Moonah Primary School

Derwent Park Road, Moonah, TAS, 7009

Ph (03) 6272 9868 Fax (03) 6272 1035
Email
moonah.primary@education.tas.gov.au

Reference David Koniuchiwskyj

To Whom it May Concern,

David has been employed as a Year 3/4 classroom teacher at Moonah Primary School for 2016/17. He is
a talented, innovative teacher who has demonstrated initiative, leadership and an endless enthusiasm
for making learning meaningful and engaging.

The organised, inviting and visually appealing classroom environment, which David creates with his
students, ensures the students own and respect their learning environment. David gives his time
generously to make the classroom a place where children want to be. For example, to provide an
engaging literacy learning environment, the classroom has been transformed into a circus ring, a tropical
island, campfire setting and plane, just to name a few engaging learning environments that David has
created.

Davids calm, supportive and empathetic manner enables him to build strong, trusting relationships with
students and staff. He values diversity and is strongly supportive of children from challenging and diverse
backgrounds. His classes have had many children with complex behavioural challenges and David has
been able to develop strong relationships with every individual in his care, taking extra time to support
and understand their social, emotional and intellectual needs. He has carefully developed a calm, safe
and supportive learning environment using a restorative approach. He has also developed and
maintained open communication processes with the students parents and carers.

David is a responsible, collaborative team member. He listens attentively and supports his colleagues
with their thinking and planning. He has planned detailed inquiry units with appropriately paced learning
sequences that connect to the Australian Curriculum. Davids avid knowledge and interest in science is
evident in the inquiry units he has planned. His students have opportunities to engage in hands on
learning and have developed a curiosity about the world around them. He is able to differentiate the
learning to suit the learning needs of all his class members.

Throughout this year and last, David has participated in our whole school professional learning on
spelling, vocabulary, problem solving in mathematics, STEM, Tribes and Restorative Practices. On each
occasion David has immediately implemented new ideas and practices in his classroom that support
identified student learning needs. For example, creating a dynamic word wall to support vocabulary and
spelling, using hot reads to develop a reading culture in his classroom.

David has been an active participant in our school action research project on Mindfulness. Working
collaboratively with his collegial research team during term 3, David used his extensive technology skills
to design and create a website, pause@moonah.weebly.com, so the team could share their research and
recommendations with the whole school. This work has the potential to significantly impact the school
behaviour management processes.

David has offered to take on roles above and beyond any expectation of teachers at our school. He has
shown leadership in the arts and in sport. In first term David initiated an after school basketball group.
These sessions were well organised, and provided a positive and rewarding experience for those
involved. The following term David offered his knowledge and skills in the area of the arts. He initiated
an after school art group which he held one afternoon after school for the entire term. The sessions
quickly booked out. Those who had the opportunity became more knowledgeable artists and grew in
self-confidence. David has also been one of the schools First Aid officers for the year. He has willingly
given up his recess and lunch breaks to provide first aid in a calm and sensitive manner as required.

David has made an exceptional contribution to Moonah Primary School. I highly recommend David as an
educator and a future leader in the field of education. His calm manner, passion for making a difference
and educational initiative are an inspiration.

Kind regards,

Christine Topfer
Assistant Principal
Moonah Primary School