Principal's Report

Dear Families,

It has been an exciting two weeks at Galilee with a number of learning experiences and highlights.

A reminder that we have a School Closure Day on November 30 and the staff will be preparing for 2019.

5 Million Dollar Video

Last Friday we presented this video to our whole school and members of the Liberal Party who were present to pledge $5 million towards our building project if they are elected to govern Victoria.

It is an amazing video that was made with contributions from our Year Five and Six students and Mr Coaley. 

Building

Thankyou to members of the Liberal Party who visited our school last Friday. A huge thankyou to the parents for your amazing response in preparing food and assisting with serving and packing up. The effort was worthwhile and resulted in a pledge of $5 million to our school. Please read below the media release from the Liberal Party.

On Friday afternoon, our local member for the Labor Party, Martin Foley also visited and pledged $5 million to Galilee for our building project. We thank Martin for his support. Importantly, this means that we will receive $5 million in funding regardless of the outcome of the State Election. Please read the media release below. Thankyou to the members of the Building Committee who have played a critical and startegic role in this process.

Out of School Hours Care

In 2019, we will be partnering with a new provider, TheirCare. Camp Australia will be finishing at the end of this school year. They have been at Galilee for about 12 years and we thank them for their care of the students. Last term we placed the process under Tender and we short-listed FIVE providers to be interviewed. All of the providers were given criteria to make a presentation on how they would provide a service to our families. I thank the following people who participated in the interviews: Carlo Martello (Deputy), Donna McMaster (Chair of SEB), Romney Nelson (OSHC Consultant) and myself. After consideration of the key criteria we were thrilled to appoint TheirCare. The company is privately owned and has a reputation for forming close partnerships with schools. Below is a summary of why we selected TheirCare:

• Focus on building links with local community and programming that builds on the interests and preferences of the Galilee children.
• Value for money service.  Flexible booking arrangements for all families, which allows for bookings to be added or changed up to 24 hours before service without any penalty.  Late bookings or cancellations  (within 24 hours of the service) only attract a charge of $4.  Families are only ever charged the full cost of service if they use it or cancel on the day. The cost of using before and after care will be reduced compared to current charges. See the attachment below for the prices.
• A strong presence at school events.
• There are no registration or annual fees and no complicated pricing structures.
• An investment in training and support of their Educators to ensure the highest quality care for families.
• Longer hours are being offered, if required, with the service being available to open from 6:30am.
• School Closure Days will not necessarily be dependent upon numbers.
• Holiday Programs commencing at the end of term 1.

On Wednesday November 28 from 6pm TheirCare will be hosting an information session for parents in the School Hall.

Art Show

Today all families were invited to attended our Art Show from 5-7pm. There was an opportunity to vote for the Orrchibald Award from students in Years 5-6 and everyone was eligible for door prizes. Cheese platters and biscuits were available with wine tasting (gold coin). Food trucks were present for families to eat dinner. Thank you to Mrs Orr for her outstanding preparation once again, to the many parent helpers and the Social and Fundraising Group.

The Teachers' Choice for the Orrchibald Award results are:

1st Sofia T (Princess Diana)

2nd Isabella H (David Attenborough)

3rd Alexander C (Bill Gates)

Congratulations to all the students on the quality of their work.

Dads and Kids Camp

This weekend I will be joining some of our dads and their children at the 3rd Father/Child Camp from Saturday to Sunday. There are approximately 100 people attending the camp which is a great opportunity to help build closer father and child relationships. Thanks to Paul Mapley for again organising the weekend. 

Farewell to Year 6 Families

As we say goodbye to our Year 6 students at the end of the year, we are also saying goodbye to some families that have been with our school community, with multiple children, for

10/12/14 plus years. 

We have decided to acknowledge this milestone, at our end of year school mass on Friday December 14 from 9:30am., as it was a tradition with Galilee many years ago and one we would like to share with the school community.

We accept some students of our Galilee families may leave our school earlier, however, to stay true to our past tradition, we will only be recognising, by way of a certificate and small gift, those that have their final child and year with us in Year 6 at our end of year Mass on Friday December 14 from 9:30am.

Crazy Hair Day

Yesterday we held our annual 'Crazy Hair Day' to raise awareness and money for Cystic Fibrosis. Today, the staff engaged in a presentation learning about this condition. Thankyou to everyone for the money raised and to Mrs Price for organising the day.

State Championships - Debating

Today we had two teams of students from Years 5/6 competing in the Debating State Championships. It is our first entry in this tournament and the students acquitted themselves with skill and enthusiasm. We are very proud of their performances. We look forward to increasing our participation in Debating in 2019. Please see a picture below of one of the teams. Thankyou to Mrs Ferguson, Miss Carnovale and Miss Biggs for their preparation of the students.

Swimming Carnival

Competition will be rife tomorrow at MSAC as our students compete in their House colours at the Galilee Swimming Carnival. Thank you to the many parent helpers who have volunteered to help Mr Tobin on the day.

The students have been busy preparing in the new Houses and we look forward to seeing and hearing their enthusiastic cheering.

Everyone should bring snacks, lunch and plenty of water to get through the day.  As it is an outdoor pool the students will be required to wear their school hat when they are not competing. They should put on sunscreen before they come to school and bring some to reapply.

A reminder coloured ribbons/ hair spay can not be worn in the pool.

Community Conversation - Survey Data

On Tuesday November 21st, from 8:50 till approximately 9:30am in the Perfoming Arts Room, recent data from our School Improvement Surveys will be shared with parents/guardians. Successes will be recognised and ideas will be sought followed by tea/coffee. A Caremonkey has been sent home and you are encouraged to attend.

Prep 2019 Transition

Next week Prep students for 2019 will attend their 3rd transition day on Tuesday 20th November and parents will attend the Parent Information Session on Monday night at 7pm. Thank you to the current parents who have volunteered to attend the information session and Miss Evans for preparing the evening.

The students will have their final transition day on 14th December when they meet their class peers and teacher.

Simon Millar

Principal of Galilee