Tate Street 

PRINCIPAL'S WELCOME

I have now had the full year at Tate St PS as the Acting Principal and I could not be prouder of our families, students and staff as we have transitioned through a period full of challenges! 2022 was the first full year of onsite education for our staff, students and families since 2019. For our Grade 1’s and 2’s, this was the first ‘4 term’ onsite year ever for them. Our Grade 3’s and 4’s were able to get out into the yard and work on socialising and fostering close friendships and bonds, which is such an exciting, yet emotional time after having 2 interrupted years in the yard.  Moving towards 2023, our future looks incredibly positive, with next year’s enrolments at a very healthy and sustainable number for our teachers and staff. Mr Scott’s work over the last decade will continue to progress while he takes a further 6 months of leave to begin 2023. We wish him all the best during this time and look forward to seeing him walk back through the school gates to a flood of excited Tate St students. I appreciate the support Terry has given me and the opportunity I have had to lead this school for a short time.

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I would like to provide you with a list of highlights for me as the Acting Principal this year:

• Our staff worked together to create a hybrid model for our ‘Meet and Greet’s’ at the start of the year in order to reach out to our families with great success.

• The P & F committee was rejuvenated and refreshed with the help our new President, Barry Chisholm! A long list of parents contributed to over half a dozen events and raised nearly $15,000 towards school upgrades.

• Our parent Opinion Survey produced some excellent results with over 40 responses, more than double previous years, which has provided the school with some great targets moving into 2023.

• The Marimba Program has shone bright again this year under the careful coordination from Ms Rocca! A workshop with Jon Madin, The Marimbamuster with multiple schools visiting Tate St and half a dozen out of school performances, just a small list of achievements from the program.

• Because of our excellent data across all year levels, we had several schools visiting to observe our teachers deliver lessons in Literacy.

• We held an incredibly successful BBQ and Cake Stall at Tate St PS for the Federal Election, with support coming in from all over the community!

• We have the main toilet block refurbishment happening before the 2023 school year with the re-surfacing of the quad area to follow.

• Our Year 5 and 6 students were lucky enough to be transported down to Newcomb Secondary College several times for Year 7 classes of Science and Food Technology, and we are absolutely rapped with our growing partnership with NSC!

• The Outdoor Classroom is now official, with the installation of a waterproof shade sail over the quadrangle outside the Prep rooms and office.

• Our school camps were a raging success despite cancellations, weather and illnesses creeping, with all students loving their time at Anglesea or Lady Northcote.

• Over 100 people contributed to a really successful working bee early in Term 4, with support from several teachers also!

• We have decided on Science as a new Specialist subject for 2023 with Karen Michell leading the program with a lens of Sustainability, which we are super excited about!

• Grade 4 students attended our highly successful sailing program once again where they experience sailing yachts around Corio Bay during Term 1.

• Our Bike Ed program was once again a hit with Mr Potter.

• Swimming in Term 4 for all students was a success at the Geelong Aquatic Centre, with the students representing the school beautifully.

• Our whole school excursion this year was to Sovereign Hill at the start of Term 3, with several students striking gold and returning with pockets full of knowledge and lollies.

• Year 7 & 8 students from Newcomb Secondary College worked with our Year 1/2 students on creating narrative writing pieces over a few visits to Tate St PS

• As always, we need to thank our School Council members for another productive year and especially to our newly appointed President and Vice President, Lara Jeffrey and Carly Jehu (respectively) for their huge, positive input to Tate St PS.

• The ‘Colour Run’ was very popular, with our students looking like an emoumous rainbow and a few select teachers and myself looking like green, slimy monsters.

• Lucy Jones continues to support the school with instrumental music and our Senior Choir, who have performed beautifully at our Assemblies.

• Mr D led our Grade 3, 4, 5 and 6 students to participate in District Aths, Cross Country, basketball, soccer, netball, tee ball

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As for our graduating Grade 6’s, I wish our Class of 2022 all the very best for their future at Secondary School. You have been so well prepared by Mr Potter and Mr Bates, along with all the teachers and staff over the last 7 years to enter the next phase of your life/school with success and fond memories from your time at Tate St PS. Be the best version of yourself and represent Tate St PS with the kindness and pride you so well know.

 

Tony Mirabella

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