Hello Families,

We are over halfway through the term, and our students have already achieved so much! A big thank you to our Year 2 students for hosting a fantastic assembly last week, it was wonderful to see their confidence and enthusiasm on stage.

It has been truly heartwarming to see our older students embracing the role of mentors and friends to our younger and new members of our school community. With lots of little people learning big school routines and navigating our large playground spaces, their support has made a real difference. A special shout-out to Taylor Gavin-Brownell in Year 5, as well as Asha Wilson and Claudia Komorowski from Year 6, for going above and beyond to help our younger students feel safe, confident, and included. Their kindness and leadership have not gone unnoticed!

We have also welcomed many new enrolments from families all over the world, enriching our vibrant and diverse community. To all our new students and families—Swagatham, Swagat, Swagat Cha, and Welkom!  We hope you find a strong sense of belonging here at Charles Weston School. Next term, we’re also looking forward to restarting our partnership with the Multicultural Youth Hub. This fantastic initiative provides free after school activities that celebrate our diverse cultures and create opportunities for families to connect, share traditions, and build friendships. We can’t wait to see the rich cultural exchange that continues to make our community so special!

Looking ahead, we are excited for our swimming carnival tomorrow, a fantastic opportunity for students to have fun, challenge themselves, and support their peers! Thank you to our PE Teacher Matt O’Dwyer for his diligent preparation and running of the event.

Car Park Safety – A Shared Responsibility

Lately, we’ve had an increase in parent concerns about unsafe behaviours in our car park, including illegal parking, children running across roads, and drivers not wearing seatbelts. These actions pose serious risks to student safety and are against the law. If you witness unsafe behaviour, please report it to the appropriate authorities to help keep our students safe.

There are several ways to make pick-up and drop-off smoother and safer:
✔️ Arrive a little earlier to find a legal parking spot.
✔️ Park further down Madgwick Street and walk to the gate.
✔️ Use the designated drop-off and pick-up zones.
✔️ Consider organising a ‘walking bus’ with other families; a supervised group walk to school that rotates adult responsibility.

Most importantly, please ensure your child understands your pick-up arrangements clearly each day. Thank you for working together to prioritise the safety of our school community.

Exciting Learning in our Units of Inquiry

One of the things I love most about the IB programme is how our teachers create authentic and meaningful learning experiences that students will remember for life.

Our Year 6 teaching team recently undertook professional learning in STEM, focusing on 3D printing technology. Their hard work has paid off, and they have secured a 3D printer to enhance their upcoming How the World Works Unit of Inquiry! This will give students hands-on experience in designing and creating, deepening their understanding of technology and innovation.

In addition, some of our students had the incredible opportunity to attend a special International Women’s Day event with Katherine Bennell-Pegg, the first person to qualify as an astronaut under the Australian flag. Katherine shared her journey towards achieving her childhood dream and her work with the Australian Space Agency. Events like these inspire our students to aim high and see the possibilities in STEM careers.

Staffing Update – A Fond Farewell to Bianca Bailetti

It is with both gratitude and sadness that we farewell our Deputy Principal, Bianca Bailetti, as she embarks on an exciting new role at North Ainslie School.

Bianca has been a dedicated and knowledgeable leader, serving our school community for several years in both Executive Teacher and Deputy Principal roles. Her impact has been profound, particularly in leading the implementation of the IB Primary Years Programme. She has strengthened our capacity to deliver engaging, authentic, and rigorous Units of Inquiry, ensuring rich learning experiences for our students.

A passionate advocate for holistic student development, Bianca has championed the Learner Profile Attributes and Approaches to Learning, helping students grow as knowledgeable, principled, and reflective learners. She has also played a key role in supporting educators, building professional learning resources, and mentoring staff to deliver high-quality IB learning. Her leadership has fostered a strong culture of professional growth, collaboration, and innovation.

In Early Education, Bianca has been a fierce advocate for student development and safety, ensuring our practices align with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and the laws and regulations that govern early childhood care. Her commitment to high standards in child safety and wellbeing has strengthened our approach, creating an inclusive and engaging learning environment where our youngest learners can thrive. Beyond her leadership, Bianca’s fun personality is always a treat in Preschool. She brings stories to life with her animated expressions and gestures, making storytime a truly magical experience for our students.

Beyond her professional expertise, Bianca is known for her love of coffee, her creativity, and her ability to think big. She forms deep, meaningful connections with students, families, and staff, leaving a lasting impact on our community. Personally, I have deeply valued her wisdom, support, and leadership, and I know she will be greatly missed.

Once a permanent Principal is appointed, they will lead the process of recruiting Bianca’s replacement. In the meantime, one of our fantastic teachers will step into an Executive Teacher position to support our priorities and ensure continuity for students and families.

We invite any community member who knows Bianca to come to a special assembly on her last day!

 Monday 17th March at 2:15pm 

in our School Hall. 

Please be seated by 2:10pm. We hope to see you there!

New Staff Introduction

Hello Charles Weston School Families!

My name is Pema Tshomo, and I am a Family Engagement Worker with Wellbeing in Schools Team at ACT Education Directorate. I am passionate about supporting students and families to create a positive school experience.

I speak Dzongkha, English, Nepali, Hindi, Urdu and I like to read. Communication and connection are at the heart of my work, and I strive to ensure that every student and family feels heard and supported.

As a school social worker, I provide voluntary support to students and their families when challenges at home or school affect their ability to engage in education. This includes issues like family conflict, mental health concerns, grief, and other stresses that impact wellbeing.

My role involves attending school meetings, connecting families with community resources, and helping address barriers to school attendance. I also work closely with teachers, caregivers, and families to provide guidance and create tailored support plans to help students thrive.

I am onsite at Charles Weston School Mondays and Thursdays, and I look forward to working with you and the school community throughout 2025. 

Thank you, as always, for being a wonderful part of our school community. I look forward to sharing more information with you in our week 9 newsletter!

Kind regards,

Maz Smith

Principal