I will always have fond memories of my eleven years as Teacher-Librarian at Woodend as this has been a special chapter in my “Book of Life.”

Over the years it has been my pleasure and joy to guide students in their learning journey, developing as readers, thinkers and inquirers. Fostering a love of reading and literature whilst also guiding students to develop skills and strategies which enable lifelong learning has always been my highest priority.

It has been my privilege to support all our students, from our youngest students as they start school with natural curiosity and wonder at our world, through to our oldest students as they mature and grow into innovative, imaginative, independent thinkers.

Now I start a new chapter (it’s titled “Retirement”) in my “Book of Life” and I look forward to having time to pursue my personal interests and to enjoy spending time with family and friends.

I wish to thank Woodend staff, students and school community for their invaluable support over the years. It has been so very much appreciated.

Chris Dinham

Chris has been a valued  member  of our team at Woodend; working collaboratively with all staff and closely with students in every class. During her 11 years at Woodend, our school has grown considerably and the library resources have also grown considerably.   Chris and the library team  of Sarah Buckley and Jeannette Scapens (recently retired) have had to move and reorganise teaching and reading support resources many times. Those resources have over the years been spread to several areas around the school, as spaces have been needed for various purposes and as our resources have grown.  

Chris has worked  with the Library Support  student team and has been an active promoter of reading  through her administration of  Premier’s Reading Challenge and  planning of engaging Book Week activities.  Chris has been our  leader in promoting literature and  inquiry learning.  We wish her well in her retirement and we know that she will enjoy having the time to do pursue her interests and  share more time with family and friends.

At assembly last week we announced that Chris will be  retiring on the last day of this term.  Many students and adults have already  expressed their best wishes to Chris.   We will give Chris a fitting whole school send off at the assembly  on Wednesday 17 August.