Building Works

How exciting! We have eventually taken possession of part of our new Junior Learning centre building. It will have 4 classrooms with a gallery (shared learning space) to be built in between as in the drawing above. It has been designed to let the light in and allow indoor learning to continue in an open space. Each classroom has a door to the outside of the building and steps/ramps are being built as well as covered ways, earth works and retaining walls. We are keen to have outdoor learning spaces outside each classroom to facilitate hands-on learning activities.

Between each pair of classrooms are two toilets, a kitchen area, a store room/teacher office and a space that can be closed off into another work room (hearing reading??).  Currently, the services are being connected and the rest of the building works will commence. We don’t have a moving in date yet but we expect to be in before the end of this term. It will be the home of Prep J, Prep/1J, 1/2A and 2/3H. We will be landscaping the area around these buildings and have an eager team of volunteers poised to commence work incorporating the children’s ideas.

School Modernisation Project:

At the end of term 1, the first phase of the modernisation of the existing school building was completed. We are really thrilled with the finished work and can’t wait until we can use the rooms for the purpose for which they were built. (a large library/music room combined, a library office, a teacher work room, a conference room and a private work area for visiting staff such as the school psychologist.) Because we have now had to empty two more rooms ( 4/5 classroom and the old library) to allow Phase 2 work to commence, we have created a modified library and a temporary classroom for 4/5S in the new library space. Grade 5/6 have moved into the art room for this term.

Thanks to the fundraising team and Easter Bunny. The Easter raffle raised $600. The next fundraising event will be the mother’s day stall.

Working Bee:

Thanks to the families who attended the working bee at the end of last term. We would have liked more assistance as there are still many jobs to be completed in the school grounds. Consequently we have planned a gardening bee for Sunday 16th May and we will be encouraging other families to join in. Please put this date in your diary now.  Can you help us to finish painting in the new kitchen? We are planning to do this on Friday 30th April, during the day. Please let Michael Mietzcke or myself know if you can help.

School Camps:

 At the end of last term, our Grade 5 & 6 children went to Lake Nillahcootie camp. They all had a fabulous time thanks to the efforts of teachers Gail McIntyre, Chris Dockery and Sam Graunke.  We could not have managed without the tremendous assistance from our many parent helpers.  Thanks everyone.  This week is our grade 1 & 2 camp at Gembrook and in the third week of this term the Grade 3 & 4 children will go on a camp to Phillip Island.

Reflections:

What a busy first term we had but the end is in sight. In spite of moving classrooms, the library and many resources, we are still running camps for all Gr 1-6 children and the teachers are also having time together to carefully plan their Term 2 work. Teachers have also attended many professional development training sessions, some of which have been after school hours including Saturdays. I am always proud of the staff’s commitment to on-going learning which will benefit the children. The staff are only one part of our school community and there is so much strength and support from many of our parents in so many different ways. Thanks everyone.

News
from the
Kitchen

Can’t believe that term 1 is behind us already. Where did it go? The holidays seemed to fly by as well. The kitchen is pretty much finished with the hot water now connected. The only job left to go is getting the hot plates and stoves up and running and then it will all be happening. Our first couple of sessions went well despite all the various little challenges that presented. Thanks to Kim Keegan who was there for both sessions on the first day. Your problem solving skills and ability to just keep on smiling was very impressive and much appreciated. Luckily the 5/6 class were the first to try out the new kitchen, so what time was lost trying to get appliances working and finding where everything was, was made up by very capable kitchen skills and the ability to prepare the food quickly. By the time 3/4F stepped into the kitchen that day, things were running a bit smoother. Unfortunately in the second week, 4/5S were on camp, although some of the students from that class joined in with the Grade 3s from 2/3H. Our newest budding chefs did a fantastic job, and looked like they were having lots of fun. Thanks to Nola and Jenny Stapleton for helping out with 3/4F, and Kate Martin, Melissa Straithairn and all of Hannah Taylor’s grandparents who assisted with the Grade 3s.

 For this fortnight’s classes we will be making Garlic and Parmesan Bread, Crunchy Asian Coleslaw, Potato and Corn Fritters with Mint Yoghurt dressing and Apple and Rhubarb Crumble with custard. From the garden we will be using a variety of herbs as well as cabbage, spring onions, potatoes and rhubarb. If we are lucky enough to find some Jerusalem Artichokes and some ripe figs, we will put them to good use as well.

 Happy cooking …. Simone

$2 million grant to modernise Kallista Primary School.

This is very exciting news! We have received a grant of $2,000,000 from combined state and federal funding. Our local State government member, James Merlino, has worked with us for the past 5 years to promote our cause. He said “Kallista will now have buildings that match the quality of its educational program and support its great connection to the community.”  Building works are planned to start this year and there has already been a lot of action. We have been assigned a project manager and architect who have visited us and are working on concepts for our consideration. Teams of engineers and other associated professionals are also involved and have already been surveying the site.

The main priority for us is to have larger classrooms and more space to allow the children to work in a hands-on manner. We cannot rebuild our whole school for this amount of money but there are many exciting ideas to consider. To work within budget we are looking at modifying the current building by moving walls and re-arranging spaces. To maintain 7 classrooms, we will need to either extend the current building or build additional classrooms. Discussions are taking place with involvement of staff and overseen by School Council. If you would like to be involved or have some ideas to contribute, please contact me.  Everything is happening very fast at the moment.

Open Day and Kitchen Garden Week: This year Kitchen Garden Week 18th – 22nd May,  has been combined with Education Week. On Open Day we will be showcasing our kitchen and garden classes in action for you to come and see. You will be able to wander through the school from 9.30 am to 12 pm and our programs taking place.

Click here -Kallista-Open Day Poster

School Camps: Last week, our Grade 3 & 4 children had a great time at the Flinders Camp. This camp has an activity focus with the children doing a beach walk on the first day then a range of camp activities on the following days. The Grade 5 & 6 children went to camp at Beechworth staying at the “Old Priory”. Their camp has a “history” theme which was an extension of their class unit of work on the first gold discoveries in Australia. You will see from their reports that they keenly lapped up the history found in Beechworth.

To allow camps to take place, the staff need to work as a team and plan every minute of the camp day and night. I would like to thank the teachers and camp parents for their commitment and time.  Without this support, camps would not be possible. Teachers value the relationships that are strengthened during camp as they get to know the children even better. Each child is an individual and each child’s welfare is paramount to us at Kallista. As principal, I am proud of my hard working staff who are so genuinely caring for every child. A school is as good as the quality of its teachers and the fact that Kallista Primary’s positive reputation is spreading, reaffirms the quality of our teachers.