On Wednesday, Mrs Innis visited 1/2 Red and they showed her their wonderful ‘Post Office’ play area. The children asked if she would write them a letter so she asked them to think about any questions they might have so she could write to them and provide answers. Here are some of them!

Adalyn and Isabel asked:

What’s your favourite thing about school?

My favourite thing about our school is all the wonderful people in it! I especially love how our students are so respectful, kind and resilient. Our teachers care about the work they do and our community support each other in every way they can.

What’s your actual name?

My actual name is ‘Kelly’, but my friends and family call me Kel. My mum usually only calls me Kelly when I'm in trouble!

What’s your favourite class?

I don’t have a favourite class, but I do love popping in on the LiL classes and seeing all the wonderful future students!

Leo and Marissa asked:

How do you plan all of the playgrounds?

The leadership team get together weekly and help me make final decisions about our school, however, we always ask the students and families what they would like to see happen in our playgrounds. Our most recent addition (up behind the Kitchen Garden) came from a suggestion from our SRC ?

How do you look after the school?

Looking after a big school like this is a team effort. I have a wonderful team who help me! Libby, Tam and Jodi in the office help with all the administration, Ms Osborne, Miss Hudson, Mrs Hoult and Mrs Curran make sure our teachers have access to the best teaching and learning, and Brett, Linda and Barry make sure our school is clean, tidy and full of wonderful play spaces, all our TA’s help out our teachers and of course there are all the wonderful teachers who look after you guys!

How do you know everyone on the school?

It’s such a privilege to work in a school this size because I can get to know so many wonderful young people. I have been a part of this school community for over 13 years, so I am very familiar with most of our families. I also try to get to know the LiL and Kinder students every year before they come over to ‘the big school’ and this makes it easier each year. Sometimes I get confused though - especially when you guys have big growth spurts over the holidays!  

Luca and Hugo asked:

How do you put everyone in a class?

We have a very special computer program that helps us sort the classes so that there is a good mix of friendship groups, abilities and gender balance.

How did you end up a principal?

I was fortunate to work in some schools early in my career where I had a lot of wonderful role models and I was able to act in leadership positions. I decided early that I wanted to make a difference by becoming a leader in the school.

How do you remember everyone’s name?

I try to find a word that begins with the same letter of everyone’s name that reminds me of them- it works most of the time but it’s hard when there are multiple people with the same name in each grade!

When did the School get built?

Our school was built 66 years ago!

Albie and Archer asked:

Do you give Money to the grownups?

I don’t personally give the staff money but the education department pay all the adults to work in our school.

Are you scared of talking in front of the school?

Sometimes I get nervous before assemblies, but it helps to see lots of the smiling faces immediately in front of me.

When did people start going to this school?

1955!

Evelyn and Maci asked:

Why did you shave your head?

To raise money for Blood Cancer awareness. Some of my close family and friends have been affected and I would love to see a cure discovered soon. Shaving my head in front of the school was lots of fun!

Who picked you to be the principal?

I had to write an application to the Department of Education and then I was granted an interview with a panel of my peers, a representative of the School Association as well as the DoE Director of School Improvement.

How many times did you be a teacher?

I was a teacher for 15 years before I became a principal. I was a high school Drama and English teacher at Queechy High School, Reece High School, Bridgewater High School, Oatlands District School and then a 5/6 teacher at Lindisfarne Primary School!

How long have you been a principal?

I won my first Principal Job at a tiny school called Collinsvale Primary School in 2015. I was there for two years and then was at Lindisfarne North Primary School for 12 months before I came back to LPS in 2018!

How many people are in this school?

374 students from Kinder to Grade 6.

How many teachers are in this school?

Currently we have 29 teachers and 15 Teacher Assistants.

Joseph and Isla asked:

When is the new playground going to be open?

Hopefully within the next two weeks!

Why is the netball court so big?

There are actually two netball courts!