From the Principal

A message from the Principal

Welcome to the start of another school year which we hope will be a rewarding year for everyone in our school community.

We welcome your presence at school, and encourage you to be active partners in the education of your children. We particularly welcome our new families, 5 new staff members, 67 new Prep children as well as 8 new students throughout the school.

As we start a new year together, there are many who are new and many who will experience something that is new. This could be new roles, being in a new place or being challenged by new perspectives. A new year brings with it new opportunities, new friendships, new colleagues, new beginnings, enhanced with the warmth of welcome and hospitality. Each of us is called to be open in both mind and spirit to the endless possibilities ahead. I wish everyone all the best for the new school year and invite you to look for ways to support your children and our school team. Thank you to the staff of Queen of Peace for their preparation, ensuring that the start of the year has been such a smooth and a welcoming experience for the families and students.

We wish you many happy memories ahead for your children's time at Queen of Peace and we look forward to working in partnership with you in educating your children. It is our strong desire to help your children thrive, not just academically but socially, emotionally and spiritually as well.

New Staff 2019

Michael Ozbun - Deputy Principal

and new teaching staff:

Lauren Middlebrook (Grade 1)

Lisa Vella (Grade 6)

McCabe Craig (Grade 4)

Patrick Craig (Grade 6)

We also welcome back from maternity leave Lisa-Marie Fiorenza (5C) and Nicole Walsh (2A)

We warmly welcome you all to Queen of Peace.

I am pleased to announce the POL positions for 2019;

Joanne Pearce - Director Learning & Teaching
Rose Gusman - Director of Students - Students with Additional Learning Needs
Rita Arrigo - Literacy Leader
Belinda Bartolo - Family Engagement
Karen Currie - Senior Level Leader
Melissa Evgeniadis - Diversity
Suzanne Gracias - Religious Education
Josie Kirby - Maths Leader
Cameron Menadue - ICT Leader
Marisa Te - Wellbeing Leader
Jessica Torchia - Junior Level Leader

Congratulations to Karen, Jessica and Cameron on their new appointments for the 2019 school year.

Building update

Stage 1A of our building project has begun and involves the construction of a new administration wing and front entry to the school, next to the school Hall. This development will provide a new “Front of House” welcoming administration area with adequate space and provision for all offices, meeting spaces, first aid, wellbeing area and a staff room. This stage of the project is scheduled to be completed at the end of term 2.

Stage 1B will see the re-purposing of our existing administration area to create new resource space. This should commence in July followed by the refurbishment of the existing 3-4 and Prep learning spaces. The project also includes external works, services, soft and hard landscaping as well as the provision of external outdoor learning and play spaces. We have included some perspectives of the project below. Our goal during this refurbishment is to ensure minimal disruption to student learning and maintain the high standards of education we strive to achieve each day.

New Administration Building

Outdoor Student Hub

Prep Learning Centre

Learning Centre

Covered Outdoor Learning Space

Car Park 2019

Due to construction works we have a new procedure for Drop off and Pick up. Please read the Car Park rules carefully.

BEFORE SCHOOL

There are three options for delivering children to school in the morning:

Option one: Park outside the school grounds and walk your child into school. The gate near the senior playground, east side of school, will be open from 8:30am and closed at 8:50am. Parents can park at the skatepark and after a short walk use this gate.

Option two: Use the Blue zone outside the school on Everingham Road. This is a drop off zone only, you are not permitted to be more than 3 metres from your car and stopped no longer than 2 minutes.

Option three: Use the New Drop Off Zone, in front of the Parish office. This is a drive through zone that allows you to drop off the children into a safe pedestrian area and continue to drive out of the property. Drivers are not allowed out of the car at any time. Children should have their bags on their laps ready to disembark quickly. To access the Drop Off Zone, drive into the school car park from the church end (small gate) and do an immediate right hand turn. A staff member will be at the crossing each morning from 8.30am to assist children and families to cross the Drop Off Lane

AFTER SCHOOL

Due to safety concerns the school car park will be closed from 2:45 – 3:15pm on Mondays and 3:20 – 3:45pm Tuesday – Friday. You must park outside the school grounds and pick up your child either from the classroom or ask your child to meet you at a designated spot. The gate near the senior playground, east side of school will be open from 3pm on Monday and 3:30pm Tuesday to Friday. This gate will be closed 10 minutes after the last bell. Parents can park at the skatepark.

KOWHAI CLOSE

Families who are dropping off or picking up children via the gate near Kowhai Close are not to drive and park in this street. This rule has come about due to:

(a) The lack of a safe area to turn a vehicle.

(b) The lack of footpaths – children usually walk on the road.

(d) Courtesy to our neighbours.

Warm regards

Darren Gibbons - Principal