Greetings from Shaun

Just like that, school is back, and we have come to the end of our first week together. 

It has been such a joy seeing students, parent’s carers and families reconnect with the school community again after the summer break. I still haven’t figured out if it went quickly or if it seemed like a long time! It has been the highlight of my week this week seeing all the familiar faces again, and some new ones, and I have enjoyed hearing everyone’s stories of the time spent with family, friends and loved ones and I have savoured hearing the happy memories shared.

As you will know, the teachers and staff had their first day back on Friday and were then back at it again on Monday for our first two curriculum days for the year. These two days were jam packed full of learning and getting organised, as well as the odd sharing of books read and tv shows watched! Teaching teams used the time to start planning 'get to know you' activities, learning sequences and excursions to extend the learning beyond the classroom and to help students make real life connections. 

An important part of our curriculum days together was our First Aid training, which covered a whole range of important topics, most importantly CPR and Anaphylaxis. Among the things that I learnt during first aid, whilst learning how to treat snake bites (a skill that I hope to never have to put into practice), was that the venom of juvenile snakes is more potent than the venom of an adult snake. A fact that is both interesting and terrifying at the same time. 

Hopefully by now you will have started to meet some of the new faces around the school, but just in case, our resident jack-of-all-trades Donna, has been trying her hand at photography. Please be sure to navigate to the tab labelled Meet the New Teams and New Staff Members. 

Prep Team

Natalie Dean

Isabelle Grossmith

Meg Garland 

Year One/Two

Sharif Slamet

Brigitte O’Neill

Stephanie Griffiths

Sam Gaudion 

Year Three/Four

Matthew Atanasovski

Lisa Engelander / Sarah Santaera

Eleanor Yewers

Jamal Clarke

Year Five/Six

Steven Bruce

Izzy Phillpotts

Olivia Gibson

Luke Reid 

Specialist

Anita Hillman (Music)

Dale McLean (PE)

Amy Murray (Art)

Rosa Paladino (Italian)

Meagan Porter (Tutor)

Office/Education Support

Shaun Wells (Principal)

Bale Micovski (Assistant Principal)

Rebecca Garrow (Leading Teacher)

Caterina Carnovale (Business Manager)

Bridgette McCoy (Admin)

Donna Cassidy (Admin)

Susi Allender (Library)

Carol Gwatking (ES)

Welcome Picnic- Save the date

While we are still finalising the details, I can confirm that the Welcome Picnic is scheduled for Wednesday the 15th of February from 5pm-7pm on the top turf. There will be a sausage sizzle for a gold coin donation and of course you are welcome to BYO picnic as well. 

Meet the teacher conferences- Save the date

While you have your diaries out, please make sure you save the date for our Meet the Teacher Conferences which are going to be held on Tuesday 21st of February. Please note that there will be an early dismissal to allow teachers to meet with Parents and carers. Stay tuned for more information shortly. 

Kelly Sports, Chess Club and Music Tutor

Thank-you to those people who have reached out in advocacy for the extra-curricular programs at Northcote PS and who have articulated so beautifully the added value they provide to our students learning. I just wanted to give you all a quick update on where we are at with the process. We are currently working through organising meetings with the various stakeholders and organising contracts and new agreements. I sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and worry their absence has caused some families in the short term. I just want to reassure you that we are working very hard to ensure that the arrangements for these programs meet all the education department’s regulations and ChildSafe Standard requirements with the hope to have them back up and running as soon as possible.

Finally, an open invitation to our first assembly for the year on Monday at 9:10am. Drop the kids off and then hang around for our assembly. At the assembly, we will introduce new staff and celebrate our first whole school gathering! Please note that we won’t be presenting any pupil of the week certificates this week.