Principal's Report 

Dear Parents, 

Thank you once again for all your cooperation and understanding as we moved in and out of remote learning once again, and now into staggered finishing. It says a lot about the resilience of a school community when so many people can  support each other and work towards a common goal.  So on behalf of the staff, thank you to the parents and many care-givers for your efforts over the past few weeks. 

Although only August, planning for 2022 is now well underway and a very important part of that planning involves knowing how many students will be here at school, in particular in grade prep. If you, or someone you know, will be enrolling a child for next year, please come to the office and collect enrolment forms as soon as possible. We would dearly love all of next year's students enrolled well before the end of this term to enable our planning to be as accurate as possible. It is important for the children also because our first transition session will be held on September 2nd as part of our Book Week celebrations. 

If COVID restrictions allow, those families who have lodged their forms are invited to bring their 2022 prep child to school from 9:30-11:00am for their first transition session centred on Book Week activities. The children are welcome to dress as their favourite book character as they have books read to them, complete art and craft activities and leave with a present from the school. If you would like your child to attend, please be sure to have your enrolment forms in prior to the date. 

Recently an invitation was sent to parents seeking feedback and input into our camping program for 2022 onwards.  To date approximately 40 families have responded which is wonderful.  If you haven't had the chance as yet, please use this link and let us know your thoughts.  School council will use this information to help update our Camping Policy and camping programs.  

Separately, our 2021 camp is planned for later this term with COVID restrictions to date not affecting it from going ahead. Fingers crossed this remains the same, however please always consider the possibility it may change, even at the last minute.  Until we hear otherwise, we shall plan and proceed anticipating it will go ahead as planned. 

Last but certainly not least, on Thursday we said goodbye to a long serving staff member of Mackellar in Diana Darmanin. Words alone cannot express the gratitude we have for all that Diana has given to the students and community of Mackellar Primary School.  Diana has taken up a new role at Sunbury Primary School which I am sure will challenge her already very strong skill-set, and allow her to continue to grow and learn as we all must.  On behalf of the entire school community, past and present we thank Diana and wish her well. It is certainly our loss and Sunbury Primary School's gain. 

 In her absence we congratulate and welcome Tanya Gibbons and Andrea Guglielmino to the Program for Students with a Disability (PSD) Coordinator role as shared coordinators, with our Assistant Principal Anthony Michielin leading the program overall. 

Kind Regards, 

Simon McGlade

Principal