Principal's report 

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung People of the Kulin nation; past, present and those who will walk with us into the future.

We acknowledge the rich and unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas, educational practices and the hopes of all First Nations Peoples. We do this in the spirit of reconciliation as we move to a place of justice and partnership - together we work, learn, play and care for one another and this land.

What a great camp!!

Last week I had the perfect start to the term, with the opportunity to go on the Year 4 camp to Phillip Island.  For this time of the year, the weather was fantastic and it was so great to spend this time with the Year 4 students and staff members.

Many schools have not had camps this year or changed from annual camps, to camps in alternating years. There have been some reasons behind this, such as changes to how staff are paid Time-in-Lieu, however at Kalinda we have remained totally committed to having our Year 3 to Year 6 students attend camps every year.

When I think about my own time at school, many decades ago now, the memories that stand out the most are the time spent at school camps. These were certainly some of the most memorable days from my childhood, and as a teacher and principal, they are also some of the most memorable days from my working life.

The reason these days stand out so much in our memory, is not just because they are fun. They stand out as they are really important developmental moments as we grow up. Spending time away from home, challenging ourselves to go on the flying fox, or the giant swing, being responsible for our own belongings, and getting along with our peers are all really important life lessons.

At Kalinda we are committed to giving your children experiences that allow them to flourish in life. This includes being highly literate, numerate, and curious, and also includes being resilient, forming positive relationships, managing  emotions, and having a strong sense of gratitude for opportunities in life.

I was so proud of our Year 4 students. They consistently displayed our school values of kindness, resilience, and respect on camp. They gave everything a go and supported and encouraged their classmates to do the same.

I hope that all those who attended camp got a good rest over the weekend (I certainly needed it) and that you treasure the great memories you have from your time on camp. 

I am also greatly looking forward to creating many more great memories on our Year 3 camp later this term and our Year 5/6 camp next term.

Tanabata tree

Have you seen our Tanabata tree in the school foyer? Tanabata, also known as the ‘Star Festival’, is a Japanese celebration which takes place on the seventh day of the seventh month. According to Japanese folklore, this is the only day of the year when the two stars, Altair and Vega, can meet. At this time of the year, it is tradition to write Tanabata wishes (known as tanzaku) on colorful strips of paper and hang them on Tanabata trees made from bamboo branches. People also decorate their houses and public spaces. Children from across the school have enjoyed writing their wishes for the tree.

Enrolling for 2024

We have been having a lot of families come through the school for tours this term. If you are an existing family with a younger child starting school next year or you are a new family to the school, we are accepting enrolments now. 

Please follow this link for a school enrolment form, or pop into our office to pick up a hard copy.

School Tours are open now. Tours can be booked via this link.

Shaun McClare,

Principal 

Kalinda Primary School

We are kind. We are resilient. We are respectful.