Principal's Report

There is so much happening at our school at this time.

Over the recent period it has been wonderful to see our parents assisting in the Preparatory to Year 2 area with reading. It is energising to see the commitment of these parents and the enthusiasm of our students who enjoy reading for these special visitors. Please keep up the involvement here.

Saturday 27th May – Working Bee

We were delighted with the positive roll up at our working bee that witnessed a number of important tasks completed. This included the movement of approximately forty cubic metres of soft fall to protect students in two of the play areas, the movement of mushroom compost to some of our garden beds including the Koori Garden, installation of large planter pots and the associated trellis work, and removal of material inside the storage containers to either the large bin or to other parts of the school. We were also grateful for a number of parents who assisted us to move a large number of archive materials to a location in the BER building. I am also aware that a number of parents are planning to complete some further works during the weekend ahead. Let us hope that the weather is supportive.

Again, we are grateful to the willing contribution of these parents to make these things happen.

Student Enrolments for 2024 and Zones

Whilst the Department of Education and Training has introduced new procedures for parents seeking to enrol in 2024, the arrangements are still largely the same as they exist presently. I expect that in October/November 2023 the Department of Education and Training will review our small zone in view of changing demographics and the breadth of our new facilities. This will take effect presumably for 2025 and beyond. In the meantime, because of the increase in our facilities we will be taking students from outside the existing zone. 

The existing small zone was put in place by the Department of Education and Training when the school was previously in order of 450 students. With four new and additional classrooms we are in a position to enable our zone to increase and to take additional enrolments at all levels of the school. We would encourage parents of students seeking to enrol for 2024 to do so as soon as possible. This assists greatly with planning arrangements and also ensuring students receive a seamless transition to their lives at school.

School Assemblies

Increasingly our Year 6 students are taking an active role here in the organisation and planning of these important weekly events. On Monday 5th June 2023 we will add a new dimension with our Mathematics Captains to present Timetables Mastery Certificates to a number of students from Years 4-6. It is inspiring to see the way in which these students have been self-focussed on achieving this mastery and using a range of strategies to master at automatic response to timetables up to their 12 times tables. Whilst this seems somewhat traditional in focus the knowledge of tables and number facts is utterly crucial to understanding higher order numeration and related concepts. We look forward to increasingly providing these certificates at our school assembly in the coming weeks. I am quite in awe of the seriousness with which these students have taken on the task and the enormous and positive impact it has on their peers.

We strongly encourage our parents and extended family members to attend our school assemblies. These occur usually from about 9.10am each Monday morning in the school hall.

Fire & Rain NEVR Youth Concert – Monday 29th May 2023

We were delighted that four of our students joined the String Orchestra at Hamer Hall on Monday 29th May as part of the North East Regional Concert of the Department of Education and Training. We congratulate Hunter C, Jacqueline T, Neeson S and Morris L who committed to the recent rehearsals and were part of this wonderful performance.

Year 6 Incursion Talking About Money

It is fabulous to have the two sessions provided for our Year 6 students recently by the Ecstra Foundation. This is a non-profit organisation whose details can be found at www.ecstra.org.au . At a time when financial matters, are particularly topical, this organisation provides great scope for our students. The purpose of this valuable program is to equip students with essential financial literacy skills, focusing on saving, consumer discretion, saving and managing money, and associated matters responsibly. This enabled the further concept of needs versus wants and the various digitisation of money and payment options. Again, our educators were highly impressed with the knowledge of our students, their insights and the thoughtful questions they provided. Again, I convey our appreciation to our Year 6 teachers in creating this opportunity for our students.

AFL Clinics – 22nd May – 31st May 2023

We have been delighted with the professionalism, preparation and work of the instructors provided in recent times. Students at all levels have been involved in two sessions over the last couple of weeks. The program provides and engages students not only in matters relevant to the AFL code but engages them in ball skills and minor games strategies at all levels. We look forward to creating these opportunities with other sports codes as well over the course of the year. 

Physical Education and Sport

Over the course of the year our students continue to be involved in a number of House and District Sports events. Our Winter Interschool Sport continues this term for Years 5 & 6 with eight rounds and students involved in AFL, Soccer, Netball and Softball. Together with Ms Lisa Gilbert we are currently making arrangements for House and District Athletics in Term 3 and our Swimming Program in Term 3. More information will be provided in the coming weeks. We anticipate at this stage that our Swimming Program will be for all Year Levels and conducted over five days.

Additionally, Ms Georgie Kirwan and Mr Zac Barry are reviewing our inventory of athletics equipment and major games material in order that we can prepare our students for these important events. Importantly, the educational contributions provided by parents assist in enabling this material to be purchased.

Chatham Parents' Club

I am pleased to advise that Ms Jacqui McGowan is our Parents' Club President for 2023. I continue to meet up with Jacqui to discuss the planning and arrangements for upcoming events. Whilst many of our fundraising events are covered by the Fundraising Committee of School Council, our Parents' Club is particularly focussed upon those events that build and celebrate our sense of community. Recently this group were involved in the provision of the Mothers’ Day Stall and the Mothers’ Day Breakfast. In Term 3 this group will also focus upon the provision of the Fathers’ Day Stall and Fathers’ Day Breakfast.

Our Class Representatives are coordinated by Ms Pam Nasiakos and we look forward to the increased role of our class representatives across a number of areas. Progressively we are looking forward to our Class Representatives assisting with the revise and organisation of our Mathematics materials. Early in Term 3 I am hopeful that we can commence with the materials in the Preparatory to Year 2 area. More information will be provided by Class Representatives soon.

Christopher Cotching

Principal