Principals Message

The end of the 2014 school year is upon us and it has been an extraordinary year. A change in leadership in both schools has seen many changes implemented, some changes have been highly successful, others less so. As a staff we will reflect on the full range of data available to us to so that we continue to build on the successful changes and cease anything that hasn’t had the desired impact.

Congratulations to the winners of the class Book Awards that were presented at the end of year assembly last Friday. It is very special to be chosen for one of these awards. I would also like to congratulate the newly elected 2015 Student Councillors – Jemma Jones, Payton Swinwood, Ruby Bates-Waltham, Chloe Belcher, Caleb Law, Jack Bassett, Daniel Elwin and John Niyombabazi. It is an honour to be elected by your peers as a leader within our school and I’m looking forward to helping develop your leadership skills as we work together next year.

A Message for the Year 6 and Year 7 Graduating students I am very disappointed not to be able to join you for Graduation on Tuesday evening as I have been looking forward to celebrating this special occasion with you. I have known many of you since you started in Kindergarten and I remember pigtails and ribbons, missing front teeth, patching up grazed knees, listening to you read, meeting your parents for the first time, watching you make “best friends” one day only to find new “best friends” the next day, handing you your first merit award, hanging your first piece of legible story writing in my office and being entertained by the interesting and creative ways you often attempted to spell my name. I remember Easter Hat parades with you wearing questionable hats (usually an ice cream container plastered with feathers and bits of streamers flopping in your face), watching you march off to countless assemblies, wiping away tears when you didn’t win your running race and counting hundreds of you on and off the bus as you left school for an excursion. Throughout the years of your schooling at Challis I have been immensely proud of the behaviour and choices that the majority of you have made. Immensely proud of the way you leave your difficulties behind and arrive at school each day, determined to do your best. Some of you have not made good choices however the great thing about High School is that it is an opportunity to start over, do things differently, patch up your mistakes, try harder, aim higher, set goals and focus on gaining an education. Each and every one of you is special, talented, smart and creative. My great hope is that you recognise your talents and seize every opportunity to create the type of future that you deserve. Work hard, be true to yourself, give back to the community, achieve your goals.

At this stage of the year, it is always sad to say goodbye to staff who won’t be returning the following year. Although some decisions are still being made which may create additional farewells, we are definitely saying goodbye to:

Mrs Anna Fazio is retiring after more than 20 years as a teacher at Challis Primary School and over 43 years in the Education Department. You provided a secure, safe and nurturing environment for students where all students and parents were welcome. You mentored and supported many beginning teachers who were able to turn to you for assistance in their professional lives. All the love and luck on a well deserved break, you will be sorely missed.

Mrs Jennifer Felstead (Registrar) has accepted redeployment at Makybe Rise Primary School as the acting Business Manager. Jenny is an outstanding Registrar who has guided Challis Primary through the myriad of changes created by becoming an Independent Public School. I am very sad to lose Jenny as a leader in our office however we know she will be a much appreciated staff Mrs Tracy Ahearn is taking up a Maths position at Darling Range Sports College for 2015.

At this stage the appointment is for 12 months however there is the possibility that Mrs Ahearn will not return to Challis. As Maths has always been her area of interest and strength, this is a perfect opportunity for Mrs Ahearn to extend her Maths knowledge by teaching secondary students. As a deeply committed member of Challis Primary for many years, Mrs Ahearn will be missed by all staff for her generosity in supporting colleagues, her willingness to share her resources, her sense of humour and, of course, her Maths knowledge. Thanks for your commitment to Challis, Tracy and best of luck at your new school.

Mrs Allison Bailey has been the School Officer in the ECEC for many years and has served parents efficiently and respectfully for all of those years. Those who share the office area with Allison, have benefitted from her great sense of humour, her ability to see the lighter side in every situation and her generosity. As a result of the amalgamation of the two schools, Mrs Bailey has opted to be redeployed to another school. I am extremely grateful for the service that Allison has provided our school and for her continued efforts to keep the office operating with increased efficiency. Allison’s next school will be extremely fortunate to have her running their school office. Many thanks, Allison!

Mr Brett Whiskin is returning to his permanent position at Grovelands Primary School and will take up a Year 2 class next year. Mr Whiskin has had a very challenging year in his behaviour management role and we appreciate his efforts to help children and parents to learn about taking responsibility for their behaviour, choosing their consequences and making positive choices. All the very best for your teaching career, Brett.

Mrs Margaret Adamson is bravely trying a new, but related, career path by opening her own family day care. Mrs Adamson is taking 12 months of leave to try her new venture, and as much as we want to see her on our staff again, we also want her business to prosper. We send you all of our best wishes for your new path, Margaret.

Mr Crosby has been with us a very short time as the PE teacher in the Primary school and he has secured a position at Mindaree Primary school which is very close to his home. Mrs Wisson, who replaced Mrs Stoyles in PP, has secured her own position at Piara Waters and we wish both of them the very best as they start their teaching careers. Other fixed term staff are waiting for the outcome of the recruitment process that is currently underway to fill positions across the school for 2015. It is a nervous wait for many of them and we wish them well with this process and for 2015.

Other Staff that are leaving us are: Bella Yang - Teacher Tracy Thompson - Education Assistant Teresa Wisson - Teacher Jenny Young - Teacher Belinda Satie - Education Assistant

Fiona Brown - Education Assistant Jeanice Jones - Education Assistant Andrew Crosby - Sport Teacher

Congratulations! – I am pleased to announce that Mrs Heather Lewis has secured the position of Business Manager of the newly amalgamated school, starting 2015. This was a competitive process and Mrs Lewis demonstrated thorough knowledge of the complexities of the Challis community and her skills in managing finances, HR and all of the flexibilities afforded to Independent Public Schools.

Congratulations also to Mrs Sinclair and Mrs Burke who have both won fulltime Level 2 School Officer positions and to Mrs Stanning who will continue in her part time school officer role. We have one final appointment to make in the office however that process will be initiated early in 2015.

I would like to thank the hard working P and C Committee for a successful year in the Canteen, Uniform Shop, Fundraising, School Banking, and all of the other services that you provide for the parents of the Challis School community. Although there have been challenges to work through this year, I believe that 2014 may return the largest donation back to the school that has been received in many years. I look forward to working with your Committee next year to continue to work for the greater good of all Challis children.

Thank you to our volunteers who have contributed countless hours in service and dedication to our school. From Margaret and Barbara who serve breakfast five days per week, every week of the year, Mr Wittome who mentors in Year 2 and Mrs Lord who reads with individual children and provides one on one quality support to children who need extra attention, through to all of the parent helpers in classrooms, canteen, Parenting and Early Learning Centre, in the after school Science Club, the Mums who cut up fruit for the Active After School programme, those who wash the tea towels in Kindy and everyone who contributes their time to any part of our school ….a HUGE THANK YOU! We appreciate your support, you add immeasurable value to what we can provide for the children and we would love to see you offer your help again next year.

Thank you to all members of the School Board. This has been a historic year for the two schools with the Board initiated proposal to amalgamate. Under Mr Newton’s leadership as Chair of the Board we are now well placed to provide consistent programmes and teaching approaches to all children from Kindy to Year 6. We appreciate you dedicating hours of time to support our school to move forward and focus on improvement.

I would like to single out the Team Leaders and acknowledge them for their willingness to learn about leadership and the additional duties that they embraced throughout the year including attending after school functions, presenting data to the School Board and holding their teams accountable for the data. Thanks Team Leaders, we have an exciting year ahead of us!

Finally to the staff of both schools, a massive thank you for your willingness to embrace change, reflect on your practice and strive for improvement. I hope you enjoy a safe and happy Christmas break with your families and return in 2015 with renewed energy and determination to achieve even better outcomes for every child at our school.

Merry Christmas to everyone,

See you on Monday 2nd February 2015 for the first day of school (class lists will be on display on Friday 30^th from 1:30-3:30pm).

Warm wishes,

Lee Musumeci, Principal