20 December 2017

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

It is hard to believe that we have almost completed another school year and it has been pleasure to celebrate and recognise our efforts and achievements through our Celebration Assemblies and end of year events. Although it is always very busy at this time of year it is important to take the time to reflect on the year that was and enjoy the highlights and accomplishments of our wonderful students. This year our learning programs have grown and diversified and we have been able to offer our students a wider range of quality learning programs to both challenge and motivate them. Our STEAM Room has been a real highlight and students from Kinder to Grade 6 have immersed themselves in problem solving and a vast array of digital technology challenges. Our Arts program continues to grow and this year included Tasdance and Interweave’s Remade Fashion Show. As always we continue to excel in the sporting arena and our sporting opportunities are well represented.

Grade 6 Students

It has been an absolute pleasure to spend time with our Grade 6 students this week at our Celebration Dinner and Presentation Assembly. It is obvious to me that these students have made the most of their opportunities at primary school and are ready to take the next step in their learning journey at High School next year. I know the future actions of these students will show Exeter Primary to be the great school it is and I wish them well. I would like to thank the parents and families for working in partnership with us to support the positive growth and development of these fine young people.

End of Year Reports

Families will have received their End of Year Reports on Monday. Please take the time to read through the report with your child and discuss their results. Celebrate their successes and let them know how proud you are of them. Report time also provides a good opportunity to talk about future learning goals, ask your child what they would like to improve on next year and then work with them to help them achieve their goal. If you have any questions please contact your child’s class teacher. With the report you will receive your child’s class placement for 2018 and information about book sales and levies. If you haven’t already done so please assist us by finalising any outstanding accounts and returning any library books, home reading books or maths bags that you may still have at home.

Staffing 2018

The annual staffing process is always a long and generally complicated process and we try hard to have classes completed and teachers assigned so that families know who their children will be with in the new school year. We are now in a position to confirm the following classes and staff:

Kinder – Jo Howell
Kinder – Shanley Freeman
Prep – Jane Upson
Prep/1 – Rebecca Simpson
1/2 – Jo Crawford (Jenny Johns on leave Term 1)
1/2 – Julie Doyle and Helen Purtell
1/2 – Jen Radford and Evie Gee
3/4 – David Duncan
3/4 – Vicki Gee
3/4 – Francesca Massey
3/4 – Bec Wheatley
5/6 – Christine Alcock
5/6 – Thomas Clark and to be confirmed
5/6 – Tony Clancy and Sallyann Geale
5/6 – Jill Wivell and Peter Habel
AST – Thomas Clark & Kate Emms
AP – Helen Peart & Amy Sims
PE – Peter Habel
Launching into Learning – Kate Koch
Learning Support – Evie Gee
Music/Arts – Kate Emms
Our Support Staff for 2018
Psychologist – Jessica Walker
Social Worker – Karen Button
Speech Pathologist – Rachel Chivas
School Nurse – Juanita De Vergier

Students will be visiting their new classes on Tuesday morning and we ask that you support your child to manage this change by remaining positive about the transition. It is usual for children to feel anxious about a new teacher, new classroom and new friendships and they will look to you for guidance and support. If you are optimistic and reassuring, then they too will be optimistic and focus on the positives. Classes have been constructed with great care and with the best interests of children in mind. All parental input has been acted upon and we do not anticipate any class changes from this point on. I thank you for your support with this.

Farewell Mrs Gray

This year we are farewelling Mrs Jan Gray, who after 10 years at Exeter Primary School, is moving on to Summerdale Primary. Most families will know Jan as she has taught many of our students in Grade 1 or 2. Jan is a true early childhood educator whose classroom is always a buzz with interesting and creative learning opportunities. After a recent holiday in Hawaii she returned to her students with lots of Hawaii themed learning activities and her students greeted everyone with Aloha! We will miss Mrs Gray but know that she will be warmly welcomed at her new school and wish her all the best.

Thank You

At this time of year I am mindful of all the people who contribute to the life of our school. I would like to acknowledge the parents and community members who support us through the School Association and Parent and Friends. This group of people continually support our school and look for ways to value add to the progams and facilities we offer. In particular I would like to thank Cindy Dunn, president of the School Association, for her service to the school and the many hours that she contributes. Also Amanda McEvoy, Alex and Tim Swain, Louise Scott, Susan O’Leary, Lisa Dentler and Mathew Crowden, Niall Simpson, Alison White, Liz Strange, Donna Barker, Jo Jones and Sarah Jane Clark for the valuable contributions that they have made this year. I would like to especially thank Liz Jordan who attended her last Parents and Friends meeting last week, as her youngest child moves on to High School next year. Liz is responsible for the Ladies Night and many other successful fundraisers over a long association with Exeter Primary. We thank her sincerely for the wonderful and generous work she has done and will miss her next year.

Acknowledgement must also go to our teaching staff, teacher assistants and support staff for their dedication to improving the learning outcomes of our students. Thanks also to our facility attendants who keep our buildings and grounds in excellent order, to Mrs Clarke for the fabulous job she does in keeping our beautiful library so orderly and attractive. Thank you to Mrs Mohr for the great job she does in providing healthy and delicious options in the canteen and a special thank you to our Administration staff who, at this time of the year, work extremely hard to ensure that celebration events run smoothly, reports are printed, and new classes are assigned and so on.

I am grateful to the families and the greater Exeter Community who support our school and advocate for us in the community and finally I would like to thank our wonderful students for making Exeter Primary the friendly and inviting place it is.

I wish you all a happy and peaceful Christmas and look forward to seeing you all again in the new year and hearing all about your holiday adventures.

Assembly Awards

Grade 6 Awards Recipients

Class Awards 2017

We congratulate the following students:

Arts

Arts Afternoon

School Association

Parents & Friends Christmas Hamper Winners

Parents

Book Sales Day

Community News