From the Principal 

Dear Parents and Carers,

Whilst it is a significant and sombre day; our students once again stood proudly and conducted a COVID safe Remembrance Day Ceremony yesterday. This is testament to regardless of everything going on within the outside world, our students are resilient and clearly displayed a very high level of respect to mark the moment the guns fell silent on the Western Front after World War I. Over the past century, this moment has been adopted across the globe as a time to remember those who served and sacrificed in all wars and conflicts.  

As we move towards 2022 and prepare to wish our Grade 6 students all the very best for their High School journey. The Victorian School Building Authority (VSBC) have approved another portable for our school, which will be installed later this term. This will mean we can recommence having Performing Arts in what is currently SD. The portable will be placed opposite the current JQ and JE portable and have decking joining both buildings, this will become a space for outdoor learning in the future. We intend on placing a shade sail over the deck during Term 1.

Over the holiday period we are also having some other significant ground works completed as part of 2 additional VSBA grants. There will be landscaping, and a new stage built on the West side of the basketball courts with tiered seating, timber solders will also be placed around the courts to stop basketballs rolling down the hill. We have also received VSBA Shade Sail grant which will be used in conjunction with family voluntary building fund contributions to provide a multicoloured shade sail area over the sensory garden. This will transform this area into a new learning landscape for our students. 

As we reflect on our student’s growth over the year, we will be moving from multi age to straight grades for Grade 1 to Grade 4 from 2022 with the plan to have straight grades across the whole school from 2023. This will provide the best opportunities for our students to be taught at their specific level of need, student misconceptions supported, and students can be extended to their own individual capacity. We realise this is a shift from the current multi age classes, however this will provide the best possible outcomes for our students. 

Now that everyone is back at school and all of our students are into the regular school routine, we respectfully ask all parents to check your child’s uniform each day. Non-school jumpers, black leggings are not part of the school uniform and should not be worn to school. We have a wonderful uniform, it looks smart, helps ensure all of our students are a united team and it underpins our expectation for students are setup for success when they enter the school each day. If you need any additional items, Beleza is open again, as well as our second-hand uniform which is available from the office. 

I’d like to remind all members of our school community, both Somerville Kindergarten families and Somerville Primary School families that dogs are not allowed in schools unless they are registered and approved therapy dogs. This is part of our duty of care for all of our students, to provide a safe and secure learning environment. 

It has been excellent to be able to begin our Foundation 2022 Transition Program. We will be continuing with three Foundation classes next year. As in all school communities, some families relocate at the end of the year. Please advise the office as soon as possible if you will not be returning to SPS in 2022.  As you will understand, projected enrolments influence our workforce planning and class configurations. Thank you in advance for a prompt reply.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Kind Regards,

David Tapp