Principal's Report

As we move into the colder weather, I am hopeful that all of our families remain healthy and free from sickness. The recent break would have been a wonderful opportunity for my staff to gain a needed break and for all involved to be prepared and energised for the weeks ahead.

As I write this newsletter, we are in the final stages of the Building Works with considerable finishing off and a multitude of final enhancements being made to the works. Once the new toilets are accessible, we look forward to the portable toilets being removed. I would hope that by the beginning of Week 3, we will be in a position for our Year 5 & 6 students to enter the new classrooms. At this stage we are still awaiting some furniture back orders and deliveries to finish this space and that of other areas. We would hope that during our Chatham Music Week commencing 7th August, we will be in a position to provide an opportunity for our families to visit the new areas. More information will follow about these arrangements.

Please continue to access the Chatham website calendar. It continues to be updated on a regular basis and is confirmation of matters proceeding. This coming Term is exceptionally engaging and we are providing so much both within the school day, but also at other times.

The following matters are of interest.

Access to the School between 9:00am – 3:30pm

Please be advised that between the hours of 9:00am to 3:30pm all access to the school is through the main gates in Weybridge Street. Parents, volunteers and visitors are then requested to proceed to the main entrance where they will meet with office staff. Those requiring access to classes and other areas of the school will then sign-in and proceed to those areas. Upon leaving the school the exit will also be through the main doors and Weybridge Street gates. These arrangements are consistent with security and Child Safe standards and requirements.

Staffing

I am pleased to advise that our staff returned as expected for the beginning of Term 3. We welcomed back Mr Tim Clarke who returned from long service leave to assume responsibility for Year 4CM on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Ms Sue Minshull will resume responsibility for this class on Thursdays and Fridays.

Please be advised that Ms Lisa Gilbert will be on personal leave for Term 3. I am pleased to advise that Ms Edwina Aikman will join us in providing Physical Education on Mondays and Tuesdays in Term 3. Ms Aikman is on placement at Chatham Primary School and will be performing a number of roles across the school. Ms Aikman is working closely with my Assistant Principal and myself to gain valuable experience in preparation for senior leadership roles into the future at similar schools. We look forward to her involvement and contributions in the life of the school.

We are also delighted that a number of staff returned from personal leave during the last few days including Ms Sarah Medland, Ms Anita Buccieri and Ms Kirstie Briggs. I am pleased to advise further that Mr Rafael Fernandez returned on Monday 17th July.

Chatham Student Enrolment Zones

Last Friday I met with senior officers of the Department of Education and Training to discuss our enrolment zone and the need for this to be now extended, given the new facilities in the school and our capacities to grow and comfortably accommodate new students into the future. Usually, such considerations are made by the Department of Education and Training in November of any year. Please be advised that for 2024 and 2025 we will be taking students beyond our immediate and current enrolment zone.

Importantly we would ask that parents who are seeking to enrol their children for 2024 at Preparatory, please do so in order that we can make the necessary arrangements and plan for the times ahead.

Rotary Primary School Speech Competition – Year 6

Confidence, poise and presentation in relation to public speaking has been a key priority for students at Chatham for many years. This is particularly the case for students in Year 6 who get numerous and ongoing opportunities to hone and develop their skills in this area. Currently our Year 6 students are preparing for this wonderful opportunity. All students in Year 6 will be given the opportunity to prepare for this competition, however only two are able to participate in the final against other Boroondara schools. The topics for 2023 are many and varied, and our students will be making their choices in the coming days.

Last year our Year 6 students achieved the First and Second Placing in the competition, respectively. We were further delighted to establish that our student who obtained a first placing won the Year 7 competition at Scotch College in 2023.

At Year 5 during Terms 3 and 4 our students excel with such experiences as the Day of the Notables and Speaking with Confidence Program. These opportunities prepare them further for a range of such opportunities in Year 6.

NAPLAN Reporting – Years 3 & 5

We are expecting that from Monday 17th July all schools will receive a hard copy of each student’s NAPLAN results for the testing conducted in March 2023. This year, the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) has introduced new standards to NAPLAN reporting. Four proficiency standards will replace the ten previous numerical bands and national minimum standards used in previous years' reporting. The following details are provided by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority:

• Exceeding: the student’s results exceed expectations at the time of testing.
• Strong: the student’s result meets challenging but reasonable expectations at the time of testing.
• Developing: the student’s result indicates that they are working towards expectations at the time of testing.
• Needs additional support: the student’s result indicates that they are not achieving the learning outcomes expected at the time of testing. They are likely to need additional support to progress satisfactorily. It will be the clear responsibility of the schools to ensure these students are provided with the additional support needed to progress satisfactorily, informed by NAPLAN results, other school-based assessment data and teachers’ knowledge of these students.

Again, together with our teaching staff we look forward to reviewing each student’s report once they become available. It is worth noting that the expected national standards for Year 3, 5, 7 & 9 will be raised from the standards previously expected in all areas of English and Mathematics. This will then have a relative bearing on the NAPLAN results for all students.

Visual Arts at Chatham

Anyone visiting our Visual Arts Centre will be in awe of what Mrs Jess Wilson is producing with our students in this extraordinary area. Below are photos of some of the creature eye sculptures that have been created recently by our Year 6 students. These are on display in our new area. We look forward to the extraordinary work and expressions that are evolving from this wonderful facility in the months ahead.

Planting Day – Saturday 22nd July 2023

It was wonderful and most motivating to see the Wicker Crates arrive during the vacation for our Kitchen Garden. We are also delighted that some local families whose students have proceeded to secondary school have also donated some smaller wicker crates. 

Recently you will have received information about a planting of these wicker crates to occur on Saturday 22nd July. Please sign-up for this experience so that we can plan and ensure the day is an abundant success. On Wednesday 12th July each class was provided with a number of seeds to plant in readiness for this experience. On 22nd July we will be also joined by Ms Jessica Wilson, the State Member for Kew to enjoy a BBQ lunch in our new Kitchen Garden area. Please refer to the flyer in the newsletter.

Parents are welcome to attend at any time however the first planting is scheduled for 11.00am with a second session planned for 1.00pm. Ms Miranda Talbot and others have arranged for many tub stock and other plants to be delivered today in readiness for this marvellous experience.

Earlier this week our students from Preparatory to Year 6 were invited to enter a colouring competition to promote this event and remind families that Sunday 23rd July is National Tree Day. These entries were collected from each class this morning and the winners at each level will be announced at our School Assembly on Monday 24th July.

Chatham Fair – Saturday 25th November

When we announced on Monday at our School Assembly that we were to have a Fair later in the year there was overwhelming excitement and euphoria. Recently, I met with Kristy Mcilvenna and Kate Ripon who are organising and leading this extraordinary experience. Over the coming weeks and months, you will hear increasingly more about what is planned here.

Currently each class is preparing a hamper for the silent auction at the School Fair. In the coming weeks we will share the role being performed by each class in this regard and with the assistance of class teachers and class representatives,progress our wonderful plans.

Canteen – Term 3

We have been delighted that our school provides its own Canteen and menu. It continues to provide marvellous support to students and their parents. Nevertheless, we do require ongoing volunteer assistance to make this possible. Next week you will receive a further invite to volunteer for our Canteen. Your children love nothing more than to see Mum or Dad in the Canteen. Again, I convey our appreciation of the parents who have assisted in this regard and continue to promote our school Canteen in the school community.

School Assemblies and Awards

We are delighted with the number of parents and extended family members who now attend our school assemblies. Wherever possible, we like to try and email parents of students getting an award on the Friday before, so they can attend if indeed possible. Your involvement here creates an important audience for our students, who continue to develop their confidence with public speaking and related organisational skills.

Year 3 Students

Our Year 3 students take a positive role in the distribution of general waste bins and collection and distribution of recycling paper. Last week they did an exceptional job in assessing our challenges here and it has a wonderful impact on us all as we take care and pride in our school and its facilities. Well done!

State Finals Cross-Country

We congratulate Ella Holland who recently achieved a 16th placing in the State Final in a field of 84 competitors. The event was held in an area adjoining the Yarra Glen Racecourse on Thursday 13th July 2023. This was a magnificent event, and we congratulate Ella on an exceptional achievement.

Christopher Cotching

Principal