Principal's Report

As we come to the end of the Term, there is an enormous amount that is continuing to occur at our wonderful school. I am expecting that the Building Program will be completed by the beginning of Term 3 and that the fences that have graced the landscape will be removed and that areas will be open to students, staff and families. In the coming fortnight we expect the final touches to the four new classrooms, Office Administration area, Staffroom, Toilets and First Aid precinct will be completed.

We are aware of course that some reinstatement works will need to be made to our front garden beds and some replanting of our native flora. We look forward to engaging our parents and families with these reinstatements.

Earlier this week, we were delighted to witness the removal of the old music room. We are currently in negotiations with the Victorian School Building Authority as to the form this new area will take. Whilst I am highly aware of the financial restrictions imposed by the State Government, I am grateful that our builder has remained solvent and that the works will be completed consistent with original plans. This has been an extraordinary achievement in what is clearly becoming a financially difficult time for the Government of Victoria. Many of us will be aware of cost over runs in other sectors and sadly the events leading to the insolvency of other builders.

I am assured with great relief by the Directors of Prime Build Pty Ltd that they are not in such a calamity.

The following matters are of interest.

Staffing

Despite the chronic shortages of teachers throughout the State of Victoria, we continue to cover absences and leave arrangements at this time.

The following arrangements are in place. Currently, Mr Tim Clarke is on leave and will be returning to 4CM at the beginning of Term 3. Once this occurs, Mr Clarke will resume teaching duties on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesdays and Ms Sue Minshull will return to teaching 4CM on Thursdays and Fridays.

Currently, Mrs Catherine Townsend and Ms Rose Yodgee assume responsibility for 3DT. For Terms 3 and 4, Ms Yodgee will assume responsibility for the class on Mondays and Fridays and Mrs Catherine Townsend will do likewise on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. 

Additionally, Ms Kirstie Briggs is being replaced by Ms Shaunagh O’Connor in P/1B. We are delighted that we have been able to secure the services of Ms O’Connor until the end of this Term. We look forwarding to Ms Briggs returning at the beginning of Term 3.

The management of human resources in Victorian Education continues to be complex and ever changing. This is of course consistent with the entitlements of other employees in other industries. The shortage of people seeking full-time employment is not only the problem of the teaching profession. Please be aware that the employment of part-time teachers is becoming increasingly common in the Independent, Catholic and Government sectors consistent with other industries. Whilst this does create some challenges in our sector, it also creates for wonderful diversity and opportunities.

At Chatham, I am pleased to advise that the positive collaboration and co-operation between all staff enables effective changeovers and integrity of class programs. Often when I conduct tours, prospective parents are keen to establish the extent to which teachers have remained at the school, the plans for the current leadership and the relative turnover of teachers. I am always delighted to advise that our teachers are employed in an ongoing manner, and in many cases have been here for between three and twenty years. The stability, order and calm this creates within a school culture cannot be taken for granted at these times. 

Duty of Care and Supervision

Please be aware that the duty of care and supervision of students is of paramount concern in our school. There are a number of matters of interest at this time. 

Given the imposing nature of temporary fences and the potential for blind-sided areas, yard supervision has been changed in places. Currently, during recess and lunch times a staff member is on duty at the front of the school, asphalt areas and the grassed oval area at the northern side of the buildings. Nevertheless, I have decided that there are new areas where student access at this time will be prohibited. This is made clear to students via the use of hazard bollards and regular instructions to individual classes. We will continue to monitor these issues carefully in the coming Term.

Kiss and Drop Zone – Banool Road

Please be aware that parking in these areas is purely for the purpose of dropping off your child and/or collecting them. We continue of course to remind our trades personnel that cars are not to be parked in the vicinity at key times. It has been expressed to me on several occasions that some parents have parked their car in these locations for an extended period. This is particularly dangerous as other parents are inclined to double park, holding up the traffic and letting their children alight from a vehicle in front of others. I understand the Bylaw officers from the City of Boroondara will be in attendance on an intermittent basis in the coming weeks to assist us in remembering parking restrictions.

Children Arriving Before School

Please be advised that no student should be in the school grounds before 8:45am unless they are accompanied by a parent. It is incumbent on me as Principal to advise that the Department of Education and Training provides no duty of care before this time. Some parents will have received a letter from me this week indicating my concerns about the safety and welfare of their children. Additionally, the building contractors manage their arrangements expecting that no child is on the premises before 8:45am. Parents are advised that if they need to have their children supervised before 8:45am, they need to attend our Out of School Hours Care program. This is operated by TeamKids from 6:30am.

Please be aware that these arrangements also apply after 3:45pm.

Preparatory Transition for 2024

Please be advised that parents seeking to enrol their children for 2024 are strongly encouraged to enrol by Friday 28th July. Please note that we will not be imposing our highly restrictive enrolment zone for 2024. Now the Building Program is nearing completion, we are able to accommodate further students and enable those families who would like to attend Chatham Primary School beyond our area, to do so. I expect that we will make formal changes to the boundary, following directions from Senior Officers from the Department of Education and Training. I expect that these changes will be formalised in early 2024. Already I am getting interest for 2025 and 2026 enrolments. 

At the time of writing we are anticipating a visit by the Kindergarten Teacher from Explorers in Stanley Terrace, Surrey Hills. It is becoming very apparent to us that the changes in Childcare and Kindergarten arrangements is resulting in our students coming from a wide range of sources. In recent times we have made many of these centres aware of our school and its programs.

Chatham School Fair

We are delighted that our Fundraising Committee and School Council have endorsed the provision of a School Fair for Saturday 25th November. These are always extraordinary events that bring life, fun, creativity, camaraderie and connectivity to those who live in the Chatham precinct and beyond. We expect that this event will be no less than others and will provide extraordinary experiences and funds for our school community. It is anticipated that each class, along with the support of our Class Representatives will implement a stall for this event. Attached to this Newsletter is information to generate our interest and enthusiasm. 

Our Burgeoning Curriculum Provision at Chatham

I am delighted to advise that in the coming Term we have all manner of events planned on our calendar. These involve the provision of International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) testing in Mathematics and Science; the Australian Mathematics Competition for Years 3-6; Mathematics Week; Science Week; an excursion to Rippon Lea; House and District Athletics; Basketball Round Robins and a myriad of other enriching opportunities.

I am delighted with Mr Rampant’s enthusiasm for a new Chatham initiative: Music Week. Together with our Music Captains, our students, staff and external providers, we are planning all manner of events for the week beginning 7th August. We look forward to more information in early Term 3. 

It is becoming apparent that many of these extra-curricular and enriching experiences are becoming less common in schools. I am delighted that Chatham is operating against the tide and that my staff are exerting such wonderful enthusiasm for such marvellous opportunities for our students.

Pyjama Day – Tuesday 6th June

This was a wonderful experience undertaken and driven by our Junior School Council. Six Year 6 students comprise this group and together with our Assistant Principal, Ms Georgina Kirwan, plan all manner of fundraising events. On this occasion the students worked with Ms Kirwan to produce some novel Tiny Teddy Race Car treats and held a Teddy Bear Picnic with the whole school in the Hall. Through gold coin donations, they also raised funds for a Homelessness Project with the Salvation Army. The work in planning, scheduling and communicating such events, at the School Assembly and elsewhere, represents a valuable leadership experience for these students. Again, we congratulate our students on raising $330.00 for this valuable cause.

Mastery of Tables

We continue to be inspired by the individual efforts being made by our students to master their tables, and together with their teachers, employ a range of strategies to assist themselves in the process. It has certainly lifted our students to accept greater responsibility here and we so look forward to all students progressing over the remainder of 2023. Already we have a number of students even at Year 3 who are challenging themselves to find mastery in this area. As indicated the mastery of times tables and number facts is really 101 when it comes to developing multiplicative and high-order thinking in relation to numeration – for life.  A number of students will receive their laminated certificates on Monday at our School Assembly.

What wonderful progress we are making!

Christopher Cotching

Principal