As I will be taking two weeks leave and heading off with my family, I would like to thank all the students, staff and parents for another successful year. The school has been led ably by our Year 6 students, and I wish them well on the next part of their educational journey. I would also like to acknowledge the staff and all our wonderful volunteers for supporting our students.
I am in the privileged position to see the school in action at Richmond Street Kindy and Matlock Street Primary. I have enjoyed my many visits to the classes and the playground and also the many events our students perform and compete in. The program is diverse and we continue to look at refining and differentiating the curriculum to cater for the needs of our students.
Last week I was approached about taking a position as a Principal Consultant for a six month period commencing January, 2016. I have accepted the position and see it as an opportunity after nine years in the chair at Mount Hawthorn Primary to develop professionally and build on my skills.
It will also give someone an opportunity to put a fresh set of eyes on the processes in place at MHPS. Ms Carol Selley from Kyilla Primary School will be taking over in my absence and is excited about the opportunity. I will make sure Carol has all the support she requires and will conduct an extensive handover in January.
Lorena Rock will be in the Principal’s chair for the remainder of this year, commencing this Friday.
Have a wonderful holiday filled with family, friends and books. Read to your children, throw, catch and play, play, play with them.

CLASS STRUCTURES 2016

I have had a number of conversations with parents about planning for 2016. I welcome these discussions and will continue to be transparent about planning. Class structures are taken very seriously by the Administration team, with discussions beginning in July for the following year. The final structure is often not finalised until late January due to the likely fluctuations in enrolments, which the school has experienced in previous years. It is only in the last two years we have had the capacity to inform parents early.
The Administration team will be working throughout January to finalise structures and staffing to ensure a smooth start to the 2016 school year. I will lead this process and will consult with the new Principal, Ms Carol Selley. My taking leave will not stall the work of the team, which will continue as it has in past years and to the school’s timeline.

The facts are as follows:

• These are the current projected enrolments (as at 1/12/2015) and are subject to change.
  K – 100
  PP – 110
  Year 1 – 120
  Year 2 – 107
  Year 3 – 106
  Year 4 – 103
  Year 5 – 86
  Year 6 – 87

• As in previous years, there are a number of models being considered.
• All will be resourced appropriately, with staff consultation and in accordance to the funding model.
• One proposed model is to provide an additional teacher for the morning to reduce those class numbers. This would be supplemented with extra Education Assistant time in the afternoon.
• As a public school, we are enrolment driven. To be compliant with the recommended class sizes, which we acknowledge and consider, there could be a number of composite classes across the school. These classes have been successful in the past.
• As an enrolment driven public school, we leave class structure decisions until the latest possible time to account for additional enrolments, especially over the summer break. We will create additional classes should enrolments exceed expected numbers, and they are sustainable within the school structure.
• In accordance with our Delivery Performance Agreement, the Schools Board will be consulted about decisions made by the Administration team and funding.

My role as Principal over the past nine years has been to support students to achieve the best possible outcomes with the resourcing allocated.

PRIMARY EXTENSION AND CHALLENGE (PEAC)

Congratulations to Emerson, Rhiannon, Charlotte, Prue, Aaron and Lachlan on gaining entrance into the 2016 PEAC Program.

DIGITAL PROJECT AWARDS

On Saturday, 28 November four students were part of the Coderdojo WA 2015 Digital Project Awards held at Perth Town Hall.  Coderdojo WA is a not-for-profit organisation supporting the development of digital literacy (coding) skills amongst young people aged seven to seventeen years. The event was held in conjunction with the Perth Games Festival.
Our students had great success:
Aaron (Year 4) was a finalist in the Rising Star category; Sage (Year 4) was a finalist in two categories –  Invention, and Entrepreneurship and Discovery; Gemma (Year 6) was the winner of the Creativity category; and Ariel (Year 6) was the winner of the Rising Star category, she was also presented with a Leadership Award from Lyn Beazley, Coderdojo WA Patron and former WA Chief Scientist.