This year has provided our students with opportunities to demonstrate the values of our school. Many times during the year our students have demonstrated respect, perseverance, leadership, courage and commitment and kindness and consideration. I am proud to be Principal of a school where these values are upheld. Well done to you all.

I would like to acknowledge two staff members who are leaving Duncraig Primary School at the end of this year. To Miss Beedie and Mr Axton I thank you both for your contributions to Duncraig Primary School and wish you all the best for the future. We welcome new staff members Mrs Rebekah Rossi, Ms Tarryn Stewart and Mrs Nadine Jackson to Duncraig Primary School in 2021.

I would like to acknowledge all of the members of the school board and in particular to the Board Chair Dr Becker for her support. To Karol Jones, President of the P&C, your executive committee and hardworking members, your outstanding contributions and hard work to our school this year have been very much appreciated by myself and the staff.

To all of the wonderful staff of Duncraig Primary School. This year has thrown them many curve balls such as the short time frame that they had to change from face to face teaching and learning to online teaching and learning. But every time a curve ball was thrown they took it in their stride, collaborated together and supported one another. This includes all of the education assistants, cleaners and gardeners. Last but not least the front office staff, Mrs Ryan and Mrs Hutchinson who are at the front line of all enquiries from the school community. Thank you so much for your hard work and the support you have shown me.

Finally to my two Deputies, Mrs Stewart and Miss Clegg. I have almost finished my first full school year at Duncraig Primary School. I have been extremely lucky to have the both of you. You are both passionate and dedicated educators, who, like me, place the child at the forefront of every decision we make. All decisions made this year have been made with our students’ at the front and centre.  Your support along the way has been very much appreciated.

Congratulations

I would like to congratulate the following students who have been selected as either School Councillors or Faction Captains for 2021.

School Councillors	Faction Captains
Lucy S	Green: Cooper D and Kate J
Isla Mc
Julia S	Red: Rowan B and Mackenzie B
Matheo B
Kade M	Gold: Caomhin D and Leo E
Sam D

I would also like to acknowledge the outstanding efforts of one of our students. Two weeks ago Wojtek competed in the “Open Bic” States Silver Fleet event and finished in second place! An outstanding achievement. Both he and his brother Maciek belong to the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club. Congratulations Wojtek!

World Soil Day

On Friday 4 December the Kindy children celebrated World Soil Day in our Kitchen Garden.  This involved some exploration of the worm farm, learning about the Kitchen Garden including the compost area, and even learning about some chicken visitors.  The children learnt about what is needed to care for worms and the value they bring to nature and the garden. Ms Dawson came to visit us and helped the children to feed the garden. Thank you to Mrs McKenzie, one of our parents, for all her support in organising the actives for the morning.

 

Combined Schools Band

Congratulations to the Combined Schools Band on an entertaining performance at Glengarry on Friday, December 4th. The students from Duncraig PS, Glengarry PS and Duncraig SHS combined into a ‘mega band’ to play a selection of Christmas favourites. Thank you to the students and staff who worked hard all term to prepare for the performance!

Year 6 Camp

Miss Beedie, Mrs Garcia and Mrs Jones took their year 6 students on camp to Ern Halliday Camp site in Sorrento from Wednesday 2 December to Friday 4 December. They began the day by walking from school to the camp site, stopping along the way for a well-deserved snack. Thank you to Mr Garcia who kindly transports the students’ luggage to the camp. The students had three days jam packed full of activities that included the flying fox, the big swing, the pump track, archery and team building activities on the beach. Night time activities included a quiz night and movie night. I spent a few hours with them on the Thursday and they were having a wonderful time trying out new things. I would like to acknowledge the enormous amount of work that Mrs Garcia, Mrs Jones and Ms Beedie went into organising the camp. I am sure it was appreciated by all the students. Thanks also to Mr Orzel and Mr Zanatta for spending a night each with the students at the camp.

In closing I would like to wish the entire Duncraig Primary School Community a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Students return to school on Monday 1 February 2021. Have a safe and enjoyable holiday!

Regards

Lyn Dawson