2010 will be a very exciting year for Old Orchard Primary School. We returned to work to find some significant changes. The former staff carpark and the site of nine classrooms in 2009 has been completely cleared in preparation for the construction of our new building. Sadly we have lost the beautiful native garden and trees that adjoined Koonung Road, but we look forward to creating new gardens in the future. In particular, we will watch with interest and anticipation as our new building gradually takes shape. In the meantime, the temporary relocation of the three ‘double’ and four ‘single’ portable classrooms has created a wonderful community courtyard space for students to utilise and is also a great meeting place for parents at either end of the school day.

We commenced the school year with 546 students, far exceeding our previous highest enrolment and our 100 new Preps made a fabulous transition to school on their first day. The year started very smoothly and all involved are to be congratulated on their commitment to achieving this outcome.

We welcome a number of new staff members to Old Orchard in 2010:

Lynne Baker (Prep B), Tony Ryan (34T), Carrie Blunden (12B), Jenny Flower (12F) and Fionnuala Cashen (56F). In addition, we have a new Canteen Manager, Christina Georgopoulos and new cleaners, Sue and Sebastian Fazzino.

We extend a very warm welcome to all new members of the Old Orchard community.