News and appreciations this week:

... A huge thanks to the parents, staff and students who joined together with oodles of community spirit to support our successful annual twilight working bee last Thursday evening. Our major tasks were all completed most satisfactorily. We appreciate the sense of industry and community that managed the set jobs with speed and efficiency. Perhaps everyone was looking out for the post bee refreshments and a most magnificent pizza dinner?

A big vote of thanks to the following contributors: Dan Whiting, Jess, Dave & Owen Elliott, Alex Nikolovski, Josh & January Moore, Verna Kristy, Craig & Laiyla Mackenzie, Paul, Bec, Joshua & Zoe Gregg, Angela, Alex, Oscar & Louie Ashley-Chiew, Michele & Jack Mosca, Fletcher Bodman, Darren Bennett, Xavier & Madison Howe, Reuben, Gerald & Hugo Lovell, Madison Howe, Peter, Owen & Sophia Brownstein, Ruby Howe, Rebecca, Aiden & Hugo Alkan, Ava, Ruby, Nick & Emma Strybosch, Allegra Lees, Marcus & Murray Hildebrand, Mel & Lochie Shackell & Toby Cumming, Sharon Conners-Holliday, Tibor Kovacs, Paul, Lu & Bea Anders & Charlotte Henry, David, Adam & William Borg & Maggie Rybka, Richard & Katherine Tregear, Mick & Ella Knights, Brendan Millar, Tania, Alex & Scarlett Holmes, Tristan, Atticus, Eli & Romy Andrews, Natalie Lumsden & Michael Knights.

Music Concert Week – A very big appreciation is due to our Musical Futures and Soundgarage crews who have invested many hours this week, in addition to the efforts throughout the year. Our students have performed with evident preparation, enthusiasm, growing skill and knowledge. We appreciate that many families they have been frequent visitors to the Gecko this week, but we know from our experience that the short concert sessions work best for many. A long, hot and overcrowded concert event is an experience to be avoided! A very big appreciation to our Musical Futures teachers; David and John, brilliantly supported by Steve, who by this evening’s final performances will have been in attendance for all four days of rehearsals and all four performance nights, following their setting up on Sunday. A magnificent effort! Thanks to the Soundgarage team, led ably by Maddie and supported by John and Steve (again), Bec, Vernice and Gary who supported the Soundgarage students in their performances last night. I am very much looking forward to attending the final Soundgarage concerts this evening featuring our most experienced musicians.

On a negative note, we were disappointed that a number of grade 6 students did not attend their grade Musical Futures performance, nor in some cases extend the courtesy of informing their teacher of their planned absence. What a letdown to your peers. Neither mature, nor acceptable!

Sausage sizzle – Our chief organisers, the magnificent Maxena and loyal assistant David were in fine form on Tuesday during our final Sausage Sizzle fundraiser. There was a great crew of supporters on deck – we thank you for your generosity.

Maxena Fuller and David Fuller, Marcus Hildebrand (Murray 5KT), Greg Sully (Hamish 4SM & Stephen 5BC), David Elliott (Owen PAK), Mike Welsh (Lila 3ES & Ciaran 1TN), Misty Edmonds (Awhina 3JS, Tane PAC Wiremu 2JI), Verna Kristy (Amelia PAC), Lola Jules Weiss (Cassius Scanlon Jones 4SM), Peter Mitten (Harry 1HP), Nella Palmieri (Evalyn 1/2 AB), Sarah Griffioen (Timothy 4SM Joshua 2LE), Penny Stirling (Abigail 3HL, Harvey 1CW), Vanessa Campbell (Archer 1CW), Cindy Tran (Sienna 2LP), Danielle Milonas (Kiki 3HL), Sophie Andrews (Romy 1/2AB), Christine Porta (Sofia 6DJ), Vishal Chopra (Mrinal 4CL, Divyanga PAC)

We are delighted that a figure of $1,750.00 profit has been raised for our school’s needs.

Mufti day – Thanks to all families who supported the final graduation day mufti day also on Tuesday. We are pleased that $572 was raised. This enables us to afford hiring the fabulous Quin Auditorium at Caroline Chisholm College and additional costs. This crowd funding method ensures that every child can attend, along with their parents at no cost. This year the event will be held on the evening of the final Monday of the school year (16th December).

Helping Hoops – The Junior School Council has been keen to support local charities, Helping Hoops and Baz Against Violence, an initiative developed by former student, Brandon Rogers. As well as being a keen Bulldogs supporter, Baz has a big heart and has keenly worked with our JSC members and has been superbly supported by our JSC conveners; Joanna and Kimberley.

While not a mufti day, all students are encouraged to wear a favourite sporting top over their school clothing tomorrow and to bring a gold coin donation to support these charities.

Reports and Prep Learning Diaries – End of year student reports were printed yesterday and will be sent home with the children in envelopes addressed to parents. They of course should be opened by or with parent permission. Our prep students are now the only ones who develop hard copy learning diaries and they will also be sent home with the children tomorrow. Hard copy learning diaries of course are a wonderful keepsake of your child’s first year at school. Of course all parents of students in grades 1 to 6 should now be familiar with the online digital learning portfolios that students prepare to showcase their learning. They are available at all times and it is important that every child has the opportunity to share their learning at home with their family.

Orchard to Plate launch – With now 95 responses, the school will be buzzing from 4.00 pm tomorrow when the amazing Orchard to Plate publication is launched to a highly appreciative audience. Thank you so much Dianne MacDonald, Craig Newell, Karen Tan, Vicky Palmieri, Rike Clemens, Donita Richards, Emma Miller, Zoe Harris. Sophie Andrews, Sarah Griffioen, Magdalena Rybka, Kate Dee, Gwenyth Middleton, Emily Re, Claire Denby,

Candy Skinner, Dani Entwistle, Penny Stirling,

Megan Reeve, Michelle Brownstein, Nerissa Broben, Cindy Tuyet Lobo, Janita Suter

Shannon Giraldo Chisholm (Eatme soul foods), Laura, Judith Toussaint (grandma)

Verna Kristy, Eva, Brooke O'Donnell

Helen Barker, Kate Garcia and

Cleo Feurring.

Coming up … next week

Assembly – We will return to our split assembly model this week and it will be the 3/4 team’s turn to run their separate assembly in the Dingo gallery space. All swimmers who were awarded a Pupil of the Wee