From Head of Campus
Jennifer Trodden
The Final Edition for 2019
As this is our last newsletter for the year, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate everyone on completing the Pioneering year at Wyndham Christian College. Pioneering is not always easy and requires a greater measure of patience from all involved, I am deeply appreciative of your ongoing support and look forward to all that 2020 brings. I encourage you to share your feedback in an upcoming parent survey – that will be emailed shortly. It is important that your feedback is specific and personalised so that we can respond in the best way possible. Our desire is to build an outstanding school in the Wyndham Vale area, and to do this we request your input.
When you return to school on Thursday the 30th January 2020, you will notice many changes around the property. Five new modular buildings, and a large toilet block will be built directly in front of the teacher staff-room. This will accommodate the four Prep classes and one of the Grade 1 classes. This will be quite similar to the existing Prep & Grade 1 modular that popped up last Christmas break, however it will be brand new and purpose built with fresh carpet, heating/cooling, and mounted whiteboards.
The new building will still be under construction for the first 2-3 months of the year, the build is currently running ahead of schedule and is due to be ready in April. During the first few months there will be occasions that the Grade 4 & 5 classes will share space, however, each grade will have their own allocated teacher. Each class will enjoy their own dedicated space once we have shifted into the new building. We have purchased brand new colourful furniture, rugs, small group stations, standing desks, whiteboard tables and so much more. We thank you for your patience and are committed to providing high-quality education each and every day.
In regard to staffing, there have been many additions to accommodate our growth, we have also appointed a number of new leadership positions:
Leadership Positions
Miss Victoria Smith (Head of Teaching & Learning P-5)
Miss Shenaea Kahu (Head of Early Years P-1)
Mrs. Dawn Adams (Learning Assistance Coordinator/EAL/Intervention)
Mr James Mathews (Year Level Coordinator 1-2)
Miss Alice Yang (Year Level Coordinator 3-5 & e-Learning Coordinator P-5)
Teaching Staff
Grade 5: Miss Alice Yang
Grade 4: Mr Fred De Sosa (new)
Grade 3: Miss Courtney Hutton (new)
Grade 2: Mr James Matthews
Grade 1: Mrs Faith Wilke (new)
Grade 1: Mrs Fernanda de Souza Cerf (new)
Grade 1: Mr Adam Stewart (new)
Prep: Miss Frances Geilen (new)
Prep: Miss Christina Selvam (new)
Prep: Miss Natasha James
Prep: Miss Shenaea Kahu/Victoria Smith
Specialist Staff
Physical Education, Sport & Health: Mr Heinrich Fourie
Art: Miss Linda Venema & Mrs Christine Drenovski
LOTE: Mrs Christine Drenovski
Library Coordinator: Mrs Jenny Kay-Hards
Education Learning Assistant
Mrs Jenny Kay-Hards
Mrs Demi Browne
Mr Phil Ghali
Mrs Adele Wilkes
Mrs Anusha Kandikattu
Mrs Swati Patel
Miss Lanier Cruz
Mrs Ruth Guiao
Mrs Joanne Crump
Administrative Staff
Mrs Mandi Hutton (Office Administration Supervisor)
Mrs Rebecca Dadhwal (Administration, Policy & Compliance Officer)
Mrs Candida Nadar (Enrolments Officer)
Mr Justin Clarke (ICT Tech/Robotics/Property maintenance)
Staffing changes for 2020
It is with a measure of sadness that we farewell Mr. Ben Heckathorn. Ben and his family have purchased a home in the Eastern Suburbs. In 2020, Ben will commence work with a curriculum development company called MAPPEN. We are grateful for the time that Ben spent with us as our pioneering learning leader and we wish him (and his family) all the best for the future.
Transition Day Monday 9th December (FULL PE UNIFORM)
On Monday the 9th December, our students will participate in a Primary Transition Day to prepare them for their 2020 school year. It is very important that students arrive on time, before the 8:45am bell.
All student will drop their bags at their regular classrooms.
When the bell goes, all preps will meet on the Prep K classrooms where they will find out which of the three classes they have been allocated to. The remaining students will move to their existing classrooms to meet their new teacher.
Students should have food, water, a hat and be dressed in full PE Uniform.
The day will conclude at 3:25pm (normal time) – students can be collected from the same locations.
All new students to WCC will be dropped off in the foyer and collected from the foyer. Parents/Carers must use the Compass kiosk to officially sign them in and out.
During the day, students will participate in six lessons, including: pastoral time with their new teacher, Art, Physical Education, STEM, Literacy and Numeracy. Miss Courtney Hutton of Grade 3 will be unable to join us on this day as she still lives in rural Victoria, Grade 3 will be taught by Mr. Ben Heckathorn.
Late Start Friday
On a final note, we realise that children will be quite tired on Friday the 6th December after the school production and presentation evening. Some may appreciate a sleep-in so we are happy for students to be delivered late to school. Classes will still run from 8:45am but you may drop your children late to school up until 10:30am. We acknowledge that some families may choose to keep their child at home for the day. Please still advise of your choice to keep your student at home via our student absentee line or using the Compass Parent Portal.
Yours faithfully
Jennifer Trodden