Looking Back and Looking Forward
We are approaching the end of another successful year in the Junior School. There have been many events that stand out for me including NAIDOC Week, the Ice Bucket Challenge for MND and the Year 5 PYP Exhibition. Our new Junior School Captains have been outstanding. As predicted, they have been trailblazers in their new positions and have been outstanding role models in our school. The work the teachers have engaged in to raise boys' attainment in Mathematics and writing has greatly impressed me, as has the commitment and positive attitude of our boys and the support of our parent community.
Farewells
We say farewell to members of the Junior School teaching staff. Miss Tapscott is moving back to Melbourne to join her partner and will be recommencing at her previous school, Mt View Primary School. Mr Dickson has been appointed as a new secondary Mathematics teacher at Tranby College. A move that will bring him closer to where he lives and provide him the opportunity to further develop his love of teaching Mathematics. Mr Mann is relocating to Dunsborough with his family and will be teaching at Dunsborough Primary School. Mr Caniglia has recently been appointed to be Head PE and Sport for Year 3 to 6 at Cranbrook School in Sydney. The work of Mr Caniglia has been outstanding. He has skillfully developed and led the sporting programme of the Junior and Middle School and assisted many of our boys in developing their abilities as sportsmen and athletes. Mr Caniglia's organising of the always-successful Inter-House events remains as highlights of any school year. I wish to thank these four fine educators for their outstanding contribution to our school. They have been excellent teachers and wonderful colleagues. I have greatly appreciated their dedication to the boys and their commitment to providing the very best educational experiences each and every day.
Mrs Kim Lorimer, our School Psychologist, is moving to work fulltime in the Middle School. I wish to thank her for her excellent work and support of our boys and families. Mrs Daniela Jasper has been appointed as the new Junior School Psychologist. Mrs Jasper joins us from the Catholic Education Office and the Non-Government School Psychology Service where she was a Consultant Senior Psychologist.
New Staff
In 2015 we will welcome new members of staff to our talented team. Mrs Tara Fowles has worked at Newman Junior College, Loreto Nedlands, Holy Spirit Primary School and John XXIII. She is a very experienced teacher who has worked in both the independent and state sectors. Tara has a passion for education in the younger years and effectively uses iPads to engage and motivate learners.
Ms Liza Richardson joins us from Canberra Girls Grammar School. Liza had a long career at Price Waterhouse Coopers before deciding to follow her passion for education. She is an experienced PYP teacher with a passion for inquiry learning and the integration of information and learning technologies into her classroom.
Mrs Larree Springall has recently moved to WA from Victoria where she taught at Kororoit Creek Primary School. She is experienced with the PYP and engages wonderfully with her students. Mrs Springall combines her love of inquiry learning with the use of technology to provide excellent learning experiences for her students.
Our final appointment is Mr Andrew Wells. Mr Wells is an experienced teacher who has spent the last four years working at Sacred Heart Primary School in London, UK, a school I know well. He has taught in Year 6 and excelled in the teaching of Mathematics. He has led professional development into the integration of Information Technology into teaching and learning for 44 schools. He has also introduced coding into the curriculum and he ran a coding club at Sacred Heart. Mr Wells in originally from WA and has recently returned home from the UK.
Below are the class teacher assignments for 2015.
Year | Teachers | Academic Support | |
1 | Mrs Kristen Grey | Mrs Susan Phillips | Ms Penny Hooper |
2 | Mrs Alison Webster | Mrs Tara Fowles | Mrs Merrie Cockrell |
3 | Mrs Rebecca Turkich | Mrs Larree Springall | Mrs Fran Longhurst |
4 | Miss Olivia Creagh | Miss Liza Richardson | Ms Kathy Derrick |
5 | Mr Scott Whiston | Mr Andrew Wells | Mrs Janet Lopez |
Semester 2 Reports
Semester 2 reports will be sent home next week. Teachers will be available to answer any queries parents may have regarding the reports. Please email your son's teacher/s if required.
2015 - Meet the Teacher Evening
We are making some changes to our approach to the Meet the Teacher Evening for 2015. All parents are invited to attend a session with me in MacKellar Hall starting at 6:00pm to hear about our goals and programmes for the school year. Ms Derrick will talk about our developments and initiatives in our teaching and learning programme and Miss Hooper will talk about pastoral care. This session will be followed by time in your son's class to hear about expectations and procedures for the school year from his new class teacher. Meet the Teacher Evening will take place on Wednesday 4 February beginning at 6:00pm.
I wish to thank the teachers for their outstanding work this year. Their commitment, professionalism and determination to provide the very best education for the boys is inspiring. I thank the boys for their positive attitude and wonderful personalities. Finally, I wish to thank our fantastic parent community. Your support and engagement with us this year is greatly welcomed and appreciated.
I wish all families, boys and staff a wonderful Christmas and summer holiday. I look forward to the 2015 academic year and seeing the many refreshed faces as we begin what will be an exciting school year.
Mr John Stewart
Head of Junior School
