Welcome back everyone to Term 4. I hope you all had some time to relax with your family and enjoy the break from the routine of school life.

Welcome back everyone to Term 4. I hope you all had some time to relax with your family and enjoy the break from the routine of school life. Another busy term ahead, with this being the last 11 weeks of primary school for our Year 6 students. I am looking forward to participating in their graduation ceremony at the end of the year.

As the newly appointed principal to Greythorn Primary School, I would like to take this opportunity to say how excited I am to be taking up this position at such a highly regarded school. Greythorn Primary School is renowned for its academic excellence along with its high level of community involvement and participation that contributes to making it such a wonderful school. For the past 12-18 months the school has been working on many new initiatives, along the implementation of new curriculum programs in-line with its current Strategic Plan. I will continue to support and develop these initiatives to ensure that every student receives the best possible education and that individual learning needs are met.

I do have an historical connection with the school as I taught here many years ago in 1989 and 1990. I have also worked in the neighbourhood as I was at Mont Albert Primary School from 2008-2014, with the last 4 years there being in the position of Assistant Principal.

I would like to acknowledge the work that was carried out by Dr Kim Dray and Mr Ken Darby during the period between Geoff Agnew’s leave and retirement and my subsequent appointment. They both worked tirelessly to ensure that the school operated at a high level and continued to develop and improve over this time. They have both been of great assistance to me with my transition into the school.

I am looking forward to meeting and getting to know you all over the ensuing weeks. Please feel free to drop into my office at any time to say hello. I also encourage you to contact me if you have any issues or concerns in regard to the school.

Last Monday’s curriculum day was a very productive day for the staff. The morning session included a very informative presentation from a Department representative on working with EAL (English as Another Language) students, That is, students who attend school with English as not their primary language. The morning session also included a presentation from Simon Judkins and Matthew Baker on various applications to do with Compass. The afternoon session was facilitated by education consultant, Di Wilkinson. Di has been working with the staff on the implementation of the Readers Workshop program across all year levels.

Sixteen students have enrolled in the school this term so I extend a warm welcome to these new students and their families. We trust that you will enjoy being part of the Greythorn community.

You may have noticed some maintenance work that was carried out around the school during the holiday period. Several trees were trimmed along with the removal of some old bushes and shrubs from various locations around the grounds. The tiered retaining walls near the front corner of the school were also repaired and improved. Major work was carried out in the lower building with aluminium frame windows being installed on the south wall of the entire building. The new windows look fantastic and certainly raise the aesthetic appeal in these classrooms. Final sealing of the frames and the reinstatement of air-conditioning units will be completed this week. New window frames are also to be fitted to the south side of the staffroom. It is anticipated for this work to be carried out next Monday.

A reminder that a working bee is scheduled for this coming Sunday from 9am to 1pm. Any time or assistance that you can give on the day will be greatly appreciated.
Andrew Searle
Principal