2017 – The year that was!

Wow, how this year has flown by! It seemed like just the other day I was welcoming this year’s Prep students and parents to the school for the first time. By the time you read this article the academic year will be finished and Christmas will soon be upon you.
Can I say we have had a busy but very enjoyable year!  Apart from all the ‘usual’ fun class teaching, sporting carnivals and great events, here are some features and highlights for the year:

• We welcomed our new Headmaster, Mr. Solymosi – who was often ‘out and about’ and visiting classes
• Two, full classes per Grade all the way through Primary School
• A splendid, very informative and enjoyable Back to School BBQ evening
• First Primary Swimming Carnival
• A fun Grade 5 & 6 Camp
• iPads used extensively in Gr 5 and Gr 6
• Gr 5 & 6 students use Secondary Science Labs
• New Canteen
• Face Book used more readily as an information / communication tool
• Productive Parent / Teacher Interviews and Profile Night registration done ‘on line’
• Drop Off Area process monitored by staff and the Gr 6 leaders really worked well this year
• New walkways, fences and signs in and around the school
• New Bell sound and song of a morning
• Support a Reader, Friendship Groups and Learn for Life program increased in the school
• Improved results for the NAPLAN Test
• ICAS testing (English, Maths and Science) well supported and students did well.
• On line subscriptions and resources (e.g. Literacy Planet, Reading Eggs, ClickView) were increased and improved
• Resource Room working well and Mrs. Bayer has done a wonderful job promoting books and reading.
• Lots of new wonderful class resources like Library books, class readers and teaching aids were purchased
• Student Leadership of Captains, Vice Captains, Class Ambassadors, Sport, Library, Art & Music Captains did a wonderful job this year
• Litter Legends and Carpet Champions given badges and esteemed in recognition of their role
• A fun and well attended Grand Parents Day was held in the Auditorium and new Sports Centre
• Prep Readiness Testing and Orientation Day enabled staff, Preppies and Prep parents to become acquainted with the ‘Parklands Way’
• Gr 6 Graduation Ceremony took place in the Library Function Room
• Gr 6 Transition Day allowing students to experience Middle School staff and venues
• Pro Soccer, Cricket, Basketball, Softball and Netball coaching plus lots of different sport training (athletics, Cross Country) offered during morning or Structured Playtime
• Gr 6 Table Tennis training offered
• Athletics Carnival held on our top oval and ran smoothly.
• Students play in second half of lunch time and have lots of fun
• Duty staff monitored games/soccer played on oval, during structured play
• Top oval, fields and new Baskerville Sports Centre used for training and HPE
• Came 4th in the CSSA Swimming Carnival
• Came 4th in the CSSA Cross Country Carnival
• Came 1st in the CSSA Athletics Carnival
• Soccer and Netball Teams did well in CSSA Team Games
• AFL boys and girls team unbeaten through the season
• Carols on the Green Event was well supported
• Choir performances in Chapels, Grand Plaza, Open Day and Carols on the Green
• Parklands came 2^nd in the Grand Plaza Choir performance competition
• Parklands did very well in Wakkakirri – received wonderful feedback.
• Mother’s and Father’s Day Stall brought great joy and excitement to the students

In preparing for 2018 can we please ask that you allow the teachers, who only want the BEST for and who know your child here at school, to place them in the care of their next year’s teacher? This ‘student placement process’ is taken very seriously and is extremely inclusive and involved taking into consideration factors like: academic ability & rigour, gender ratios, student & teacher personalities & character, social / behavioural and emotional factors!

In the New Year, students will receive an informative “Welcome Letter” from their new 2018 class teacher notifying them as to which classroom they’ll be in. Thank you for your understanding, support and assistance in this regard.

Staffing for 2018

– The amazing, long serving Mrs. Kerry Foster has resigned and Ms. Tegan Kunne has been appointed to the position of Prep Teacher for next year.

– Mrs. Bourchier’s husband has been transferred to Sydney for a year’s business contract so Jess is taking a year’s leave to go with him. Her replacement is TBA.

– Mrs. Desley Finlay’s one year contract for Louise McNabb has unfortunately not been renewed and her replacement is yet to be advised.

– Mrs. Penny Daley is going to further her studies and become the Primary School Head of Teaching and learning/Curriculum so Mrs. Julie Koplick will be replacing her in Grade 2.

We wish Kerry, Jess, Desley and Penny everything of the very best for the future and know the students will be in great hands with the wonderful replacement staff we will be appointing.

Reminder:

1. Structured Play starts at 2.30pm.   Students can be collected at the Undercover Area by a guardian any time from 2.30pm.
2. The end of the Primary School Day is at 3.10pm.
3. Students need to be collected from the Undercover Area by a guardian or older sibling and cannot leave on their own.
4. Students not collected by 3.30pm will be taken up to Student Services where they will be supervised until 4pm.

We continue to welcome parent involvement in the classrooms, at functions, sporting events, swimming and in all areas of the school so as to help the teacher but also to add value to your child’s education. It’s wonderful to see Mums and Dads reading to children, helping tie shoe laces after swimming and sitting on the bus going off on an excursion or camp. Please feel free to continue to offer your assistance to the staff!

Thank you everyone for a great 2017! We wish you all the best for the Christmas Season and an enjoyable safe holiday.

We look forward to seeing you on Monday the 22nd  January 2018 for a fantastic New Year.

Blessings

Mr. Jakins