Message from Principal Sarah

Term 4 is always one of the busiest periods of the school year, and it’s hard to believe we are already well past the halfway point. The term has begun with wonderful energy, marked by many celebrations and achievements — and there is still plenty more to come! 

Please continue to check Compass regularly to stay updated on key information and upcoming dates, including:

• Year 3 Camp at Forest Edge

• Swimming Program

• 2026 Prep Transition Program & Whole School Transition Day

• Year 6 End-of-Year Events

Year 3 Camp

We wish our Year 3 students all the best as they head off on their very first adventure camp today. We’re certain they’ll enjoy an exciting experience filled with fun and lifelong memories. We look forward to hearing all their stories when they return! Please refer to the Compass posts for departure times for each group.

Student Swimming Program 

Our swimming program will take place in Weeks 8 and 9. Students will be developing important water safety knowledge and swimming skills during their sessions at the local pool. Families should now have received a Compass event notification with the required consent forms. 

Swimming Dates:

• Prep – Year 2 and Year 4: 24–28 November

• Year 3, 5 and 6: 1–5 December

If you are available to help walk students to and from the pool, please contact your child’s teacher. All volunteers must hold a current Working with Children Check.

Staffing Update

Paige Frazer has now begun her family leave, and we send our warmest wishes to her and her family as they prepare to welcome their new arrival. For the remainder of the year, Gen Kelly will be teaching Prep E on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Sarah Connors will continue teaching the class on Thursdays and Fridays.

We officially welcome Toli Harrison to the NMPS team. Toli has been completing his placement at NMPS as a Teaching Assistant this term, however he has been successful in securing a position for the remainder of 2025 and 2026. Toli is currently working in our Year 3 and 4 classrooms.

2026 Grade Placements (as shared in previous newsletters)

As a large school, NMPS is unable to accommodate individual parent requests regarding grade placements, friendship groups or specific teachers.

Classes for 2026 will be created with great care, using a process that considers each student’s social, academic, wellbeing and behavioural needs. 

Teaching teams, Specialist staff, ES staff and the Leadership Team all contribute to reviewing placements to ensure every child is placed in the most suitable learning environment.

Class lists are developed using several key principles:

• Ensuring a balanced mix of genders

• Achieving an appropriate academic and wellbeing balance

• Maintaining a positive social and behavioural mix

• Providing students with familiar peers, while also recognising that some children learn best alongside certain classmates, regardless of friendship

Staff also consider existing friendship groups and seek to match students with compatible learning partners, while supporting the development of new connections.