From the Principal 

Welcome back to Term 3!

I hope all our students, families and staff enjoyed a wonderful holiday break and had the opportunity to relax, recharge and spend quality time together. It was fantastic to welcome our students back to school. Their enthusiasm, smiling faces and excitement for learning have certainly brought our classrooms back to life.

Term 3 is always one of our busiest and most rewarding terms. It is a time when students continue to build upon the strong foundations established during Semester One while embracing new learning opportunities, challenges and experiences. I look forward to sharing another exciting term with our wonderful school community.

A Wonderful Community Night

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended and supported last week's Trivia Night. It was a fantastic evening filled with laughter, friendly rivalry and a wonderful sense of community.

A very special thank you must go to Renate Axford, whose leadership, organisation and countless hours of preparation ensured the evening was such an outstanding success. Renate's passion for our school and her ability to bring people together continues to make a tremendous difference to our community. I would also like to thank every member of our Social and Fundraising Team, our volunteers, donors and everyone who contributed behind the scenes to make the night possible.

The funds raised will go directly towards the purchase of additional outdoor tables and seating for our students. These new spaces will provide welcoming areas for students to meet with friends, collaborate on learning and simply enjoy spending time together during recess and lunch.

Our school is incredibly fortunate to have such generous families who continually give their time and energy to make Le Page Primary School an even better place for our children.

Prepared for Every Situation

Last week, all members of our staff completed their annual First Aid training, including refresher courses in CPR, anaphylaxis, asthma management and emergency responses to trauma, fractures, burns and other medical emergencies.

While we sincerely hope these skills are never required, maintaining current training is an essential responsibility for every school. Emergencies rarely provide warning, and the confidence to respond quickly, calmly and effectively can make a significant difference when every second counts.

Providing a safe learning environment is one of our highest priorities, and I am incredibly proud of the professionalism our staff demonstrate each year by undertaking this important training.

Bike Cage Project Progress

We are excited to share that planning continues for our new secure bike cage. A contractor is currently finalising the scope and costing for the project, with construction anticipated to commence later this term. The new facility will be located along the boundary fence adjacent to the Scout Hall and beside our Inclusive Garden.

This valuable addition has been made possible through funding received from the Victorian Government's Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) Community Projects Fund, and we look forward to providing students with a safe and secure place to store their bicycles and scooters while encouraging active travel to school.

Extending Our Young Scientists

This week, a group of our senior students commenced the John Monash Science School Outreach Program. This outstanding weekly program is designed to challenge and stimulate highly capable learners through rich scientific inquiry and problem-solving experiences. Students are encouraged to think critically, investigate authentic scientific concepts and collaborate with like-minded peers in ways that extend well beyond the regular classroom curriculum.

Programs such as these provide invaluable opportunities for students to deepen their curiosity, strengthen their thinking skills and continue their cognitive growth.

Building Bridges Across Generations

Next week, eight of our Year 5 and 6 students will begin participating in the highly regarded BridgeBuilders Program. BridgeBuilders brings together primary school students and senior citizens to share stories, experiences and learning across generations. While the world has changed enormously through advances in technology, knowledge and the pace of everyday life, participants quickly discover that many of the values, hopes and experiences they share remain remarkably similar.

The friendships formed throughout this program foster empathy, respect, confidence and communication while helping both generations gain a deeper appreciation of one another. We are delighted to once again offer this wonderful opportunity to our students.  

Leader in Me - Habit 1: Be Proactive

Throughout this term our students will be learning about Habit 1: Be Proactive.

Being proactive means recognising that we oversee our own choices. Rather than reacting to situations or blaming circumstances, proactive people choose their attitude, take responsibility for their actions and look for solutions.

At school, being proactive might look like beginning learning straight away, solving problems respectfully, persevering through challenges or choosing kindness even when it is difficult. These everyday decisions help students develop resilience, confidence and leadership, qualities that will benefit them throughout their lives.

We encourage families to continue these conversations at home by recognising and celebrating moments when your children demonstrate initiative, responsibility and positive decision-making. 

As Stephen R. Covey reminds us: 

"I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions."

Looking Ahead

As we begin another exciting term, I would like to thank our students for the enthusiasm they bring to school each day, our dedicated staff for their unwavering commitment to providing exceptional learning experiences, and our families for the continued partnership and support you provide.

At Le Page Primary School, we believe every child has unique talents waiting to be discovered. Together, we will continue to identify those talents, develop confidence and create the leaders of tomorrow.

I'll leave you with one of my favourite reminders:

"Success isn't about doing extraordinary things occasionally; it's about doing ordinary things extraordinarily well, every single day."

I look forward to sharing another wonderful term with you all.

George Danson