From Christian's desk....

Remembering Jackie Gorry

Last week we heard the sad news that former staff member and active community member, Jackie Gorry passed away. Today many of our community members will attend her memorial service.

Thank you to Libby Browning for giving us an insight into Jackie’s time at Croydon Hills Primary School.

Jackie was appointed to Croydon Hills when it first opened. As the school grew, so did her love for the Croydon Hills community. Jackie was a dedicated teacher. Her particular love was literacy, and as a Prep teacher for so many years she passed her love of books on to a generation of Croydon Hills' students. Two of her Prep students, Sian Jose (Yallop) and Chelsea van Unen are now teaching at Croydon Hills. She was so proud of that. Jackie always looked for the best in her students, wanting them to have fun at school and become independent learners. Heaven help the parent who carried their child’s bag for them!

Jackie introduced the Prep Christmas T-shirts, which are still made by the Preps each year for the Croydon Hills Carols. For many years as Prep co-ordinator, she visited the local kinders and knew every family who enrolled at CHPS. She always maintained an interest in her students and their families, and read the school newsletter with great interest until her last few weeks. Jackie contributed so much to our school and its community. She will be greatly missed.

Congratulations Leigh Dixon, Paul Brock and Laura Kitching

This week Carol Wyatt, Felicity Puckey and I completed the process of appointing Learning Specialists to our school. The successful applicants, Leigh Dixon, Paul Brock and Laura Kitching will join Leading Teacher Liam Sommers, Assistant Principals Carol Wyatt, Dale McInerney, Amy Prior and I as the school’s Leadership Team for 2020.

As per the Acting Assistant Principal process completed a fortnight ago, the panel were overwhelmed by the high standard of internal applicants.

The leadership team will work together to confirm roles and responsibilities in the coming weeks.

Introducing artist, Cam S (SNR)

Last week our Visual Arts Teacher, Claudia Michielin and Student Wellbeing Officer, Ashley Wallace approached me to introduce one of our talented young artists, Cam from SNR. I was blown away by Cam’s work and his creative flair. Starting this week Cam will be providing a comic or drawing to compliment my newsletter articles (his first heads this page). Thanks Cam for your efforts to engage our school community in the life of the school. Further, thank-you to all of our staff for your creative thinking and ongoing efforts to provide opportunities for our students to thrive and achieve personal successes in all areas of the curriculum.

Bunnings Working Bee

Next Wednesday September 25th is our big day! Both sites have been prepared and now it’s time to get creative! Students and families are welcome to join the Bunnings team anytime between 9:00am – 3:30pm. The school will be putting on a BBQ around midday for all of our hard workers.

Victorian Junior Landcare & Biodiversity Grant

Further to the Bunnings Garden Project and grant, congratulations to Robyn Twining, our school’s Sustainability Team Leader, who applied for and successfully gained a Victorian Junior Landcare & Biodiversity Grant to the value of $4,800. The project, entitled ‘Indigenous Bird and Mini Beast Garden’, will see enhancements to school gardens that will provide both educational opportunities and aesthetic appeal to the community.

State School Spectacular

On Saturday Carol Wyatt and I enjoyed the annual Victorian State Schools Spectacular. This showcase is a collaborative performing arts event for Victoria’s government school students from Senior Primary to Year 12. Croydon Hills participated as a part of the Mass Choir. Congratulations to all of the students for their participation. To our staff, Brodie and Mandy, thank you for the time and effort you put into supporting our students in this extra-curricular event.

Visit the "What's Happening at CHPS" page for some terrific pics.

The Royal Oddball

Our school production is just around the corner! Purchase your tickets to The Royal Oddball performances, Wednesday 9th and Thursday 10th October here.

Remembering Jack – Switch Off and Be Present Day

Last Friday our community had a lively day as we spent time switching off and spending time with the people we care about. The highlight for mine was the atmosphere during the student-led luncheon.

Thank you to the small team that has been working behind the scenes as the school puts together a number of small mementos recognising Jack’s place in our community.

Global Ed Day (Tuesday), Cricket Clinics (Wednesday), Sport Finals (Wednesday) and Footy Day (Thursday)

This week has been a busy one with Prep Swimming, Global Ed Day, Sport Finals and Footy Day. It’s been great to see the children dressed up in their cultural clothes and sports gear! Again, we have such amazing staff at our school who go above and beyond to coach our sports teams, organise and supervise sporting clinics and drama performances, facilitate event days and provide our students with such diverse learning experiences. Thank you!

Enjoy your term break, folks and we’ll see you all on October 7th.

Christian Holdsworth - Principal

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