From the Principal 

2016 STAFFING

Our staffing plans for 2016 and class structures are now complete. A number of staff are leaving us, and we have made new appointments who will bring experience and skill to our school.

FAREWELL

Congratulations to Elaine Atley, who was looking for a move to regional Victoria, and has been appointed to a teaching position at Moama Anglican Grammar School. Elaine has undertaken significant leadership roles during her time at Murrumbeena. Her new school will benefit from her knowledge and we will miss her.  

Congratulations to Shane Long who has been appointed to Frankston Heights Primary School, a move closer to home. Shane has been with us for two years and has been dedicated to inspiring our students in the ICT area.

Kate Lally, also wishing to move closer to home, has been appointed to Mickleham Primary School to lead the senior school. Kate has shared her wealth of experience in Years 5/6 at Murrumbeena over the past 5 years and has much to offer her new school.

Congratulations to Melissa Reekie, who will be getting married in January, and then taking a year’s leave to travel and teach in South America.  Melissa is planning to return in 2017.

Congratulations to Jessica Dubyna and Melanie Short who will both be taking maternity leave.

We are sad to farewell Casey Crompton who is moving back to Queensland with her partner. Casey has been with us for three years, firstly as a casual relief teacher, then a highly valued staff member in Year 5/6 and Year 1. 

Jenny Solomon, who has been on long service leave for the second half of the year, is retiring at the commencement of term 1.  Jenny’s teaching career at  Murrumbeena spanned 25 years. She was both a class and specialist teacher, but her passion was in the art room where she taught for many years. We wish her well in her retirement.

WELCOME

Next year we welcome the following new staff:

Rochellee Plumb has been appointed as an additional Assistant Principal. She will have responsibility for overseeing the teaching and learning priorities in our new strategic plan. Rochellee is currently teaching at Cheltenham East primary school, and she has previously worked as a literacy coach, literacy specialist and teacher in Victoria, and as an assistant principal and principal in Western Australia. 

Hannah Vesikko will take on the role of ICT coordinator. Hannah is currently teaching at Brighton Beach Primary School.

Jeneeta Uluilakepa from Rowellyn Park Primary School is joining us as a Prep teacher.

Bianca Bisset from Strathaird Primary School will also join us as a Prep teacher.

Debra Donoghue, currently at Bayles PS will be teaching Year 3 next year.

Miss Natalie Beach, currently at Malvern Central, will be teaching Year 1

Miss Lucy Dunshea will begin her teaching career with us in Year 2.

We will also be welcoming back Alison Williams, who has been teaching at Clarendon College, Ballarat this year, and Rhianna Robson who is returning from maternity leave to teach part time in the art room. 

CLASS ORGANISATION FOR 2016

For 2016, we will again be running 24 classes. All classes will be straight grades, except in Level 4, where all classes will be 5/6 composites.

The classes and teachers are as follows:

Level 1 (Prep)                                                 Miss Bianca Bisset, Ms Jeneeta Uluilakepa, Mrs Claire Eason, Mrs Julie Tarrant

Level 2 (Grades One and Two)                      Mrs Nerida Burns, Miss Natalie Beach, Miss Lucy Dunshea, Mrs Kathryn Parker, Miss Stephanie Loh, Miss Leah Moloney, Ms Helen Smith

Level 3 (Grades Three and Four)                    Mr Phil Cook, Miss Debra Donoghue,  Mrs Angela Houghton, Mrs Gabbi Menche, Miss Samantha Pyatigorsky, Miss Georgia Stephenson, Mrs Gina Van Veen

Level 4 (Grades Five/Six)                               Mr Damian Cripps, Miss Gabrielle Grant, Miss Gillian Large, Mr Greg Pollock, Miss Alison Williams, Miss Madeline Woodbridge

PYP Coordinator/ support                              Mrs Sue Riley

Art                                                                   Mrs Rhianna Robson/

Mrs Helen Russell

IRC/ Library                                                   Miss Hannah Vesikko

Music                                                              Mr Peter Bucher

PE                                                                   Miss Tracey Nelson

LOTE                                                              Mrs Kerry Emmanouil

Reading Recovery/ Literacy support              Mrs Jeanette Baker

SAKG Kitchen/Support                                 Mrs Euanna Evans

SAKG Garden                                                    Mrs Mary Giannakopoulos

Mrs Melanie Short and Mrs Jessica Dubyna will be offering teaching support prior to their commencement of maternity leave.

SCHOOL REPORTS

End of year school reports will be distributed this Friday. Please take time to share these reports with your children and consider the significant achievements they have made in their learning through 2015.

LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL

Next week is very busy with end of year celebrations, starting with the Grade 6 graduation on both Monday morning and evening, House Sports on Tuesday and Wednesday, class parties on Thursday and dismissal on Friday at the earlier time of 1.30pm. 

Heather Hll