From the Principal 

Dear Parents and Caregivers, Konnichiwa!

End of the 2018 school year

What a truly outstanding year of progress and learning it has been here at Grange Primary School. The learning of our students and teaching of our teachers has been showcased as examples of excellence at 

• National conferences (Mathematics)
• State and partnership events (Writing)
• International websites (Writing)
• City of Charles Sturt Mayoral Make a Book competition (Writing)

Our students have excelled in academic and sporting competitions and our results continue to be above State and National averages and benchmarks in NAPLaN, Progressive Achievement Testing and Running Records. Some of which are the highest level of achievement ever. Outstanding results.

This progress has not been possible without a close partnership between students, parents and school staff. The Governing Council have worked hard in supporting and enabling this collaboration and strong focus on learning and improvement. So a huge thankyou to all Governing Council members for their commitment and great support to me in leadership of the school. Rob Lustri has been an outstanding Governing Council chairperson and leader, as have the members of Executive and leaders of each of the subcommittees.

Another very important part of our school is the Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) program. Over the past four years OSHC has grown in student numbers at before/after school and vacation care time. In some cases numbers have tripled. This growth has been because of the high regard and trust families have for a program that is of the most outstanding quality. The OSHC Director, Jasminka Huskic and Assistant Director, Elda Galios have led this growth through their exceptional leadership that is supported by great, caring and enthusiastic staff.   

The canteen has also grown through building high credibility with families for the friendly staff and volunteers and diversity of foods. Thanks to Jo Owen for her wonderful work as our canteen manager and her team of helpers.

Thankyou to the many volunteers that have supported across the year in helping out with sport, hearing reading, in class support, at camps and excursions and across numerous other initiatives in the school.

Our teachers have done an incredible job in enabling and supporting our students through intentional and differentiated teaching that enables each student to be the best they can be in their learning. Our support staff are amazing, friendly, welcoming and able to engage and support students individually and small groups. Office and administration staff as the centre or hub of the school enable things to run so efficiently and most importantly are always welcoming, friendly and supportive. The front office as the first port of call for anyone new to the school instantly demonstrates what the school stands for and shows the school values of showing respect, giving best effort and being kind every minute of every day. This happens exceptionally well at Grange and I think you would be hard pressed to find a more welcoming and supportive front office team.

Lastly our exceptional leaders in our school, our three senior leaders and business manager who lead, inspire, support and enable all around them to excel.

This collective work of students, staff, parents and community is truly outstanding. It is however one where we will strive to continually improve. 

In 2019 this is further strengthened by employing three new Coordinator Leadership coaching positions in Literacy, Mathematics and Technology.

Through the investment in a coaching model and intensive support for every teacher in developing the quality and consistency of teaching in literacy, mathematics and technology we will develop even more students that are highly confident, capable and high achieving  that are the very best they can be.

There are very exciting times ahead at Grange Primary School in enabling us to move from a good and great school to one that is consistently outstanding and recognised as one of the best in Australia.

The end of the year also is a time when we farewell some staff and welcome others. 

Thankyou to

• Bryan Birchall
• Lia Taylor
• Chris Peters
• Cath McPhillips

for their hard work in their time at Grange and we wish them well for the future.

We welcome new and returning teachers and leaders to Grange in 2019

• Hayley Gladigau- year 1 teacher
• Daniel Moyle- year 5/6 teacher
• Jasmine Pearce- year 6 teacher
• Rebecca Lokan- year 3 teacher and Literacy coach
• Maureen Hegarty- Mathematics coach

Attached is the full staff list for 2019.

On Monday night an outstanding year 7 graduation was held where we farewelled our year seven graduates. Our year sevens spoke exceptionally well with Jake giving an inspirational valedictory speech on behalf of the year sevens. Jett opened the night with two amazing songs and Danija choreographed an excellent dance by all year sevens. Our MC’s for the night were Jackson, Garima, Zoe, Grayson, Eva and Ethan. Congratulations on the excellent job you did in leading the night.

We also farewell students in other year levels that are moving to other schools.  All the best for your futures ahead to all students, families and staff leaving Grange at the end of this year. 

I look forward to working with those of you at Grange in 2019 and continuing the wonderful journey of progress and high achievement we are making.

Have a wonderful Christmas and holiday break

Regards, Grant

Grant Small, Principal

Grange Primary School