Wishing everyone a very safe and Happy Christmas and a wonderful start to the New Year

Final Assembly

Congratulations to everyone on their wonderful performances at our Final Assembly yesterday.

A special congratulations to the following award recipients:

• Commitment to Learning Kindergarten: Annika Dransfield, Jasper Van Diepen
• Commitment to Learning Prep: Isaac Street and Vera O'Toole
• Commitment to Learning 1/2: Esther Van Nieuwkuyk and Birdie Scott
• Commitment to Learning 2/3: Isabelle Perkins and Pippa Loberto
• Commitment to Learning 4/5: Sam Hook and Poppy Hutchins
• Commitment to Learning 5/6: Heather Hay and Neve Watson
• Sports Award: Eamon Triffitt
• Music Award: Courtney Parbs
• Arts Award (Drama): Zachary Jury
• Arts Award (Visual Arts): Scarlett Fromhotlz and Keira Anderson
• Student Excellence and Academic Award: Sophia Montgomery
• Growth and Courage Award: Finn Dransfield
• Huon Valley Council School Spirit and Citizenship Award: Heather Hay
• Minister for Education Respectful Student Award: Ruby Driver

Thank you also to the following sponsors of our Awards this year:

• Huon Valley Council
• Bendigo Bank
• Louella Jury
• Huon Rotary Club
• Huon Lions Club
• Dr Bastiaan Seidel
• Dean Winter
• Zsolt Faludi
• Eyelines
• David O’Byrne

Mrs Lees Assembly Speech

For those people who were unable to attend our assembly yesterday, below is the speech delivered by Mrs Lees:

As the year comes to a close, today is a chance for all of us to reflect on the year behind us and to celebrate everything that has been achieved. It was a little over a year ago that Mrs McKay and I sat down to have a hand-over conversation. For both of us, a new chapter was beginning and for both of us, Glen Huon Primary School holds a very special place in our hearts. What we have at Glen Huon Primary School is something very special and worth treasuring. What makes it so special are the people, both big and small, young… and… not so young, who walk through our doors.

I would like to start by thanking all these wonderful students before me. Thank you for arriving each day with your smiles and greetings. Thank you for being curious and creative. Thank you for the questions you come to ask, the stories you come to share and the treasures you come to show. Each and every one of you is at the very centre of why we are here today. All of you are the reason this hall is filled with people; staff and family members who have come to celebrate the amazing individuals that you all are.

I would like to thank our incredible staff team. It takes an enormous amount of commitment to create the special place that we have at Glen Huon Primary School, and so I would like to take the opportunity to thank the amazing staff team who give so much and go well and truly over and beyond the call of duty to ensure that this school is the best it possibly can be. In particular, I would like to thank and farewell Miss Janette Smithurst, Miss Emma Cooper, Mrs Sharon Cleaver and Mrs Helen Jones who sadly won’t be continuing on with us next year. Thank you also to Mrs Ingrid Gilmore, Mrs Sue Wilton and Miss Shanae Merritt-Smith who have filled in for us this term and of course to all our wonderful relief staff. We thank you for everything you have contributed to our school and wish you all the very best for the future.

I would like to thank all our families for supporting the school this year. You play such a critical role in the lives of your children but also in the culture of our school. I would particularly like to thank the School Association members, which of course includes our outstanding Parents and Friends, for their ongoing commitment to the running of this school and the time put into helping improve the opportunities and facilities we provide our students. So many people have contributed to our school this year, be it through breakfast club, canteen, the disco, BBQs, book covering, the colour fun run and of course the raffle. Thank you for your ongoing efforts and we can’t wait for the arrival of some new play equipment early next year.

Today is of course a very important day for our Grade 6 students as they complete their final few days of Primary school and look towards a very exciting start at high school next year. When I look at you sitting before me, I am filled with an incredible sense of pride and when I think about the future I am so excited about the possibilities that await each you. Each of you represent so many things including confidence, optimism, opportunity and resilience.

I look at the strong and self-assured learners that you have become. Daily I am impressed by the way you look out for others in our school, the way you work with and encourage others, the way you show leadership and model for others the attitudes and values that make you the wonderful young people that you are.

I have only known you for a short while, but what I have observed about each of you is this:

Keira, I would love to bottle your positivity and enthusiasm.

Mem, you are deeply caring and loyal.

Finn, watching you undertake the robotics challenge I saw such confidence and composure.

Ruby, you are unfailingly polite and gentle.

Keyton, I see a young person who is passionate and resolute.

Scarlett, there is a wonderful purposefulness about you and a great sense of humour.

Lucian, you show a great sense curiosity and purpose.

Heather, I don’t think you could find a more devoted and empathetic person.

Sully, I see in you someone who is decisive and energetic.

Brigham, you are playful and active.

Georgia, how wonderfully dramatic and confident you are.

Zack, you have a lovely kindness and unassuming quality about you.

Sophia, you are fun loving and optimistic, always with a smile as you arrive at school.

Courtney, I see a young lady who is thoughtful and supportive.

Jade, there is so much about you that is creative and courageous.

Eamon you always conduct yourself in a way which is generous and respectful.

Neve, I love the way you are compassionate and big-hearted.

Elvy, your ability to be determined and brave have the potential to take you far.

Ella, you display a quiet humility and honesty, but also strength.

And last but certainly not least, Luca, you are both vibrant and unstoppable.

To each of you I say, nothing is out of your reach, everything is possible. If you are prepared to work hard, stay true to yourselves and take strength from the support and encouragement of those around you, you will continue to grow into outstanding young people with the whole world before you.

We wish you all the very best for high school and can’t wait to hear about the exciting things your futures hold in store for you.

Colour Fun Run

What a wonderful time we had last Thursday on Colour Run Day.

Thank you to all the parents and staff who helped with the setting up and organisation.

Triathlon

Last Friday 14 students participated in the Triathlon at Bellerive. What a remarkable effort by these students who showed sportsmanship and determination!