Levies

At our recent School Association meeting, the executive passed a motion to make a small increase to school levies for the 2022 school year. In 2016 the school reduced the rates for levies and they have remained at the same figure since that time. The School Association were presented with the departments levy policy, a list of levies from other schools statewide as well as the school’s budget to assist in the discussion and process in coming to a decision for the upcoming school year. Families should have  received a notification of levies payable with relevant information including payment options.

School Association AGM

Our School Association will be holding the Annual General Meeting at 5:30pm Tuesday December 14 at the Penguin District School secondary campus. I’d like to take the opportunity to thank all members for their contribution to our school across the past 12 months – Paul Kenny, Elisha Franks, Melika Kelly, Brendan Ivory, Mel Grey, Kathryn Smith, Lennice Wilson, Julie McKenna and Nicky Green.

New classes 2022

On Monday December 6, primary campus students met their new teachers from years 1-6. Whilst it has been widely reported in the media that teacher shortages across the country are being experienced, we are very fortunate to be able to confirm our teaching team for 2022.

Primary campus

Mrs Deb Haberle, Mrs Olivia Bracken, Ms Megan Maney, Mrs Pietta Nicholls, Mrs Wendy Radcliff, Mrs Carla Hubbard, Mrs Elisse Gardam, Miss Maddison McCormack, Ms Moira Paterson, Miss Nicky Green, Mrs Lynn Taylor, Mrs Kylie Mudford, Dr Janet Mackenzie, Mr Justin Rattray, Miss Hayley Marshall, Miss Paige Blackett, Miss Maddison Hayward, Mr Damien Rabe, Mrs Bronwyn Enright, Mrs Lyn Brown

Literacy support – Miss Bronwyn Gibson, Mrs Cheryl Wells, Ms Jenny Slater

Specialist lessons – Mr Chris De Ruyter, Miss Abby Goninon, Mrs Christine Lusted, Mr Nick Turner, Ms Jenny Slater and Mr Adam Lane,

Secondary campus

Karina Van Essen, Tash Turner, Nick Owen, Darcy Schake, Amie Dunlop, Bec Van Essen, Ashley King, Jodie Murphy, Noah Johnstone, Sarah Mott, Narelle Butler, Sarah Cappelli, Angela Fitzallen, Beth King, Robert Maywald, Nick Turner, Geoff Davis, Jade Hughes, Abby Goninon, Chris DeRuyter, Jordan Taylor, Matilda Lutwyche and Mat Grining.

School Leadership Team

Mat Grining, Geoff Davis, Matthew Perry, Sarah Cappelli, Adrian Beard, Jessie Eberhardt, Adam Lane, Jodie Murphy, Robert Maywald, Karina Van Essen & Jade Hughes.

Following a number of permanent vacancies due to retirements and school growth, I’m pleased to announce that following recent selection processes that Jade Hughes, Adrian Beard, Jessie Eberhardt and Sarah Cappelli have all been appointed to long term leadership positions at our school. Our primary campus assistant principal position is still to be finalised following Jenny Ashton vacating the position.

I’d like to welcome Beth King, Justin Rattray, Janet Mackenzie, Tash Turner & Sarah Cappelli who will be joining our teaching team for the first time in 2022.

Capital Works Update

Following the announcement that Vos Constructions will be undertaking the contract for the refurbishment of the year 7-12 teaching areas, we have decided that all kinder to year 6 classes will remain at the primary campus for the duration of 2022. Whilst the ‘new’ primary teaching spaces will be open from March/April of next year, they will be required as classrooms for the years 7-12, whilst demolition and renovations take place. I’m sure that our Kinder to year 6 students will be able to enjoy plenty of ‘visits’ to the new areas as part of their transition for 2023.

Public artwork

Jerome and Amanda from Third Door Designs (T3D) provided an update this week of their project through the Tasmanian Public Art Scheme. One of the most exciting aspects of this public art installation has been that students and parent/staff representatives were actively involved in the interviewing and selection of the artists. Their art installation will be sure to evoke a sense of curiosity and wonder for people of all ages. They shared technical specifications and some (much smaller!) 3D models of their sculptures to the panel, which will eventually stand as tall as 2.4m in the canteen courtyard and be visible from a number of vantage points from around the school. Riley, Portia and Molly checked out the final location and got a sense of the visual impact that they will have once completed.