Acting Head of Arlington Campus
Fireside Chats
A long tradition at Arlington are the Fireside Chats. They are an evening for our parents to visit their child's class and to hear from the teaching team who shares their vision and intentions for the year ahead. For our staff they represent an opportunity to share the wonderful creativity and imagination that teaching encompasses.
It was terrific to see so many families attend and, along with our specialist teachers, Marilyn and I had the pleasure of dropping in and visiting with each of these Fireside Chats. As mentioned, the door to "The Laundry" is always open for families to find me for a chat, and Marilyn extended the same invitation to be in touch.
Prep Tour
We are delighted to be offering a special tour of Arlington tomorrow which will focus on the transition from kindergarten into the first year of school. This tour is open for families in our kindergarten who have children moving into the Lighthouse, and open to families who have children in community kindergartens who are interested in beginning their school journey with us here at Preshil.
Parent Representatives
The role of Parent Reps is a joyful one.
We meet together, over a cuppa and a biscuit, once each term to talk about the ways in which our parent community can support the broader school community. Parent Reps have been instrumental in welcoming new families to the school, creating and sharing the class contact lists, organising informal gatherings, and rallying the troops for the occasional Working Bee or
school event such as the Welcome Picnic or Winter Solstice.
Parent Reps may also be involved with the organisation of our termly Doo Dah, and may attend on the day to serve the food or to turn a sausage on the BBQ.
We have already had many parents sign up to become Parent Reps and would like to warmly invite parents in the Loft Room who would like to be involved to sign up by emailing me at cressida.batterham-wilson@preshil.vic.edu.au
After School Play
It is always delightful to see families coming together at the end of the day to catch up with their children and each other. It is important that once you have arrived to collect your child(ren), that they are in your care, and that parents and guardians are closely supporting their children in their play, as sometimes there have been incidents which need to be managed more closely by parents.
Cross-Campus Opportunities
As Heads of Campus, Daniel Symons and I look for opportunities for the children at Arlington to spend time at Blackhall Kalimna, and for the students from "the big school" to come back to Arlington. Sometimes these opportunities present themselves, as is the case with our Preshil Panthers netball team.
Founded in 2019 by the students in the 10s & 11s, the team is in their second season with the Richmond Netball Association playing in the under 13s league. Made up of students from the 11s and Year 7, and coached by students in their final year of the IB Diploma, they truly represent "One school, two campuses".
GO PANTHERS!
Parent Teacher Check-Ins
With a new year can come new relationships, and early in March we will be offering Parent Teacher Check-Ins to all families at Arlington. These meetings are an opportunity for our teachers to share their observations, and for families to share their story. Bookings for these will be made through Compass, and further information will be sent to families in the next week.
Cressida Batterham-Wilson
Acting Head of Arlington Campus