Mr Cheng’s Farewell to the Australia Street Infants School Community
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
I am writing to inform you that over the past week I have been offered an appointment to a senior promotions position of Principal Grade 2** at Seaforth Public School. After much consideration of this opportunity and upon lengthy reflection on the 8 years I have guided the community of Australia Street Infants School, I have with mixed emotions accepted the appointment. I am very excited by the opportunity this new position brings however in equal measure will greatly miss the Australia Street Infants School community of staff, students and parents.
I would like to extend my most sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Australia Street Infants School community where it has been a privilege to work with such an amazing staff, wonderful children and supportive parents. I have forged many friendships with staff and parents alike with whom I have shared wonderful moments of joy and laughter as well as indelible memories of significant achievements and events where I have always been buoyed and encouraged by the generosity of our shared spirit, determination, support, trust and commitment which has underpinned my time as Principal at Australia Street Infants School.
I have very fond memories and a strong emotional connection to our beautiful little school where I started my first Principalship at Australia Street Infants School in 2004 with 53 K-2 students, 17 Pre-School students, Lennox House, 4 teachers and big aspirations and dreams for what the school could be and is now. I feel over this time as a close community we have celebrated many significant achievements far beyond what could have been expected by such a small little school which fills me with a great sense of pride and achievement. As such I feel that Australia Street Infants School is well placed for the next Principal to build upon the outstanding qualities and successes of our school and forge the next chapter in the schools vibrant story.
I will be commencing my new role as Principal of Seaforth Public School on Monday week 3, 7th May 2012. Prior to commencing the role I will be engaging in talks with the School Education Director, Mr Gavin Patterson, Kylie Webber, Assistant Principal and ASSCO President, Mr Paul DeSouza to ensure a smooth transition to the relieving Principal arrangements that will be put in place from week 3. It is anticipated the process for the formal recruitment of the position will commence towards the end of the term.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email me at Bernard.cheng@det.nsw.edu.au or Kylie Webber at Kylie.Webber@det.nsw.edu.au or Paul DeSouza at p.desouza@unsw.edu.au where we will be more than happy to discuss with you any concerns or comments you may have.
Finally as I prepare to bid the community farewell … I will always remember my time at Australia Street as the little school that dared to dream and touched the stars.
With Kindest regards
Mr. Bernard Cheng: Principal.
** Principal positions are classified from Grade 6 being the entry level to Grade 1 being the most senior. Grade 1 positions are relatively few with Grade 2 being the most common senior position. By way of reference, Australia Street Infants School is a Principal Grade 5 School with 113 students, Newtown Public School a Grade 4 school with 280 students and Seaforth Public School being a Grade 2 school features 2 campuses with a student population of 500 students and teaching staff of 4 Assistant Principals and 24 Teachers.