's final assembly.
I am writing to update you on the composition of the school leadership team for the first half of 2019. I will continue in the role of Acting Senior Education Improvement Leader (SEIL) for the first two terms of 2019. This role involves leading and working with the Principals of 20 Special, Primary and Secondary schools in the Hume area to improve the leadership, teaching and ultimately the student learning outcomes within their schools. This work provides me with valuable experience and learnings that can be incorporated back into Concord School.
I am pleased to advise that Kirrily Lamers (Assistant Principal-Teaching and Learning) will be returning to Concord School in 2019 after a successful year as Acting Principal of Arthur’s Creek PS. Kirrily has been appointed to the role of Acting Principal of Concord School for the first two terms of 2019.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank those who have acted in leadership roles this year. Thank you to Karen Hickling, Jane Stacey, Sarah Abbott, Helen Edmonds and particularly Colin Simpson who has performed admirably in the role of Acting Principal in term 4. A special mention also to Bronwyn Hart and Vera Mitchell who have contributed beyond their roles in term 4.
Jason
Thank you
As we come to the end of the term we are still working hard to complete all of our work and finalise arrangements for 2019. People sometimes ask if we are ‘winding down’ at this time of year. It is actually the time of year when we are at our busiest with Primary and Secondary Graduations being organised, our Student Orientation Day occurring on Friday and many teachers preparing to move to other rooms within the school. All students at Concord School, in their own way, have strived to be the very best that they can be in 2018 and we are very proud of their achievements.
Staff Farewells
Liz Portelli retires at the end of this year. Liz has been a dedicated teacher at Concord School for the last 36 years. Liz‘s passion and knowledge of social skills teaching has also been a huge asset to the school and the many children she has taught have benefited from her programs and enthusiasm. Thank you Liz we wish you well.
Other staff leaving us permanently for new challenges in their careers are: Caroline Inglis, Sami Schembri, Luisa Paglia, Patricia Patania, Kylie Trevascus, and Andrew Wright. Thank you all for your dedicated service to Concord School.
Orientation Day
Just a reminder to all families that the Concord School student orientation day will occur this Friday 14th December. As far as practicable, the students will move to the classroom they will be in and be taught by the teacher they will be with next year.
The arrangements for the morning are as follows:
9.00am
Current students will line up/enter their classrooms as normal. Secondary 9-10 students will meet in the gymnasium.
9.05am
Current students will move to their classroom that they will be in for the following year.
9.15am
Bundoora Campus
New parents/carers and new students will meet at the Discovery Centre.
New students will be escorted to their classroom by the section Team Leader (or a section aide).
Colin Simpson Acting Principal, Helen Edmonds and Sarah Abbott (Acting Assistant Principals) will address both new and current parents/carers.
Watsonia Campus
New parents/carers and new students will meet in the multi-purpose hall.
New students will be escorted to their classroom.
Kath (Assistant Principal) will address both new and current parents/carers.
Parents/carers are then invited to share morning tea with Kath and the other parents/carers at the conclusion of the meeting.
Prep students will leave with their parents at the end of this meeting/morning tea. Other parents/carers are requested to leave the school after this.
9.30am
Bundoora Campus
All Team Leaders will then address the parents/carers of all students who will be in their section the following year.
- Upper Primary – Gymnasium
- Secondary 7-8 – Discovery Centre
- Secondary 9-10 – Food Technology room
- Secondary 11-12 – Secondary 11-12 building
Parents/carers are requested to leave the school after this.
New Buildings for 2019
Attached are updated designs for our major new building. The design includes 7 new classrooms, a new Food Technology room, a Café as well as a Community Hub for parents, carers and other members of our school community to use.
I am sure you will agree this is a very exciting development. Please feel free to provide any feedback or ideas to the school.
Colin Simpson
Acting Principal
Classrooms and class numbers.
For 2019 we only have a finite number of classrooms available to accommodate our students. Long term we will have a wonderful new double storied classroom block however for 2019 we are having to increase the number of students in many classrooms. Please be assured that that the ratio of staff to students will continue to remain high and while there will be more students in some rooms the number of staff is increased proportionally.
Two 9/10 PreCal classes will be combined for 2019 and will be located in what was our old school library, parents of these students will receive a separate notice from Sam Birrell, Section leader. The 3rd PreCal class will be in what is currently our main staffroom.
Other significant changes will be the current 7/8 PreCal class moving back to the 7/8 section and the year 11/ 12 students making better and more creative use of many of the areas in our Transition Building.
See you in 2019
To all our student, parents, carers, families and friends, have a wonderful and safe Christmas and we look forward to Thursday, January 31st when we welcome all our students back to Concord School.
Colin Simpson
Acting Principal