Week 4 and we’re alright! 

We have had a very productive week.  It's been busy but I have really enjoyed getting to know the staff, spend time in the playground and visit classrooms.  The children have been very welcoming and keen to introduce themselves to me.  It has been a privilege to have chats to find out what they like about school. 

School development day

Last Monday the staff spent the day finding out about me, what I value and how I like schools to operate.  We shared some laughs and it was great to have the opportunity to have conversations.  I asked the staff to provide me with some comments about what they value about school leadership and where they would like me to start.  Their honesty was greatly appreciated and gives me some clear direction.  Of course, some of their ideas are going to take longer than a week to implement but it's good to have some things to work towards.

The staff also reflected on the business plan and the actions that need to happen by the end of the year, by the middle of 2020, and the end of the year.  With all business plans it is easy to think that three years is a long time but the reality is that we need to get things into place to achieve the targets that have been set and for the strategies to be embedded into the classroom.  I look forward to providing you with updates about the work being done by the staff.

Arts Night – Well done!

The Arts Night was a fabulous event.  I am so glad that I was able to attend and enjoyed being able to sit back and see the children perform. Thank you to everyone who attended; your support of this event was wonderful.  I would like to acknowledge the many hours invested by Miss Rhiannon O'Connor, Music specialist, and Mrs Helen Sweet, Visual Art specialist.  It was a huge effort to celebrate the talents of the children.  A very special thank you Ibu Mulyana, Indonesian specialist, who helped the children to show off their skills to play Angklung.  Thank you also to Mr Rory Critchley who emceed the evening.

Staff news

At the end of the week Mrs Stacey Young returned to her role as classroom teacher. I would like to thank Miss Heidi Cobbledick who has been working in Room 20 for the past two terms.  It has been a pleasure to have her in the classroom.

Outdoor Classroom Day

Yesterday we celebrated Outdoor Classroom Day.  Some of the classes participated in a range of activities outdoors and made the most of the sunshine.  A very big thank you to Mrs Kirsty Spicer, Teacher, who has been the leader of this initiative and ably supported by Mrs Sue Egan, Education Assistant. 

Carols by Candlelight

Carols by Candlelight is planned for Tuesday 10th December 2019 and will be from 6.00-7.30pm.  Please keep the date free so that you can come and enjoy being with friends and sing with the choir.  A very special thank you to Miss Rhiannon O'Connor, Music Specialist, for leading this events and to all of the staff who have put their hand up to be part of the planning.  Thank you also to the P&C Association and Candlewood IGA who are contributing to the evening.

Year 6 Camp

Planning for camp continues and I am sure that the Year 6s and staff will have a wonderful week away.  I am looking forward to spending some time at the camp to see the children challenge themselves in a range of activities. Miss Mercer has had two days out of the classroom to get the paperwork organised and to finalise arrangements. 

New picnic tables 

Thank you to Ingrid Wooley and her family for the generous donation of picnic tables which are now in the sensory garden and outside of D block for the children to use.