With teachers returning to Galen on Tuesday it never quite feels right until the students arrive and with 206 new Year 7 students streaming through the gates on Thursday we soon knew it was time for the new year to begin. The students were welcomed by Miss Lee, Mr Arcuri, Mr Mason, Mr Sullivan and Mr Neal and then sent off to meet with their homeroom teachers for the rest of the morning. During period 3 and 4 the Year 7 students were given their first taste of classes and then spent the afternoon enjoying some time at the Olympic swimming pool which was much appreciated considering the 40 degree temperature on the day.

On Friday it was time to welcome back the Year 8 students. Everyone looked well rested and ready to take on the challenges of the year ahead. The main message for these students was that it was their time to step up and become the leaders of the Junior school a task which they are well equipped to succeed at. Mr Neal also reminded students of the requirement to be in full and correct school uniform, a message not new to parents and students.

We would like to take this opportunity to welcome a number of new or returning homeroom teachers to the Junior school. Miss Megan Webster, Miss Lauren Wilson, Mr Nick Beattie, Mrs Amanda White, Mr Gerard Sullivan, Mrs Nicole Nixon and Mrs Deidre Turner. We wish them all the best for the year ahead.

Another new face in the Junior school Executive is Mrs Rebecca Hernandez who is the new Year 8 Co-Ordinator. Rebecca has experience as a previous welfare Co-Ordinator at Galen, she has travelled overseas to teach and worked in the wine industry. Her main methods are Science and Psychology. We look forward to working with Rebecca this year and wish her luck in her new role.

For those of you with students in Year 9 you will be aware that Miss Jessica Clarke left us at the end of the Year to move to Melbourne. Jessica has commenced her new position as Year 9 Co-Ordinator at Sacre Coure in Glen Iris and is enjoying the challenges that this change presents.

A reminder to parents on how to contact teachers via email.

Firstname.lastname@galen.vic.edu.au

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.