Huntingdale News

Principal Report

It is with great pleasure that I write the final newsletter for the 2014 school year. It has been a year filled with so many successes and developments that I am sure I will not do jus- tice to all that has occurred across the year, but I will pay tribute to a number of significant events in this newsletter. I must begin by say- ing a big congratulations to the children for the hard work they have done in ensuring they use good manners when interacting with one an- other around the school. I know firsthand the significant difference this has made at the front office. I look forward to hearing all of these lovely manners again in 2015.

First and foremost the children have show- cased the outstanding work they have done across the year at events such as the successful School Play at Robert Blackwood Hall, Christ- mas Concert last Thursday, Assemblies and external performances which have included Violin, Choir, Taiko, Keyboard and other class based performances. Participation in Camp, JMSS Little Scientists presentations, Science Extension Program (SEP), Interschool Sport, District, Division and State Athletics and Cross Country, MAT Program, Swimming, Seasons for Growth, Chess, Lunchtime Soccer Tourna- ments, Court Yard Games, H&PE week, Open Days and Nights and many other opportunities.

This is all above and beyond the day to day classroom learning experience whereby our teaching staff strive to provide a highly differentiated curriculum for each of our children. The level of consistency with teaching Read- ing across the school is something we are very proud of and the children’s excellent results are testament to this. Thank you to all of our staff who support teaching and learning day by day irrespective of their role. We will miss those staff who are moving to other schools, towards retirement or taking a well-earned break but know you will cherish the opportunities this next stage of your life will bring. In 2015 we will continue our focus on Writing and Student Wellbeing as we create more consistent practices across the school which will enhance student outcomes. I thank both our gorgeous children for creating the spark that makes our school come to life each day and the teachers for the outstanding work they take such pride in.

I thank the thriving School Council, ably led by Stuart Macphee, who have organised the 60th Anniversary, Mosaic Wall and She Oak forest, reinstated the Japan Trip with 20 students and 4 teachers jetting off next year amongst the continuing improvements to our Buildings & Grounds and the background work on add- ing a more professional touch to our corre- spondence and branding. I hope you as parents and guardians have en- joyed sharing, learning and celebrating with us through School Council, Parent Reps, Infor- mation Nights, Open Nights, Shioya visitors and home stay, Open classrooms and a per- sonal highlight being the ICU weeks where we have had parents come and sing, dance, cook and share their backgrounds with us amongst other opportunities across the year.

For the Year 6 children, who are moving onto ‘bigger and better things’ at the range of Sec- ondary Colleges, we wish you all the best. Erica, Riel, Emily, Juliette, Eshwar, Xander, Athenie, Emma, Ruby, Jessica, Hannah, Riki, Indigo, Sarah, Ethan, Hiyoshi, Eleanor, Bobby, Hanami, Matthew, Dylan, Ashley, Charlie, Ni- cole, Daiki, Elisha, Mia, Samuella, Marion, Eri- ka, Kyle, Stacie you have been stellar examples of what school leaders should be; you have been humble in your roles right the way through to the end of Term 4 which is a true testament to you and the values you hold dear. The captains have led their respective areas beautifully and I am sure you will have enjoyed imparting your words of wisdom onto your predecessors. The tone of any school is set by the Year 6 students and we have had such a lovely year with you all at the helm. For those families that are moving overseas, interstate or further afield I wish you well with the journey ahead.

2015 Staffing

It has been lovely to have so many staff mem- bers involved in the various panels across this term to select our staff for 2015. Team Hun- tingdale has really gone from strength to strength this year and there have been many processes streamlined over the last six months that will undoubtedly ensure our students have even better educational outcomes in the year to come. I would like to take the time to thank Miss Ruth Biddle who has been instrumental in seeing our school and processes through fresh eyes these past six months and I know our school is in good hands with you on our Princi- pal class team.

We welcome to our team Miss Emma Lock- wood who joins us from her most recent uni- versity placement at Black Rock PS where she also worked in a Year 2 class. She will bring great enthusiasm and kindness to the children in 2L and I am sure you will all make her feel most welcome. We welcome Mrs Mariko Hio- ki-Walker (Hioki sensei) to the team who will replace Miss Yukiko Shoya for the 2015 school year. Mariko is very familiar with our school context having volunteered for a number of years as a parent volunteer. We also welcome Mr Tadashi Hanazono to our specialist Nihongo team. He will take both Year 5/6 music classes and also work with our Taiko drumming group. We are very privileged to have him on staff to ensure we continue to hear the beat of our drums throughout next year! We have also appointed teaching assistants to support our children on the Program for Student with a Dis- ability (PSD). We have secured Wakana Karchnak and Mayumi Cake for an extended duration and we know they will continue to work to support our children across the school.

I also have great delight in announcing our fi- nalised teaching teams for 2015 and room allo- cations. All of the children would have met their teacher and found out their new room on Monday at Walk Up. It is certainly an exciting time although some nerves and apprehension can also surround this time. The staff have been completing the “2015 Proactive Chal- lenge” whereby they have been ‘dropping in’ to each of the current classes of their soon to be children to get to know those who will be coming up to them next year. We have also completed the handovers for the relevant chil- dren linked into the Student Support network to ensure as successful a transition as possible. As you read below please note the new termi- nology around the Prep classes. As part of the Australian Curriculum they have changed the first year of schooling from Prep (Preparation) to Foundation and the class listings below will reflect this change.

Parent Reps

A reminder that anyone who had intended to complete the survey to provide input into our forward direction please do so before the 18th of December at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RFX2637

This is the last newsletter I will write as Miss Kate Spithill. Next year I will return as Mrs Kate Gray, this will hopefully alleviate the Miss Spithill/Miss Biddle confusion that has reigned since Ruth’s appointment in the middle of this year. All of the children have made a paper crane over the past week for me to have as decorations on my wedding day. I thank them for their contribution and am so glad that they will be able to be part of this special day. If you are around on the 28th of December feel free to bring the children along to St Dom’s in Camberwell at 2.30pm to share in the celebra- tions- the more the merrier!

Have a Merry Christmas everyone and see you all in the New Year!

Kate Spithill

Nihongo News