Principal's Report

NAIDOC Week 4th - 11th July

NAIDOC stands for "National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee."

Celebrations are held across Australia during National NAIDOC Week in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday) to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest continuous living cultures on earth.

As NAIDOC Week always falls during the school holidays, we decided to hold our celebration during Assembly on Monday 20th June.

Mr Ware organised our event, which was led by our School Captains Yael and Kynan. Aunty Katrina Amon, Indigenous Development Player Manager at St. Kilda Football Club, shared her story, as well as indigenous culture and language. 

We gathered on the oval for a smoking ceremony which was performed by David, a representative of the Boonwurrung Land and Sea Council. 

Smoking ceremonies are used for burial, celebration, healing and 'clearance' or cleansing, and are also a gesture of goodwill and bringing people together. Performing the ceremony for another is seen as both a gift and a blessing. 

The ashes from the smoking ceremony were buried in our new indigenous garden.

Acting Principal from 8th August - Terms 3 & 4

Following a rigorous selection process led by Mr Stuart Andrews, Senior Education Improvement Leader, our Assistant Principal has been selected as Acting Principal from 8th August until the end of Term 4. 

I congratulate Mrs Dawson on her provisional appointment as Acting Principal and feel confident that Valkstone is in good hands during this transition period. 

During Term 4 the selection process will take place for the substantive Principal beginning January 27, 2023. 

Leadership Changes - A message from the School Council

2022 has been a busy year across Valkstone. It’s been wonderful to see students, teachers and parents all being able to engage in person at the school and for everyone to be able to enjoy our wonderful facilities again.

Following Marilyn’s announcement that she will be retiring at the end of 2022 (but effectively finishing up in August to take some well-deserved long service leave), I wanted to acknowledge Marilyn’s significant contribution and service to Valkstone and to the teaching profession over a very long and successful period. Many of you may not be aware, but Marilyn and Valkstone are synonymous. Marilyn’s engagement with the School began in 1957 when she was enrolled as a student at Valkstone in Grade 1, the year the school opened!

Since then, Marilyn’s connection with the school has been regular, having been a teacher, Assistant Principal and finally Principal at Valkstone. Marilyn became Principal in 2001 and has provided wonderful leadership to our whole school community.

In my various roles as a parent, School Council member and most recently as School Council President, I want to express my deep and sincere gratitude to Marilyn for her service and her significant contribution to the school. The teaching profession and the role of Principal have become increasingly challenging and Marilyn has evolved and adapted as this has occurred.

Being Principal of any school is a very challenging role, with many stakeholders to manage including parents, students, teachers, the Department of Education, the broader community and colleagues at nearby schools. Marilyn has worked tirelessly to support and represent the needs of our diverse community. We are very grateful for her efforts and acknowledge that she is leaving Valkstone in a very strong position. Our enrolments remain very strong, our buildings and facilities are virtually new and our students enjoy a safe and respectful environment and are supported to aim for excellence. Whilst we are very grateful for Marilyn’s contribution and service to the school, we also wish her well for a wonderful and peaceful retirement.

As you would have already seen, Angela Dawson, currently our wonderful Assistant Principal, has been appointed as Acting Principal of Valkstone through the end of this year.

Between now and the end of the year, your School Council will be working with the teachers and the Department of Education to conduct a recruitment process for a permanent replacement for Marilyn. We expect to be able to announce the outcome of this process in late term 4.

In the meantime I hope you will join with me and the rest of Council in thanking Marilyn for her leadership of the school over such an extended period and congratulating Angela on being appointed as our Acting Principal for the rest of 2022.

Your School Council and I look forward to working with them both, along with the rest of the School staff, to ensure a smooth transition and a productive remainder for 2022.

Regards,

Joel Chibert

School Council President

Year 3 Working Bee 

On Sunday 19th June, we planted Australian native plants in our new indigenous  garden beds. It was a chilly 5 degrees when we laid out the plants, but this did not dampen the enthusiasm of our Year 3 volunteers. Dylan Hewlett and Lauren Aitchison instructed and directed the workers. After planting, fresh mulch from our recent tree maintenance was spread around the plants. The results are amazing, followed by good rain and a sunny day. 

The children are sure the plants have grown already! Well done and thank you to all families who attended.

Thank you Dylan and Lauren, as well as the Year 3 convenors/parents who prepared our delicious morning tea.

Working Bees are from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon for families to assist with garden maintenance and small projects. In addition to helping out with the gardening, Working Bees are a fun social event providing an opportunity to meet with other families after two years of disconnection.

Next working bees:                  

17th July - Year 1            11th September - Year 6           23rd October -  Prep

House Points Competition

Well done to Grevillea who won last week's competition.

You can earn house points in many ways: showing kindness, trying your best, using the Japanese word of the fortnight, helping others, using manners and helping to keep our school and grounds tidy. 

On Thursday 23rd June, all children are able to wear house colours and the winning house for Term 2, Banksia,  will have 15 minutes of extra play at recess.

  Reported by Mrs Savigny - P.E. & Sport.

Acknowledgement of Country

At Valkstone we respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Victoria and pay respect to the ongoing living cultures of First Peoples.