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Dear Families,
The last day of the 2023 school year has arrived. It is hard to believe that 2023 is almost over. I am always amazed at how quickly the year goes by.- especially as I get older, it seems to get faster! Today our students met with their new teachers. There were a lot of excited students moving into their 2024 class to meet their teacher and their learning buddies, and hopefully new friends. Class placements require a considerable amount of work by our staff to ensure that the academic, social and emotional needs of our students are being met. It can be a daunting time for many members of the family as they navigate through a range of emotions at this time of the year. A reminder that change is a good thing would encourage students to view the changes as an exciting time and a time where great things can happen.
I would like to thank and congratulate my staff. The dedication and professionalism of the school staff has once again really shone through during 2023: The dedication and professionalism of all of our teachers to ensure they are providing the best learning for all students has been outstanding. The Teacher Assistants are often the forgotten heroes in schools. They work closely with teachers to support our students with the highest needs to ensure that they are accessing appropriate learning and achieving their best. Our Teacher Assistants are simply amazing and, as well as first aid, often use their initiative to undertake other tasks needed as required. Our office staff: Brandie, Liz and most recently Jenna (replacing Kristy-Lee) and our SBM Ali, continue to be the frontline when people come into the school. Even under pressure this team always greets visitors with a welcoming smile and provides caring support for students (and families). Our school is a big school which means a big role for our Education Facility Attendants: Jason, Carole, Malcolm, Tilak and Kim. They work tirelessly day in and day out to keep our school looking fabulous ensuring that our school has a welcoming appearance and is kept safe. I could not be prouder of how the staff have continued to work together with the focus remaining on providing a safe environment with high-quality learning programs for all students. Each staff member at our school plays a big part in the social, emotional, and academic development of students and certainly help make my job in the school an enjoyable one. Beside me is another great team who provide me with outstanding support and often do most of the hard “grunt work”– My Assistant Principals: Aaron and Rachael; Keegan, James, and Marisa (ASTs); and my Quality Teacher Coach: Ann-Marie as well as our support teacher: Chris.
Like every year in a school, we farewell staff for a number of reasons, such as promotion, transferring schools or maternity leave. This year we say goodbye and thank the following staff members for their time at our wonderful school:
Maternity Leave:
Abby Luttrell: Thank you for your wonderful work this year in our Early Learning Space in prep. It is such a great achievement to see so many students so happy and engaged while they are at school. We wish you all the very best with the new addition to your family and look forward to your return after maternity leave.
Eleanore Taylor: Your calm and thoughtful nature will be missed at Austins Ferry Primary in 2024, but we would like to extend our congratulations on your new family addition and can’t wait to see photos of your newest family member. See you in 2025!
Promotions:
James Stewart: What an integral part of our Numeracy and STEM team. James has worked tirelessly in the area of securing grants that benefit our students and with support in Numeracy. He will be missed by many and I know that I will miss all his work with data that helps inform our teaching and learning at Austins Ferry. Waimea Primary is lucky to have your expertise.
Chris Lewinski: Chris will also be missed by many students as he has been a support for many students over his time as both a TA and teacher. Chris has accepted a promotion to AST at Bagdad Primary School and I know that he will make a strong and positive contribution to their school.
Transfers:
Amelia Clifford: Thank you for your approach to inquiry with the students, it certainly helps students think and question more deeply as they learn. We wish you all the best at Springfield Gardens.
Lauren Parker: Although only being back a short time this year after coming back from maternity leave we have appreciated your flexibility and adaptability. We have valued your engaging teaching and learning program and your genuine rapport with families and students. All the best for your next adventure at Richmond Primary.
Riki Duncan: Riki’s love of kindergarten and working with our young students will benefit South Hobart Primary in 2024. We have been fortunate to have Riki with us at Austins Ferry sharing her love of play and inquiry in the early years and helping develop teacher pedagogy and best practice amongst our staff.
Pip Bailey: Pip has been a long serving member of our school community. Congratulations on your transfer to Bellerive Primary. Thank you for all that you have done for our community at AFPS, the students have benefited from your engaging classroom practices.
Kate Petraitis, Abbey Fox and Cynthia Howard: Thank you all for your wonderful work at our school. I know that the students have been at the centre of all that you do. You stepped in at short notice and we all admire how much you gave of yourselves to our students. All the best in your next steps.
Curriculum work:
Melissa Wickins: We have been extremely fortunate to have an engaging and comprehensive language program this year. The students have had many opportunities to participate in learning Japanese, developing an understanding of Japanese culture and share their learning through assemblies and organised Japanese events. Thank you for your enthusiasm and commitment to the students. We wish you well in your curriculum role in 2024.
…and finally, we have a key bank of regular relief teachers, such as Scott, Kerrie, Vanessa, Anna, Molly, Jess and Ebony. I would like this opportunity to thank them for the part they have played in the student learning at AFPS. It has been fantastic having such a dedicated and professional group of relief teachers willing to undertake the teaching roles at the school and continue to provide meaningful learning for our students. I wish you all a lovely break and hopefully see you back at AFPS in 2024.
At this stage the role of Principal will be advertised in term 1 as a substantive position. In the interim, I will be continuing in the role. I am excited by the trust put in me to continue to lead the school on its teaching and learning journey, working with all the wonderful students and helping them to develop and grow both academically and within themselves. I am always reminded about the value of a strong partnership between school and home and am confident that this partnership continues into 2024. The team is stronger when we all work together.
For the start of 2024 Anita Clifton will be taking some long service leave. We look forward to hearing all about her adventures when she returns in week 3.
For 2024, we will be welcoming a few new faces to our teaching team. Ashley Swan – 1/2 (Lindisfarne Primary), Meghan Edwards 1/2 (Invermay Primary), Jess Collins – 1/ 2 (East Derwent Primary), Conor Hicks – 3/4 (Princes Street Primary) and Ollie Farid remaining in 3/4.
Teaching Staff 2024
Class Teachers |
|
Daisy Spaulding |
Kinder A |
Amanda Johnston |
Kinder B |
Anita Clifton |
Kinder C |
Beth Lincolne |
Prep |
Maggie Sandhu |
Prep 1 |
Mel Granger / Olivia Smith |
Prep 1 |
Ashley Swan |
1/2 |
Meghan Edwards |
1/2 |
Jess Collins |
1/2 |
Jaimie Riseley |
1/2 |
Brydie Pearce |
3/4 |
Gabby Gollogoly |
3/4 |
Abby Cochrane |
3/4 |
Conor Hicks |
3/4 |
Oliver Farid |
3/4 |
Tim Parrott |
5 |
Yonna Pankiw |
5 |
Jordan West |
5 |
John Perry |
6 |
Daniel Coppleman |
6 |
Ellie Kearns |
6 |
Teachers |
|
Rachel Huizing |
Support |
Robyn Slater / Anne – Marie Reschke |
Literacy / Numeracy Support |
Laura Kroustalis |
Performing Arts |
Scott Docking (2 days) / Georgia Stalker (2 days) |
PE/Health |
Sophie Gallen |
Art |
Alice Karpiniec |
Japanese (TBC) |
Erin Rogers |
LiL |
TBC |
Education Support Specialist |
Rachael Blair |
EAL |
Kate Mills and Thibaut Favier |
Kitchen / Garden |
Leadership Team |
|
Suzanne Oates |
Acting Principal |
Aaron Guilliamse |
Assistant Principal |
Rachael Sayers |
Assistant Principal |
Ann – Marie Johnson |
Quality Teaching Coach - Literacy |
Keegan Bailey |
Safe Guarding Lead / AST |
Marisa Jackson |
AST Support |
James Gatenby |
AST Numeracy |
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our School Association Committee, led by Rachel Lodge. I would like to thank everyone involved in the association for the time they dedicate to activities aimed at providing fundraising or enriching activities for the families in our school community. They have been there to support with the purchase of both STEM equipment and new Decodable Readers for 2024 that will support our Reading Priority. Planning is underway for 2024 events. Watch this space! I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our wonderful school community and staff who have worked hard together to support the learning of our students. It is always a joy to chat with families about their aspirations for their children and how we can support that journey with them.
I say a last goodbye to our Year 6 students and leaving families. Remember, Austins Ferry Primary School is always your school. Enjoy the next part of your journey as you head into high school next year.
I wish all staff, students and their families a restful and safe holiday period. We look forward to seeing our returning students on Thursday, 8th February 2024 for the start of a new school year.
Suzanne Oates
Principal
CHRISTMAS EVENT
What a spectacular evening. It truly brought out the Christmas spirit with everyone celebrating together. How many wonderful smiles could be seen throughout the evening. Thank you to everyone for coming and supporting our amazing community.