Principal's Report

Au revoir From Janet

As I begin my final newsletter I have looked back at my very first newsletter. When I arrived I felt that I had come home and I was excited for the future. I wrote that education is a journey and not a destination. A cliché it may be, but what a journey we have been on. It is a journey defined by collaboration, shared vision and pride. To be the Principal of Heidelberg Primary School is something that I have never taken for granted, and as the thirty-sixth principal to caretake and steer this school has been an honour.

We had 318 students in 2008 and our school looked very different. We started at the back fence and have moved through to the front garden and now like the Sydney Harbour Bridge we are starting again. In that time we have moved and rebuilt playgrounds, refurbished every classroom, built the BER, established eight portable buildings, refurbished the toilets, office area and SAC building, landscaped our grounds and built the COLA. In turn, our students respect their school and are proud of it.

Buildings are only part of our story and it is what happens inside those buildings that is the heart of our work. Our reputation as an outstanding school is well deserved and underpinned by the amazing staff at HPS; our teachers, admin and ES support. In working with our strong leadership team of (Carol, Graham, Jamie, Stef and Annie) we have focused on opportunities for continual improvement. The curriculum continually evolves and the staff are highly reflective, committed and enthusiastic about their work. To be part of this team has been a professional highlight for me.

On a daily basis I have loved the interactions with the students. They make you laugh, make you proud, make you strive to improve and keep you energised. In my time here I have had the opportunity to watch so many of our students begin in Foundation and develop and grow into amazing teenagers. I know the future is in good hands.

As a school community we have all worked to make this school the very best it can be for your children. As a parent community your support and willingness to work in a partnership with myself and the staff is something I have appreciated and enjoyed. The governance of a school is extremely important and we have always had a school council that has been willing to embrace new ideas, consider options, and provide wise counsel. I have worked with five School Council Presidents and this relationship is pivotal to successful school operations. To Simon, David, Nicole, Matt and most recently Mel you have always been a support and a sounding board for decisions and Mel you have been my design partner is recent years as we have worked on various projects.

I have had an amazing career in education and I can look back over the past 47 years with a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment. Your kind thoughts and well wishes over the last few weeks have been the icing on the cake and deeply touching.

As a local resident I say thank-you for the journey and au revoir as I know we will bump into each other. Please come up and say hello. I will always hold a special place in my heart for HPS and its community and would love to know how your journey is unfolding.

Playground Redevelopment

We will begin this large project over the holidays and it will be completed in the first few weeks of Term 2. This is a very exciting opportunity to redevelop the bottom oval. The finished product will have a hockey and soccer pitch in the middle and a two lane running track around the outside. We will be using sleepers to create seating around the boundary and protect the gardens that face onto Darebin Street and Rosanna Road.

The Gallery

This remains a space that we proudly use to display art work from all different areas of the school. The Art Team change the displays regularly and it is a space our students enjoy looking at the work of their peers.

Final Assembly

Unfortunately, due to current DET restrictions, only parent reps are able to be present at the final assembly tomorrow. Parent reps must sign in at the office on the Compass kiosk and must observe social distancing regulations.

Assemblies in Term 2

As our whole school assemblies are held outside during terms 2 and 3 they will begin at three o’clock on the tiger-turf.

End Of Term

The end of term is fast approaching with our final assembly at 1:50pm tomorrow, Thursday 1st April followed by an early dismissal at 2:30pm.

May I take this opportunity to wish everyone an enjoyable holiday with family and friends over the Easter break.

Please note School will resume on Monday 19th April.

Janet Ringrose

Principal