A word from the Principal

Mrs Danielle Heatley

We are almost half way through Term One!! 

The staff and I are very proud of our students and that feeling of pride continues as our students demonstrate kindness, personal excellence and tenacity in their everyday actions and learning.  It's been a terrific start to the year and I look forward to everything that is coming our way throughout 2023 as we continue to grow and enhance our school. 

Welcome 2023 School Council 

I was very pleased to announce the members of the 2023 School Council earlier this week. They are: 

Parent members

Serryn Bryant, David Latham , Betty Kouskousis 

Luke Michael, Tony Khouri, John Savinos, Tammy Culpitt, Tanya Au, Sarah Elliott, Tracey Collins

Staff members Robyn Harris, Ben McFarlin, Simone Vitas, Ashley Kuusela and myself. 

We also welcome Suzanne Baxter each month as a visitor.  Our first meeting will involve nominations for School Council President and office bearers which I will communicate to the community when finalised. 

Thankyou

A huge thankyou to Robyn, Anthony, Mitchell and Emily Howard for their work in creating another Karoo Hut that was used for the Wellington Village Christmas Display last year. This has now made its way to the Foundation playground and the students and staff thoroughly appreciate you coming in over the weekend to install the hut. I have seen Pizza shops, pet shops and lots of imaginative play going on! 

Pupil Free Day - Friday 10th March

This Friday we are holding our 2nd pupil free day and hopefully your family is able to enjoy the extra long weekend!   The staff will be focused on learning more about the Science of Reading and how to enhance the teaching of Reading in every classroom.  Our amazing Educational Support staff will be participating in Cued Articulation training which supports our structured literacy approach across the classrooms. 

Respectful Behaviours

Parents and carers, students and staff all share responsibility for ensuring that Karoo is a positive, respectful and safe school environment. Adults have a particular responsibility to be mindful of the way in which we conduct ourselves in and around the school, noting that we are the role models that impressionable students look to. 

I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you who contribute to the positivity of our school community each and every week. Though I cannot thank each of you individually, I wish to assure you that your efforts do not go unnoticed.  Some of these ways are through the number of parents who came to our Reading presentation to support in classrooms,  along with the largest number or parents at the KPA meeting and the expressions of interest to be part of School Council.  All of this supports the school which in turn supports your children and upholds our Statement of Values (see attached). 

 This is also an opportune time for me to emphasise that my door is always open to discuss any concerns you may have, simply contact the front office to schedule an appointment. There is an appropriate avenue to raise any grievances, concerns or constructive criticism. It saddens me when I hear of efforts to undermine our positive school culture by way of inaccurate or disparaging comments on social media or gossip, rather than addressing concerns with school staff directly. Thankfully, such instances are very rare. I want to express my sincere appreciation for the cooperation and effort put forth by the parents and carers of Karoo. 

Pitter Patter of tiny feet...

We are very excited to let you all know that the pitter patter of little feet will be expanding our Karoo family later this year. Ashley Kuusela and her partner Ryan are thrilled to be expecting their first child in August.  Ashley will be taking some maternity time from early term 3 and there will be an Acting Assistant Principal during this time.  I will provide further updates later in Term 2 about this appointment. Congratulations Ashley and Ryan! 

 

I hope you all have a wonderful week and enjoy the extra long weekend, 

 

Danielle Heatley

Principal