DBIS News

Festive wishes

Thursday 11 December

Dear Parents

Festive Wishes:  The end of yet another very positive term is upon us.  Our school continues to develop in a range of areas and it is particularly heartening for all involved with our school to be part of our special place -  Discovery Bay.  As you are aware, we are a community school serving a discreet geographical area.  The open nature of our school is built upon the vital communication we share together, and also upon the reciprocal support we foster and enjoy.

This is a festive season for many of our families – yet again a time to reflect on what matters.  Our school, in the simplest terms, is about people.  Our interactions are founded on treating others as you would like to be treated, working positively with others through courtesy and respect.  Thank you all for your contributions in so many ways towards the learning and development with each of our extra special students.

As our first term of this school year draws to a close, and on behalf of all of our amazing staff members, a Happy Hanukkah and a Merry Christmas to our respective families.  May the New Year offer happiness and laughter to everyone as you share your lives with others.

Staffing Changes:  We farewell Mr Huki Tait who will be leaving at the end of this term as a physical education teacher and taking on a position as a Year 3 teacher at the French International School.  Mr Tait has made a significant contribution to our school and will be missed by students and colleagues.  Mrs Kate Pennel has worked with us as a part time physical education teacher this term and will move to another part time position in Hong Kong.  Thank you to Huki and Kate for all you have given to our school.

Ms Anna Shere will be back with us next term as Deputy Principal with key responsibility for our Discovery Centre and for specialist teachers.  Mrs Laura Self returns from maternity leave to her role in the Learning Support team.  Mrs Eleanor Loran will be taking maternity leave and Mrs Granouch Minasian will be teaching Y1EL.  Mr Brendan Kean will join us to teach in our new Year 1 class at the beginning of term two and Mrs Claire Jensen will join us as the new education assistant in this class.  

Mr Matt Corbett joins us as our full time physical education teacher.  Mrs Jane Noonan, who has already been working with us, will take on a further part time role teaching physical education, ICT and music. Mrs Angela Webb joins our school as an education assistant in Primary School.  Mrs Tracy Hau joins as us an education assistant in Mandarin.  We look forward to welcoming our returning and new staff next term.  

New Year 1 Class:  As already indicated, we have an opportunity to open a new Year 1 class at the beginning of term 2.  We have one classroom space available in the coming years and we wanted to take this opportunity to decrease our significant Year 1 waiting list.  We enjoyed the company of our new parents and students of Y1BK,  who visited today, and we look forward to also welcoming them into our school family at the beginning of next term.

Year 1 Reports:  All Year 1 reports will be issued tomorrow.  Please remember that these reports are a set of summary statements on the application, progress and achievements of your child.  As always, please take the opportunity to speak with your child’s teacher for any further discussion concerning the ongoing learning and general development of your child.

International Food Fair:  Thank you all!  What an amazing response at all phases of our Food Fair.  The lead up planning and management from the organising team was brilliant.  The physical work immediately prior, on the day and after the Food Fair was thorough and coordinated.  The turnout from all of you and our wider community was simply stunning – what a fantastic day with you all here!

We set out to repeat the quality of past Food Fairs – and in so doing, our basic aim was to have a fun community day for and with our family and friends in Discovery Bay and beyond.  Your response ensured that we were able to easily exceed our hopeful expectations – well done Discovery Bay International School community!  Once again you proved that people coming together with smiles and positive interaction is possible to achieve.

Nothing on the day of our Food Fair happens by chance.  I want to acknowledge the fine work of our truly international organising team – for your time at the meetings, for your work between the meetings, on the day and after the event.  You were once again a superb group to work with:  Janet Wardle as our Food Fair coordinator and also assisting with advertising, finance and supplies; Natalia Veldman – advertising; Anette Folkmann, Sophie Granger and Mary Jones – class parent liaison and games stalls; Minoli Samarakkody – commercial stalls; Donna Travis and Carey Clahan – food stalls; Pauline Cheung – finance; Stephanie Foster – entertainment and raffle; Sarah McGill – raffle; Ian Hunt – lots of things everywhere; Tracey Smal  - staff liaison and ‘take care of it person’; Judd McLauchlan – Kindergarten liaison; Michelle Flavel and Mary Jones – advisers to the organising team; Sam Bray – pantry supplies; and to Andy Edwards, Alison Da Costa, Jonno Keefe, Angus Maxwell - for special areas of assistance leading up to and on the day.

Thank you to everyone involved with our food stalls – once again you were magnificent!  Thank you also to our wonderful class parents and to our multi talented staff.  A special thank you to Connie Ting, our office staff and all of our general staff for quietly getting things done with the lead up, on the day and with the clean up.  To anyone I have missed – my apologies, but thank you of course for your contributions.

Our raffle was a major success again this year.  All of the businesses have been thanked and they will also receive a  letter of appreciation.  Please note the list of raffle sponsors on the attached file with this newsletter.  Prizes are still available for collection at our Primary and Secondary School office.

Raising funds on this day is not the aim, nor is it a key objective.  Nevertheless, funds are generated through our Food Fair.  At this stage, we have a record surplus of just over $200,000.  Ten percent of our Food Fair income will go to our two designated school charities – the Heifer Foundation Read to Feed and World Vision.  $100,000 will be used to upgrade our Kindergarten ICT hardware (including all computers in the Kindergarten ICT suite); $30,000 will go towards music instruments, including a drum kit; the balance will be used to upgrade our sound system in the Primary / Secondary performing arts theatre.  It has been agreed by the Food Fair organising team to proceed with these purchases early in term two.

Carols By Candle Light:  Thank you to everyone able to come along for our Carols By Candle Light last Thursday.  This is an informal gathering, with our choir performing and refreshments available to spark the Christmas spirit.  We enjoyed a visit from Santa, and a fine time was enjoyed by all.

Thank you to Jane Engelmann, Jayne Shadbolt and Liz Tait for your direction of our choir.  Thank you also to Michelle Flavel and Mary Jones for your catering services and to my senior colleagues for your service above and beyond – over the counter.

Term Two Start:  A quick reminder that all classes start back at Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary on Monday 5 January.

Dress Up Reminder:  Everyone is reminded to dress up tomorrow – a Christmas theme or in red or green.  This is just a fun day dress up time.

Kind Regards

Grant Ramsay

Principal