Principal's report 

I would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which Kalinda Primary school gathers, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. I would like to pay my respects to their elders past, present, and emerging.

End of Year Fun

It was a lot of fun seeing all the students and staff with colourful hair yesterday. Being a bit silly and having fun is a really important part of how we build relationships and the level of wellbeing for everyone at the school.

Thank you to the Parents and Friends Association for planning these great activities (and for decorating the front fence). These little things add together to create culture and community spirit.

It was also amazing today seeing all the crazy and colourful socks the students and staff were wearing. Please see the attachment below for details about the remaining Christmas fun days coming up.

Staff movements

At this time of the year, we take the opportunity to thank and acknowledge the work by staff members who will be leaving the school and warmly welcome those who are joining us in 2022.

Dani Thomas and Paul Todd will be leaving to pursue teaching opportunities elsewhere next year. Dani and Paul have both played huge roles in supporting student learning and wellbeing during their time at Kalinda. They have also played a great role in creating a great culture here at Kalinda. You will be greatly missed and we wish you all the best in the future.

Jess Rouda, who has been working in an ES position for the last few years, will be leaving to begin her teaching career. We wish you all the best Jess and we are sure you will be a wonderful teacher.

Sharron Norden is retiring. She has provided incredible academic and wellbeing support to the students in her role within the Challenge Team. Sharron always goes above and beyond in her role and the impact she makes will be greatly missed. We hope you enjoy your retirement Sharron.

ES staff members Sam Martin and Chantal Delaney will be completing their short-term contracts at Kalinda. We hope to be able to work again with Sam and Chantal in the near future. Hilary Penglase, after a year of leave, has also decided to pursue other career opportunities. Thank you all for the contributions you have made to our students.

Mandy Boulton will be joining the school in a graduate teaching role next year. Mandy was an outstanding Pre-Service Teacher with us a few years ago and now has a year of teaching experience in 2021 at Marlborough PS. We welcome Mandy to the team, she will be a great addition.

Tamara Anderson and Bec Burley will be in classroom teaching roles in 2022. They both worked as Tutors at the school this year before replacing Steffie Ruggeri in Yr 1 during this final term. Bec and Tamara are experienced and highly competent teachers who add a great deal to the school.

And finally Ashlee Kidner and Jess White will be returning to teaching roles next year following Family Leave in 2021. It will be great to have them both back.

Maths Olympiad and Maths Games

Thank you to Helen Thompson for your great work with the Maths Olympiad and Maths Games Students.

Congratulations to all the Grade 5 and 6 students who participated in the Maths Olympiad Contests this year. The students worked hard on collaborating and sharing problem solving skills and challenging themselves during their weekly maths sessions.

The students then competed in 5 individual contests during the year against many other schools from Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore.

I am proud to say that this year's cohort finished in the Top 25% of team scores across all competing schools and Kalinda Primary has been awarded a Certificate of High Achievement, great result for the team and an outstanding achievement.

Individual results are as follows:

Stephanie W                      Top 2%

Schubert S                          Top 10%

Lanna X                               Top10%

Aeon Y                                 Top 10%

Grace S                                Top 10%

Jaylen H                               Top 10%

Jay K                                     Top 10%

Darcy T                               Top 20%

Serena F                             Top 20%

Thomas M                         Top 25%

Garv N                               Top 30%

Samuel W-K                     Top 40%

Congratulations to all the students in Grades 3 and 4 who participated in the Maths Games Contests this year.

They have all had a successful and productive year challenging themselves and applying mathematical skills to complex problem-solving questions. The students worked together, sharing knowledge, and developing many strategies and new skills during our practice sessions in readiness to complete 5 Contests this year as individuals, gaining valuable experience along the way.

Maths Games students do not compete against other schools, but their results are recorded and are as follows:

Gabriel B              Top 2%

Samuel M            Top 2%

Siara H                      Top 10%

Josie S                    Top 10%

Michael J                Top 20%

Ryan P                       Top 20%

Jack A               Top 25%

Austin H                  Top 25%

Samuel H             Top 25%

Gavin M                         Top 2%

Xavier M                Top 25%

Liam S                        Top 25%

Mikayla H               Top 30%

Caden G                   Top 40%

Jack K          Top 40%

Shaun McClare,

Principal 

Kalinda Primary School

We are kind. We are resilient. We are respectful.