Message from the Principal Team
Week 7 & 8 Term 1 2025
Dear CNPS Families,
Great Lee Street Fete – Wow, what a day. I now understand why as a community you state proudly ‘best day of the year’! I was blown away by the character of the CNPS community on Sunday. The spirit of togetherness and comradery was wonderful. As I stated at the conclusion of the fete, I am reluctant to begin thanking people individually, as I am fearful of missing out on acknowledging someone. I do need to highlight Catherine Doggett, who was supposedly not coordinating the fete in 2025, and yet she did. Catherine you are an amazing organiser who can rally humans to a great cause. Thank you for your leadership and professional manner in running the fete this year. The CNPS community is indebted to you. Can I also please thank Erica Slocombe and the logistics team for all your work, particularly the last minute changes to account for the weather. Finally, the CNPS team. You are an amazing group of colleagues who are dedicated to your students and workplace. Can I please acknowledge Trish and Gaby for all your work pre-fete, during and after. Thank you to all community members for your time and gracious effort.
School Council Elections
On Wednesday 19 March 2025 the school council elections concluded. Counting of the votes took place this morning (Thursday 20 March 2025) and I am pleased to announce the following parents/carers were elected to school council for a two-year term.
Alison Knott
Charles Perry
Hazell Opoz
Clare London
Can I please thank all the nominees for their willingness to serve on the CNPS school council. At the next school council meeting (Wednesday 26 March 2025) office bearers will be appointed to the position of President, Vice President and Treasurer.
CNPS School Value – Respect
Giving and receiving respect from others is important because it helps us to feel safe and express ourselves. Being respected by other people in our lives, teaches us how to respect. Respect means that you accept somebody for who they are, even when they might be different from you. Respect in your relationship builds feelings of trust, safety and wellbeing.
Staff at Carlton North Primary School, including teachers, education support staff, office staff, the Assistant Principal/s and Principal are committed to providing a positive and supportive learning and wellbeing environment for all our students. Staff take their work very seriously and feel privileged to be able to play an important role in each child’s education
All staff at Carlton North Primary School have a right to a safe and supportive work environment, and we expect that parents/carers and visitors behave in an appropriate and respectful manner at all times.
Professional Learning
Phonics Education
Erin Brown (Assistant Principal – Learning) has been reviewing CNPS approaches to literacy. It should be stated from the outset that at CNPS we teach phonics (letters and sounds). With that said, the review Erin is conducting is looking closely at ways to support our teachers to enhance our phonics programs with professional learning opportunities and resources. Erin has been visiting other schools and recently spent the day with Cath McLardy who is an education consultant and literacy coach.
DAYS
Yesterday (Wednesday 19 March 2025), the Principal Class team attend the second Darebin and Yarra school’s principal network meeting for the year. The meeting provided the team with an opportunity to continue to review the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model (VTLM 2.0), taking time to complete a deeper analysis of elements of learning and the elements of teaching. CNPS teachers will be increasing their knowledge of the updated model in the months ahead and how we incorporate this framework into the CNPS Instructional Model for teaching and learning.
Support and celebrate neurodiversity
Neurodiversity Celebration Week, from Monday 17 March to Sunday 23 March 2025, and Autism Acceptance Month in April are chances to celebrate and support diverse learners, and reflect on how your school is meeting their needs.
About neurodiversity
Neurodiversity is an inclusive term that recognises natural differences in how we all think, process information and communicate. Most children’s brains develop in ways that are seen as typical for their age and stage.
About one in 5 children has variations in their brain development. These variations include those seen in autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia and dyscalculia. These children can be described as ‘diverse’ learners.
Neurodiversity Celebration Week
Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a worldwide initiative that celebrates the strengths and talents of people who think and learn differently. It reminds us of the importance of being kind, accepting and inclusive of everyone.
Autism Acceptance Month
Autism Acceptance Month in April is a chance to celebrate, support and include autistic students. It is an offshoot of the United Nation’s sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day, which is marked on Wednesday 2 April 2025.
Food Sharing
At Carlton North Primary School, food is not to be shared/swapped between children, however, we understand throughout the year there are occasions where sharing of food between students does happen, for example:
- Class Parties- Cultural Days- Sports Days- Fundraising Days- Class Rewards or Maths lessons- End of Year Celebration- Easter Eggs - Forgotten Lunch - Students provided rice cakes by school
If you are planning on sending food to school for one of the above reasons, please ensure you supply an ingredients list. This will support staff managing students with food allergies. Parents of students who have food allergies are encouraged to speak with classroom teachers about supplying alternate ‘special’ foods during celebrations.
Roof Maintenance Project Update
During the next two weeks, building companies specialising in roof maintenance will be visiting CNPS to inspect the karawun and marnerlong buildings. The visits are part of the tender process for the roof maintenance works. CNPS looks forward to a contractor being appointed to complete these important works.
Division and Regional Swimming
Congratulations to Felix, Elliot, Oscar P, Marco and Oscar W who represented CNPS at both the division and regional swimming over the last two weeks. We are incredibly proud of your efforts. What a wonderful personal and team achievement.
Before and After School Supervision
A reminder to parents/carers that CNPS staff are on duty at 8.45am each school day and until 3.45pm after school concludes. TeamKids offers before school care from 7am each day and after school care until 6.30pm.
Hats/Sunscreen
As we enter Autumn the sun continues to shine, it is important that students have a hat to wear during recess and lunch. If you would like to purchase a hat, please contact the office. We also ask that families ensure students apply sunscreen at home before attending school. We do have some sunscreen supplies at school should students need to reapply during the day.
School – Home Partnership
The hallmark of a strong school-home partnership is open and respectful dialogue, that embodies the school values. Please feel free to reach out to Jane, Erin, Trish or I should you have any questions or queries as the term progresses.
Warm Regards,
Matthew Ferguson
Principal