RPS Special Edition Chatter

…. And BANG…. I’ve now heard “last Christmas” on the radio….I still haven’t started my Christmas shopping….where did the time go?  It’s time to finish up the 2023 school year.

Before I go any further, it is my pleasure to introduce to you our team for 2024:

• Foundation:  Sarah Devine, Daisy Sprague, Sarah Tehan
• Year 1/2: Rachel Foster, Emily Wilson, Pauline Wallis, Sarah Golin, James Troutbeck
• Year 3/4: Isobel Thomas, Josh Hurn, James Johnstone, Gemma Baggio
• Year 5/6:  Maddie Clarke, Luke Davy, Harriett O’Connor, Harley Joss
• Intervention/Tutor: Tammy Jensen
• Specialists: Lucie Kershaw, Julian Bowring, Karen Lynch, Kath Faichney
• Integration: Fletcher Newton, Joey Wilson, Emily Brown, Angela Rhodes, Beth Kompes
• Admin: Jake DeBono, Vesna Pavlic, Andrea Gunn
• Principal Class: Megan Dell, Russell Sivewright

Officially, or final day of the 2023 school year is Wednesday 20th December (tomorrow).  We will be conducting our final whole school assembly on the netball courts commencing at 9:15am.  All students will be dismissed from their learning space at 1:30pm.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our amazing students for their enthusiasm and excitement about being back at school together for a whole year.  They turn up each day with a smile on their face and determination to get through the year in a positive way.  We are all incredibly proud of their efforts.

To our outstanding staff who continue to ride the education rollercoaster with me…it’s been a relatively calm year, with still a few twists and turns to keep us on our toes.  Thank you for doing what needs to be done in the best interests of our students and putting their needs first.

To our parent and community members who continue to provide our students and staff with support and encouragement, thank you it is greatly appreciated.

To those members of our school community who are moving on to new chapters/adventures in 2024, we wish you the best of luck in whatever the future holds.  Know that you will always be part of the RPS family.

Which leads me to the part of this Chatter I’ve been avoiding…. but it’s time to formally thank the Robin to my Batman, the B2 to my B1…It’s time for farewell Nerida and wish her all the luck in the world as she becomes the Principal of her own school.  The Principal and Assistant Principal have a unique partnership; we have each other’s back, we support each other…in the ever-evolving landscape that is education.  Throw in a global pandemic and you had a recipe for success or disaster.  Thankfully for us it’s been a HUGE success.  Personally, I think our partnership has been one of open communication, mutual respect, and a shared dedication to the benefit of our students and community.  I know she is going to be an incredible Principal, and Glen Huntly Primary are very lucky to have her.  I’m not alone in saying that we are going to miss her and there are not enough words to describe the positive impact she has had on the culture of Richmond Primary.  So on behalf of everyone, thank you Nerida for everything; you passion for quality education, always doing the best for our students, going above and beyond, your support, the laughs, the tears, the memories…and riding the rollercoaster with us.  It’s never been dull!  We wish you good luck at Glen Huntly Primary and know you are going to an amazing job.

Finally, on behalf of our staff, we would like to with you all a safe and holiday break, and hope you get some quality time with the people you care about the most.

Stay safe.  Stay healthy.  Stay happy and remember to be kind to yourself and others.

Merry Christmas and I look forward to what our 2024 adventure together brings.

Megan 😊