From the Principal
Farewell 2019
As we farewell Term Four 2019 it is satisfying to reflect on some of the highlights of the year.
Without doubt, having Natalie Jensen full-time at Arlington in the role of Head of Campus this year has been wonderful. She has been an inspiration for the teachers, her impact clearly discernible in the calm and focused atmosphere observable in every classroom. Natalie’s style of leadership is to support teacher autonomy and confidence. Her warmth and love is felt by the children, who are always her first priority, as well as parents and her colleagues.
Natalie has taken a key role in guiding the Primary School to achieve PYP authorisation, supporting Cressida Batterham-Wilson and sharing the load at each stage. She has taken charge of so many improvements and innovations around the Arlington campus, ensuring that it really is a world for children to play, explore and learn.
Having undertaken IB training and taught at all levels of the School, Natalie has developed an exceptional set of professional networks across the IB community, raising the Preshil profile and acting as an inspiration and a resource for teachers in other schools.
In 2020 Natalie has the opportunity for some travel and adventures with her family overseas. She is committed to carrying out research in other progressive schools and continuing her insatiable curiosity for learning.
She will return to Preshil for the 2021 year, no doubt bursting with energy and renewed enthusiasm for her role here. We will miss her terribly, but will have plenty of opportunity to follow her and keep in touch.
2019 has also been memorable for the revitalisation of The Fives. Transformed into the Lighthouse, the sadly neglected and quietly disintegrating space has been rebuilt and restored to its original, modernist splendor, actually stronger than the original structure.
Having a full class of five-year-olds this year has breathed new life into the whole area and, with a new sandpit, new kitchen gardens and restored play areas it is a great source of energy for the Arlington community.
This year has also been wonderful to see the regeneration of The Pines area into a functioning Bush School and Kindergarten. Taking advantage of our own small area of ‘bushland’ has offered ongoing, brilliant opportunities for all manner of learning, from animal habitats, to bush crafts, cooking and sustainable practices. How lucky we are to have this enduring gift of undeveloped land; amid all the affluent development of fine homes it is a real treasure.
I have already mentioned the great achievement of having a fully authorized IB Primary Years Programme. Cressida has spearheaded the implementation of the PYP, while fiercely guarding the unique core elements that have distinguished Preshil across its nearly 90 years of operation. In fact, it was the special characteristics of Arlington’s culture and traditions that stood out and were particularly commended by our IB assessors.
2019 has also seen steady growth in our enrolments. We have been delighted to welcome many new families to Arlington and now have waiting lists across a number of year levels. We will start the year with over one hundred children in the Primary School and anticipate continued growth which will be capped to ensure we maintain our small school where every child is known and cherished.
Next year will see a major expansion of the Kindergarten with a very exciting opportunity to rejuvenate the landscaping and outdoor play areas for our youngest children. The Kindergarten programme will be embraced within the PYP, enhancing the opportunities for rich conceptual learning and inquiry. The highly innovative “Playworlds”, developed at Preshil by Rebecca Lewis, will continue to underpin the Early Years.
I am looking forward, in a year's time, to reflect on all that will have been achieved in 2020. I’m confident that our outstanding teachers will flourish with the chance to continue their collegiate growth in the IB, as they take the opportunities Preshil offers us all to try new things, listen to the children and celebrate the incredible learning that takes place every day.
Thank you to all Arlington families for your enduring support of our much loved school.
Marilyn Smith
Principal