Where has this year gone?

The year started with such a positive outlook, excited to be leaving COVID behind us. The Solway community has once again had many achievements to be proud of. It has been a year of challenge and change for everyone. As we look back over the year, it seems to have passed in a flash, and here we are in the last full week of Term 4.

There are so many ‘thank yous’ to make, and it would be impossible to mention all who have contributed to make the 2022 school year a success. Suffice to say, we are blessed to have such a connected, supportive and involved school community, and wish to acknowledge everyone who has assisted in any way, to make Solway such a great place to learn and teach.

On behalf of the entire staff team, we wish everyone a safe and happy holiday, enjoying the festive season with family and friends, and taking just a few moments to consider what each of us has to feel grateful for. Whatever you are doing these holidays, enjoy the many opportunities to relax, recharge and revitalise. We look forward to hearing all of your stories in the new year.

Year 6 Graduation

Thank you to the staff who have come together to plan and prepare the Year 6 Graduation, scheduled for Wednesday. Their commitment to this event has ensured that the students will have a memorable day. As always, this promises to be a celebration to remember!

2022 Yearbooks

The Solway 2022 Yearbooks will be handed out to all students on Friday 16th December. The Yearbook is a spectacular record of the year as it has unfolded at Solway, and chronicles all the fun and achievements. We must thank the Emilly Rose and the teachers who ensured we captured the highlights of the 2022 year with flair and creativity. I am sure families will appreciate the work and creative thinking that has once again gone into this year’s edition!

Further Staffing News

Congratulations to Renee Ferris who has been appointed at Hampton Primary School in 2023. We wish Renee all the best.

Families leaving

As I mentioned, 2022 brings with it a number of good-byes as many of our families have made the decision to move out of the area. Some families made the difficult decision to move interstate for work, to be closer to family or simply for a change, while others are moving to the independent education system. We wish everyone a wonderful transition to their new residence and schools and hope you keep in touch, we love to hear how our families are traveling.

Welcome Back Working Bee – Friday 27th January (4:00-6:00 pm)

To make sure the school grounds are neat and tidy for the students’ return and the welcoming of families back for the 2023 school year, we are again holding a Welcome Back Working Bee. If you can spare some time and come along it would be much appreciated. Please bring gloves and small tools to help us weed and tidy up.

Swimming Sports

A big thank you to Tim Chapman for all his organisation of the swimming sports yesterday. Thank you to the parents who were able to attend and help on the day, without you the day would not run as smoothly! Thank you also to all the teachers and staff who attended. The Year 3-6 students had a wonderful time and it was great to be able to hold this event. Well done to all the students who took part and went outside their comfort zone. Congratulations to the students who achieved their own personal goals and we will announce the students who have made it through to the district event in early 2023.

Final Assembly

Our final Assembly for 2022 will commence at 3:00 pm on Friday 16 December and will conclude when we farewell our Year 6 students at 3:30 pm. At the Assembly, we will announce the winning House in the weekly House Competition as well as our 2023 School Captains and Vice Captains. Parents are welcome to join us for the final Assembly – it will be standing room only. We plan to hold this outside the Performing Arts room, weather permitting!

Sustainability

The school is currently undertaking the reaccreditation of our 5-star status. Thank you to Lucy Gill and Graeme McWhirter, along with Sarah de Jong earlier in the year, for all their work on the accreditation. We look forward to finalising this and hearing back shortly!

Second-hand uniform shop

In line with our sustainability ethos, Solway will now have an online second-hand uniform shop! This is a great way to advertise, swap and sell your second-hand garments and arrange collection directly between parents. We have engaged with Sustainable School Shop to host the exchange and sale of second-hand uniforms. A big thank you to Alison Crawford for all her work in setting this up! Please see the second-hand uniform section of the newsletter for all the details!

Final reminders

School resumes for all students on Monday 30 January 2023 – Prep students half day
The School Office will be open for payment of 2022 parent payments on Wednesday 25 January, 9:00am-3:00pm and Friday 27 January, 1:00-4:00pm.
The Uniform Shop will be open on Friday 27 January, 9:00am-2:00pm.
The Welcome Back Working Bee is scheduled for Friday 27 January at 4:00-6:00pm to give the school a quick tidy up before students commence. Please come along for a short time if you can.
School families are welcome to use the school grounds during the holidays as we know you will look after them. If you see anything/anyone suspicious at the school in the holidays, or see any vandalism, please report it to the Police.

Have a well-deserved safe break over the summer holidays; we look forward to seeing you all again in 2023 ready for an exciting year!

Lyn Rodda

Principal

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