Principal's Report
Term 4
The 2022 school year has been exciting for our students as, for the first time in several years, they have participated in engaging activities such as camps, excursions, musicals, sports, incursions and graduations. We are so proud of the way our students have strived to achieve their personal best each day.
The skills and personal attributes that our students have learnt throughout their schooling were demonstrated last Thursday at our Year 12 Graduation. Held for the first time at the Uni Hill Conference Centre, the graduation was an emotional evening as each student read their speech reflecting their educational journey. All students will be participating in further education or employment next year and we wish them all the very best for the future. We look forward to the Year 6 Graduation next Thursday as our students celebrate their achievements in primary school.
Next Tuesday 13th December is our Transition Day across the school. Students will spend the day with their new teacher and class in their 2023 classroom. Please note that this is subject to change, particularly at the Watsonia Campus where many potential enrolments are still to be assessed. We all have much to look forward to in 2023.
I would like to thank all of the staff at Concord School for your dedication in ensuring our students are ‘the best they can be’. Thanks also to our parents and carers who work so hard to support our students. A very special thank you to our students who continue to inspire us. Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We look forward to Tuesday 31st January when we welcome back our students for their first day of 2023.
Please note that on the evening of Wednesday 1st February we will hold an Information Evening for all Upper Primary, Secondary 7/8 and Secondary 9/10 families and a Meet the Teacher Evening on Monday 13th February for all students and families.
Farewells
This is the time of the year when we acknowledge the work of staff who are leaving our school at the end of the year.
Jennie Thompson has been an integral part of the Concord School community since commencing in 2002. Jennie spent many years teaching in Upper Primary and has always been passionate about providing the very best for students, particularly those who have required additional behavioural support. In recent years Jennie has delivered the Social Competecies program to students at the Bundoora Campus. We wish Jennie well in the next stage of her career.
Nina Kahle has taught at Concord School since 2004 in all Secondary sections of the school and has also delivered the Social Competencies program. She has previously designed and taught a program for disengaged students within the school and in recent years has mentored and supported our Koorie students including initiating a camp to Blackwood. Thank you, Nina, for your commitment to Concord School.
Tim Clarke has taught Secondary students in all sections since commencing at Concord School in 2008. Tim has also been a leader in the Secondary 9/10 area of the school. Tim’s students find him highly engaging with his positive attitude and sense of humour. Tim has been the MC at many school events and recently organised a school reunion attending by in excess of 150 students. Tim has positively influenced the lives of the students he has taught and we wish him well.
Sharon Black commenced her teaching career at Concord School in 2008 and has taught in both the Secondary and Primary areas of the school. Sharon is well known for forming positive relationships with students and inspiring them to reach their full potential. Sharon has supported the school on several committees and has overseen the Staff Association for many years. We thank Sharon very much and hope to see her doing casual relief teaching at our school in the future.
Sinead O’Donnell has delivered speech pathology to students at Concord School since 2018 in the Secondary 7/8 and Upper Primary sections. She has passed on her knowledge to students, teaching staff and her allied health colleagues. We wish Sinead all the best in the next stage of her career.
Kerrie Shepherd commenced at Concord School as a trainee and then began as an Education Support member in 2010. Kerrie has worked in the Secondary 7/8 and 9/10 areas and has a special ability to connect with teenagers and provide them with guidance. We wish Kerrie well as she retires from education and pursues her hobbies.
A special thank you also to Stephanie Pane, Kiara Thompson and Marlee Ward-Davies for their contributions to Concord School.
Congratulations to Lily Fisher
Lily is a year 9 student who recently won the Koorie Heritage Trust Award for her artwork titled ‘The New Beginning of Creation and Life’. This amazing artwork features the use of pencil and ink on paper.
Jason Coningsby
Principal