Newsletter – Friday 17th February 2023

TERM 1

• Tuesday 21^st Feb – Parent / Teacher Meet & Greet 2pm – 7pm
• Monday 27^th Feb – School Council meeting 6.30pm
• Wednesday 1^st March – Parent Helper Induction Session
• Monday 13^th March – Labour Day Public Holiday
• Monday 20^th March – Wednesday 22^nd March – Year 4 Camp
• Monday 20^th March – Thursday 23^rd March – NAPLAN (Year 3 & Year 5)
• Friday 24^th March – Senior Lightning Premiership (Year 5 & 6)
• Monday 27^th March – School Council Meeting 6.30pm
• Thursday 30^th March – Bellaire Cross Country (Year 3 – Year 6)
• Thursday 6^th April – LAST DAY of TERM 1 2.30pm finish

TERM 2

• Monday 24^th April – CURRICULUM DAY
• Tuesday 25^th April – ANZAC Day Public Holiday
• Wednesday 26^th April – First day of term 2

Throughout our newsletters we will be updating you on information happening in the school and celebrating achievements of our students and community. Individual teams will provide you with information specifically targeted to your child / children’s year levels.

Our scheduled Parent/Carer meet and greet will be taking place on Tuesday 21^st February face to face in your child’s classroom. Bookings close on Sentral on Monday morning.

The Parent/Carer Meet and Greet is a terrific opportunity for you to make initial contact early in the year in communicating any important information with your child’s classroom teacher. In addition to the Meet and Greet, you will have a further opportunity to meet with your child/s classroom teacher again in Term 3 this year to review their progress, along with formal written reports in term 2 and 4.

Aside from these planned meetings, if at any stage, you would like to see your child’s classroom teacher, or another member of staff please don’t hesitate to contact the school to arrange a convenient time.

We thought it is important to introduce our leadership team for 2023 and the roles they play in the school to ensure you know who you could contact, apart from your classroom teacher, if the needs arises.

PRINCIPAL – Suzanne Prendergast

I have been at Bellaire since the end of 2019. I started at Bellaire PS as a graduate teacher straight out of university and taught at Bellaire for seven years before leaving and working in leadership positions in England, at Bright P-12 College, Collingwood College and then as Assistant Principal and then Principal at Moriac Primary School. Since returning to Bellaire PS, I have worked through the changes that Covid and Remote Learning thrust upon us with the excellent team around me. I strongly believe that when we send our children to school we send them for more than just academic reasons, these are important however so is every other aspect of our children’s development, with a focus on social and emotional development. I love working at Bellaire PS with our amazing staff and have a wonderful leadership team to work alongside.

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

Our Assistant Principal positions are divided into two areas, however they work very much as a team and either one would be able to assist parents from any year level throughout the school. Ben and Abbey are the second point of contact for parents, after the classroom teachers.

Our Assistant Principals work in areas of curriculum and wellbeing. Planning Professional Learning for teachers and overseeing the curriculum as well as a strong focus on wellbeing. They are in constant contact with our teachers about student wellbeing and are the main contact for allied health services that come into the school. Ben and Abbey are the first contact for parents in this regard. You will see Ben and Abbey around the yard before school or after school. Ben and Abbey build wonderful relationships with students in the school and ensure not only academic excellence but a level of care and support for student’s wellbeing. If you would like to make an appointment to see Ben or Abbey please contact the front office.

Prep – Year 2 – Ben Raidme – Ben primarily works with our Prep to Year 2 team. Ben has had a wealth of experience teaching throughout nearly all year levels during his teaching career. Ben came to Bellaire in 2020 from Moriac PS where he was a teacher and then Learning Specialist.

Year 3 – Year 6 – Abbey Loney – Abbey primarily works with our Year 3 – Year 6 team. Abbey also started her career at Bellaire PS where she worked for many years prior to taking family leave. Upon return Abbey taught at Chilwell PS before returning to Bellaire PS in 2021 as Assistant Principal.

LEARNING SPECIALISTS

Much like our Assistant Principals, our Learning Specialists have focused areas, however they all share an office and work as a team. We have two Curriculum based Learning Specialists and also an Inclusion Learning Specialist. The Learning Specialist have a full-time role outside of the classroom where they coach teachers in the school to ensure best practise and that the teachers are supported in their role. Our Learning Specialists attend planning meetings with the teams, run Professional Learning sessions as well as conducting observations, coach our staff and modelling teaching to continue to build teacher capacity throughout the school.

Prep – Year 2 – Lauren Rau – Lauren is an experienced teacher who has been teaching at Bellaire PS since she began her teaching career. Lauren has excellent curriculum knowledge and a great connection with the teaching staff. This is her first year in this role and she has made an amazing start.

Year 3 – Year 6 – Amanda Galluccio – Amanda is also a very experienced teacher, teaching at Moriac PS, Grovedale West PS, Bellaire PS and Chilwell PS as a Learning Specialist before returning to Bellaire PS this year. Amanda’s strong curriculum knowledge and ability to connect with others ensures an excellent coaching relationship that benefits both staff and students.

Inclusion Learning Specialist / Specialist Learning Specialist– Alex Forssman – Alex has been a regular face at Bellaire PS for many years, working as a classroom teacher, specialist teacher and now Learning Specialist. The Inclusion Learning Specialist role was created in 2022 alongside the Department of Education changes to the funding of students with additional needs. Alex works closely with families and teachers of children with additional needs to ensure the best possible education and environment is provided. Alex also works with all teachers to ensure that the learning environment is conducive to the needs of all students within the school. Furthermore, Alex also coaches our specialist teachers, with a focus on curriculum.

I am extremely lucky to work with such a dedicated and amazing group of leaders.

Just a reminder that as part of our uniform policy we ask, for students own wellbeing (including the possibility of nits), hair that is below shoulders is tied back.

We ask that everyone is kind and considerate during drop off and pick up times, particularly in the kiss and drop zone. Please note our neighbours have requested that cars do not stop and wait over driveways, including the staff car park driveway, as these driveways are still required for use during these times.

Just a reminder to all parents that students are required to have their hat at school each day. Please ensure that your child’s hat is clearly named to prevent it from going missing.

With the weather heating up and high-level UV, we encourage parents to support their child in applying sunscreen before arriving at school. Sunscreen is also available within learning areas.

A reminder to parents if your child has a medical condition (Asthma, Anaphylaxis, Diabetes etc.) Please ensure that their management plan is updated and endorsed by a GP and promptly returned to the school front office.

Do you live, work, travel through or shop in Highton?

We need your ideas as we refresh the Highton Village laneways, including the Bellevue Arcade, Village Walk and the service lane around the supermarket, following the endorsement of the Highton Urban Design Framework.

We want to make sure the area’s charm is retained while improving the visitor experience.

Have your say yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au/HVLU

Feedback closes Friday 10 March

Principal

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