ASHBY: ALWAYS STRIVING TO EXCEL

FROM THE PRINCIPAL
We certainly had a wonderful evening last Thursday celebrating the graduation of our Grade 6 cohort.  Students presented a great movie/slide show they developed and performed to parents and friends.  Congratulations to all students receiving awards (see listed). 
 
It was exciting to see the students spending time with their new teachers for 2020 last Friday.  We had a lovely day to celebrate the end of the year down at the waterfront and farewelled our new preps from their final transition session, prior to joining us permanently next year.
 
After 18 months of building works and planning, next year we will be occupying all of our new learning spaces! This will see all classrooms for 2020 housed in the main building in learning spaces that are flexible, open, and collaborative. We can’t wait to see them in action. 
 
In forward planning for 2020 we have undertaken a lot of work to ensure classes are the best possible fit for our school community. The classing structure for next will be as follows;

There will be a Prep/One/Two Professional Learning Community, whereby all staff in this area will plan together using data from the whole cohort.  The Prep and Prep/One class will occupy the two open plan classrooms at the centre of the main building.  The 1/2 classes will occupy the two classrooms closest to the staffroom and administration wing.  Students are to preferably enter these classrooms from the brown door under the shelter, at the back of the hall.

Prep – Ana Trupkovic (4 days), Kathy Hyland (1 day)
Prep/One – Jemimah Welsh (3 days) and Natalie Biscan (2 days)
1/2 A – Kate Suter
1/2 B – Lorraine Sawyer 
 
In the senior school we will see a 3-6 Professional Learning Community. In the new classrooms that housed the 1/2 cohort this past 6 months, there will be a partnership between Cory Owens, Kaitlin Mair and Wayne Holloway teaching two 3/4 classes and a 4/5 class. These classes will work closely and collaborate with the two Grade 5/6 classes and align their Inquiry topics and many other learning activities throughout the year.

3/4 A – Cory Owens
3/4 B – Wayne Holloway
4/5 A – Kaitlin Mair
5/6 A – Jordyn Hoiles (2.5 days) and Mary Slade (2.5 days)
5/6 B – Angela Walsh (4 days) and on a Friday, Gavin Dowling
 
Specialist Classes will be as follows:-
Corrie Barclay – Physical Education F-6
Gavin Dowling – Performing Arts F-6
Kathy Hyland – Visual Arts F-6
Georgia Mellross – Indonesian (although will be replaced when on Family Leave) F-6
 
We are really looking forward to showing everyone through the newly renovated building where we will certainly have a dedicated opening in the new year.
 
Thank you to those families volunteering to water over the holidays, it is greatly appreciated. As has been stated many times throughout the year and in the past, our great school cannot function without our amazing volunteers, so again, thank you. In following on, we are always looking for volunteers to support the school for various roles therefore if anyone can support Mrs. Hyland this week in preparing the Art Room for 2020, it would be greatly appreciated. 
 
 
 
Meg Bone
Principal Ashby Primary School
1-7 Waratah Street, Geelong West, 3219
52231291

• Ashby Medallions were presented by Lori Pereira to School Captains - Timothy & Scarlett. Vice-Captains Nate & Lucy.
• Amanda Heitmann presented Junior School Council Medallion to Ava McMahon Jones
• Mr Corrie Barclay presented the Richard Marles award to Mary for her consistent display of initiative and willingness to support members of the Ashby community.
• Freda Wright presented the Rotary Award ‘CIVICS AND CITIZENSHIP’ to Grace for her consistent demonstration of the Ashby TERRI values through caring and being compassionate to all members of the school community.
• Christine Couzens gave the ALL ROUNDER Award to Lila for her consistent display of initiative to assist others across all areas of the Ashby community.
• Mrs Mary Slade presented the SPORT Victoria SSV Medallion - Ava for demonstrating excellence in achieving state representation for Cross Country, excellent achievement in literacy and numeracy, and demonstrating leadership whilst carrying out the responsibility of being a JSC leader
• Mr Gavin Dowling presented the  Community Involvement Award to Rihanna for making valued contributions to the Geelong West community, through participating in local sports including football and netball.
• NGSC Academic Scholarship went to Ryan for showing a high level of motivation towards his learning and leadership opportunities including House Captain.
• Mrs Ange Walsh Presented - Outstanding contribution to STEM  to Olivia for her passion for engineering, science technology and mathematics, and being an ambassador for girls in STEM.

Ashby's Junior School Council has had a fantastic year, ending with the Kids Helpline and One Care Christmas Hamper fundraisers. On Monday 9th December the 1/2 classes all had Zooper Doopers from OneCare as a thank you for their generous donations of items to the OneCare Hampers. Today the Prep class had hot chips with their lunch in celebration of their awesome 5c coin collection for Kids Helpline. In total Ashby collected 5104 five cent pieces. With some other coins included, $262.40 was donated to Kids Helpline. Thank you everyone!

Over the year, JSC's fundraising total was $1031.00, with events for: River's Gift wear blue/casual dress (Term 1, $177.40); Royal Children's Hospital pyjama day (Term 2, $238.20); Legacy Week (Term 3, $147); Footy Colours Day (Term 3, $206); and Kids Helpline (Term 4, $262.40). In addition to these, there were three fundraisers collecting items for people in need within the local community: Road Home Project (Term 2); Toucan Appeal (Term 3); and OneCare Christmas Hampers (Term 4). 

Last Friday at assembly all members of Junior School Council received certificates in recognition of their efforts over the year. Ava, the Junior School Council Leader, thanked the school community for such wonderful support of the Junior School Council events. 

Thank you again from Junior School Council for all who supported them throughout the year!