CHPS Newsletter

Principal's Page 

From Christian's desk....

CHAPS as busy as ever!

Thank you to our Parents’ Association, CHAPS for an amazing month.  CHAPS led a team of volunteers at Bunnings Chirnside Park on Saturday, hosted an icy pole fundraiser on Monday and held a stall selling chocolates at last night’s Carols. Thank you for your tireless work!

Carols

Last night’s Carols was a hit with our community gathering for our annual Carols. The students put on a sensational show! Thank you to our Performing Arts teachers, Brodie Douma-King and Sarah Pirrie for their impeccable preparations.

Farewells and welcomes!

At this time of year we begin to say thank you and farewell to departing staff and welcome new and returning staff.   This year is a particularly important one in CHPS history as we sadly bid farewell to three of our most experienced and longest-serving staff: Assistant Principal, Carol Wyatt and teachers, Di Richards and Liam Sommers.  Our school has been blessed for many years by a wonderful mix of staff youth and experience, creating enhanced student learning and opportunities for staff mentoring and development.  Carol, Di and Liam hold between them a wealth of passion, knowledge and expertise which will be greatly missed.

On behalf of the school community I would like to:

  • Congratulate and wish all the best to: 
    • Carol Wyatt and Di Richards on their respective retirements. It goes without saying that they have both had a significant impact on Croydon Hills Primary School and the system. Their formal celebrations will be held off until next year. Carol will be returning for four weeks in February – I will share a detailed recount of her many successes with the school then.
    • Liam Sommers on his appointment as Acting Assistant Principal at Rangeview Primary School in Term 1, 2022. 
    • Gen Stephens, who was due to return to Croydon Hills PS after a year of travelling through central Australia, but has been appointed as Disability Inclusion Facilitator for the Eastern Region in 2022.
    • Emily Ceko on the news that she and Ryan are expecting their first child. Emily has been a wonderful contributor to Croydon Hills Primary School for the last two years. She will return to her Base School (Milgate Primary School) for the beginning of 2022, prior to taking Parental Leave. 
    • The recently married Josh Cram and Jorja Van Unen, who are moving interstate to continue their education careers at Portside Christian College in Adelaide.
    • Will Smith on his appointment at Ntaria School in the Northern Territory for 2022. A very exciting life experience for Will and his wife Hannah. Will will be due to return in 2023 after a year of leave. 
    • Penny Mullin, who is moving to Queensland. Penny has been a wonderful contributor to our Integration Aide team since she began in 2017. 
    • Belinda Kaberry, who is moving to Good Shepherd Lutheran Primary School. Belinda has been an absolute asset and wonderful contributor to our school for the last two years.
    • Sarah Pirrie, who is returning to her Base School, Mount View Primary School after teaching in a part-time Performing Arts role in 2021. 
    • Tania Chirnside, who is taking a year’s leave next year. Tania will spend periods of the year travelling and living interstate. She won’t be a stranger though as she will be available for some employment when she’s not travelling.

I’d also like to wish Madeleine Plant all of the best in her future pursuits. Madeleine joined our team mid year this year and taking over the original MVU/MMP classroom following the fire in the Middle School. 

  • Welcome back:
    • Amana Tweedie after two years teaching at Swan Reach Primary School. Amana will rejoin the Performing Arts teaching team part-time alongside Brodie Douma-King.
    • Welcome to new teachers and Education Support Staff:
      • Alison Mulder, known to our community as a parent and teacher – including her role as Middle School Learning Enhancement (Tutor) this term. Previously Ali was a Leading Teacher at Boroondara Park Primary School. Ali will take on the role of Prep teacher and PLT Leader next year.
      • Erin Mooney, a Graduate teacher from Deakin University. 
      • Joshua Robertson, a Graduate teacher from Deakin University. Josh is known to our school community as an Out of School Hours Care educator. Josh will join the Year 3 team next year.
      • Sally Bentley, a teacher with two years’ experience teaching Prep at Old Orchard Primary School.  Sally will join the Prep Team next year.
      • Eleni Pilafas, a teacher with two years’ experience teaching Year Six at Serpell Primary School.  Eleni will join the Senior School Team next year.
      • Kelly Theunissen, a graduate teacher from Deakin University who you may know or recognise as Kali Fraser’s 4th Year Pre-Service Teacher this year. Kelly will join the Senior team next year.
      • Max Graham, a graduate teacher from Deakin University. Max will also join the Senior team next year.
      • Alex Hudson (Schafer), a teacher with a year’s experience teaching at Yarra Road Primary School. Alex will be teaching in Year 4 next year. 
      • Ashley Mayne will join the Learning Enhancement Team (via the State Government’s Tutor Learning Initiative). Ashley is a fourth year pre-service teacher who will not only be an employee, but also complete her fourth year placement at Croydon Hills Primary School.
      • Ashleigh Griggs, Katrina Jennings and Kate Errington will join the Education Support – Integration team next year. Katrina is known to the school as a casual ES and Kate as a Hot Shots Tennis coach.

2022 Meet the Teacher

On Tuesday our Prep students met their 2022 teacher. Tomorrow our 2022 Year 1 – 6 students will meet their teacher. 

Christian Holdsworth  -  Principal