Principal's Report

Dear Parents and Carers,

With the holidays closing in quickly, it is a good time to reflect on the achievements from Term 2. The achievements include, but are not limited to:

• Celebrated ANZAC Day through a whole-school service and student reflection. 
• Recognised Education Week by celebrating our staff, student learning, creativity and strong home-school partnerships. 
• Acknowledged ES Appreciation Day, celebrating the significant contribution of Education Support staff across Lucas PS. 
• Participated in Reconciliation Week and National Sorry Day activities.
• Continued strengthening community connections through Kim Barne Connections sessions and family engagement opportunities. 
• Year 6 students attended the GRIP Leadership Conference, developing leadership skills. 
• The Young Authors Program was launched, providing students with opportunities to develop their writing skills and connect with authors. 
• Students participated in a range of incursions and extension opportunities including National Simultaneous Storytime, History Box activities and STEM learning experiences. 
• Conducted the Lucas PS Cross Country, with excellent student participation and achievement. 
• Students competed successfully in district and division events including: 
  • Soccer 
  • AFL 
  • Netball 
  • Cross Country 
• Year 5/6 students completed their swimming program, building confidence, skills and water safety awareness. 
• Students participated in their camp at Cave Hill Creek, providing opportunities for teamwork, resilience and personal growth.    
• Students participated in lockdown drills to reinforce emergency procedures and ensure preparedness. 

Thank you to our parents community and staff for the continued efforts to support the students to participate in such engaging learning experiences.

Year 3 and 4 Camp

This week, our Year 3 and Year 4 students have enjoyed their school camp experience at Cave Hill Creek. Our camping program provides students with valuable opportunities to develop independence, build resilience and strengthen their teamwork skills through a range of challenging and engaging activities.

Despite the wet weather, students embraced every opportunity, demonstrating fantastic attitudes, perseverance and a willingness to step outside their comfort zones. The camp also provided a wonderful opportunity for students to strengthen friendships, build social connections and create memories together.

We look forward to welcoming students back and hearing all about their adventures, achievements and favourite moments from their time away.

Year 5 and 6 Swimming

Our Year 5/6 swimming program is underway and will continue for the final two weeks of Term 2. During this time, students will be provided with swimming instruction to support water safety, awareness and stroke technique. 

Reports - Modified 

Due to the impact of the Australian Education Union (AEU) industrial action during Term 2, Semester 1 reports for 2026 will be provided in a modified format. Reports will be available to families through Compass from 25 June 2026.

While the reporting format has changed, teachers continue to assess student learning against the Victorian Curriculum and maintain a strong understanding of each student’s progress, achievements and future learning goals.

Semester 1 reports will include:

• Victorian Curriculum Progression Points for each learning area studied;
• Semester Overviews outlining the key learning undertaken throughout the semester; and

• Effort and Behaviour ratings aligned with our school expectations.

   

Generalist classroom reports will include learning areas in:

• Reading
• Writing
• Speaking and Listening
• Numeracy
• Integrated Studies

• Personal and Social Capability

   

Specialist reports will include:

• Visual Arts
• Japanese
• Performing Arts
• Physical Education

To support families in understanding their child’s progress, we will provide additional opportunities for communication and feedback. Parents and carers will be invited to attend a Three-Way Conversation on Thursday 30 July 2026 (Week 3, Term 3) to discuss student progress, celebrate achievements and identify future learning goals. Further information regarding bookings will be shared through Compass during Term 3.

Additional communication opportunities will include:

• Parent phone calls for students requiring further discussion regarding learning growth, progress or wellbeing;
• Individual Education Plan (IEP) reviews for students who have one in place, and
• Opportunities for families to contact their child’s teacher to arrange a suitable time to discuss their report if further clarification is required.

We recognise that reports are an important way of communicating student progress with families and appreciate your understanding regarding the adjusted format this semester. Our commitment remains to providing meaningful feedback, supporting student growth and maintaining strong partnerships between home and school

Playground

Excitement is in the air as work on the new nature playground began yesterday. Over the next couple of months, we will watch the space start to take shape. As a reminder, here is a look at the design.

Attendance

Thank you to all families who continue to follow our attendance procedures and ensure absences are recorded through the appropriate channels.

As a reminder, all students are expected to attend school every day between 8:45am and 3:30pm. Regular attendance and arriving on time are important for student learning, wellbeing and connection. Late arrivals and early departures can impact learning momentum, with students missing key skills, knowledge and classroom routines.

All absences, late arrivals and early departures must be communicated through one of the following approved methods:

• Submit an absence notification through Compass
• Ensure that any students arriving after 9am report to the office to be signed in by administration staff
• Phone the school office
• Email the office at lucas.ps@education.vic.gov.au
• Visit the office and speak with a member of our administration team

Please note that contacting teachers through Seesaw is not an approved pathway for reporting absences.

Thank you for your ongoing support in helping us maintain accurate attendance records and ensuring students have every opportunity to engage fully in their learning.

School Council

Our School Council met on Monday for our June Meeting. The following is a summary of the discussions and decisions:

• A financial report for the month of May
• Staffing and enrolment updates.
• Operational reports on Lucas LEAP and Java Nice Day
• A Building and Grounds report covering a playground progress update and the cleaning contract tender process.
• A fundraising report to summarise the events from the past term and those planned for Term 3.
• An education report to look at new Year Level Team termly newsletters.
• An update on the Wellbeing referral process being undertaken to establish clear pathways within the school.
• A learning report to outline professional learning being undertaken by staff across the school.

• An update on the assessment and reporting process for Semester 1 and how this has been affected by the AEU industrial action.

   

We thank our school councillors for the energy and ideas they bring to our meetings to help shape the future of the school.