Term 2 - Version 2.0

This term will certainly be one to remember for many years to come. We’ve reached an important milestone this week with the return of our Year 7-10 students. As we discussed with our senior students, the break from on-site teaching and learning for some students has been longer than the Christmas break. The responsibility that schools have in providing a welcoming and safe place with routine and predictability has been never more important. Thank you to our families for helping prepare their children for the return to face to face schooling over the past few weeks, and to our students for how they have embraced being back with their teachers and peer groups. Whilst our school attendance has quickly returned to ‘pre-COVD19’ levels, it is important that families monitor the health of their children and that they are staying at home if they are unwell, or exhibiting cold/flu like symptoms.

Staffing Updates

The end of term often brings some staffing changes in schools, and this term is no different.

Mrs Sheila Sheriff commenced maternity leave this week, with Miss Sue Hughes teaching Mrs Sherriff’s classes for the remainder of the term. We wish Mrs Sherriff and her husband Ben well as they transition to a very exciting stage of their lives and look forward to some visits from baby Sherriff later in the year. From next term, Mrs Sherriff’s classes will be taught by Mrs Rebecca Van Essen. Mrs Van Essen is an experienced Maths/Science teacher that will add great value to our teaching team with her qualifications in this area.

Miss Bronwyn Gibson has re-joined us following a period of maternity leave. Miss Gibson will be providing literacy support across the primary campus as part of our small teaching groups and will be working with many students that are already familiar with her.

Our school health nurse Katherine Atkins will be concluding her time with us this week. Katherine has secured further permanent employment in the health industry. I’d like to thank Katherine for the work that she has undertaken in her time as our first school health nurse and we wish her well in her further employment.  

Donations to Overseas Schools

Thank you to the families that replied to our online request to find an appropriate use for our boxes of unworn Penguin High uniforms that we were unable to reuse. We were able to connect with Peter Cunningham from Library Aid International and the boxes of uniforms will be going directly to schools in Zimbabwe as part of a larger care package. The labelling and logos on the uniform means that it would be inappropriate for these items to be in circulation in the local community.  We are glad that these will be put to great use in a community that really needs it.

Step Back in Time

As we are moving closer to our school redevelopment project, we have uncovered some hidden gems with old certificates, photos and news stories. One item that we are seeking to track down is the time capsule that was buried at the time of the Penguin Primary School Centenary celebrations in 1985. We have some photos of the occasion and hope that there are some members of the public that may be able to help us pinpoint the exact location. The Penguin History Group have also been helping us with our endeavours. If you are able to assist, or if you have any photos or memorabilia from Penguin State School, Penguin Primary or Penguin High School that you’d like to share, please make contact with the school office.