From the Principal

AUSSIE of the MONTH

Congratulations to Isaac I (FA) on being selected as our Aussie of the Month! Isaac is a very deserving recipient. He is a kind and friendly student who consistently looks out for his classmates, making sure everyone feels included and has someone to play with. Isaac demonstrates our school values of kindness, respect, excellence and integrity in everything he does. Well done, Isaac!

Important Information

Social media age restrictions

From 10 December 2025, the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024 will require social media platforms to:

• prevent children and young people under 16 from having a social media account

• deactivate or freeze existing accounts held by people under 16.

Delaying access to social media protects the health and wellbeing of young people and gives them extra time to build real world connections and digital literacy skills.

The responsibility will be on the social media platforms, not parents, carers, children or schools, to implement these new restrictions. Most popular social media platforms will be age restricted. These include Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), Reddit and YouTube.

Messaging services and online games, as well as apps and platforms that support health and education, can still be used. To read more go to the esafety website.

Celebrating What’s Been Happening at POPS

Year 4 Bike Ed – Big Bike Ride

Last Friday, all Year 4 students completed the Bike Ed program with the Big Bike Ride. Students rode from Beasley’s Nursery in Warrandyte to Westerfolds Park for a BBQ lunch before returning. The weather was perfect, and everyone did a fantastic job. A big thank you to Mrs Carbone, Mrs Puckering, Mr Moore, Mr Grecea and Ms Owen for their commitment, and to all the parent helpers who supported the Bike Ed sessions, the small bike ride and the Big Bike Ride.

Art Show & Soirée

What an amazing celebration of the arts at POPS! The artwork on display was outstanding and showcased the incredible talent of our students. A huge thank you to Mrs Moore for her hard work in organising the exhibition, and to the many parents and students who helped bring the Art Show together.

The Soirée was equally impressive, featuring students who played instruments, sang, danced, performed skits, and even a cups routine and a magic show. Thank you to Miss Sarah and Mrs Bowen for their dedication and countless rehearsal sessions that made the evening possible. Thank you to the parents and staff who were able to attend the event.

2026 Foundation Transition

Today we completed our final transition session for our 2026 Foundation students. They are well prepared, and we look forward to welcoming them and their families to POPS.

On Tuesday night, we held our Foundation Parent Information Session, where community members shared ways families can get involved through School Council and the Parents Association.

Highlights included current Foundation student Hamish R (FM) reading a speech about his first year at school, followed by his parents, Katrina and Adam, sharing their experience as new POPS parents. Our school captains, Aditi and Luca, also spoke confidently about their time at POPS and their growth as school leaders.

Thank you to our guest speakers, Mrs Kupinic, Mrs Ward, Mrs Fegan, Ms McRae, Mrs Ingle and Mrs Bullen, for helping make the evening so informative and welcoming.

Year 6 Graduation Gift to the School

You may have noticed a new mural taking shape on the GEM Centre wall. This artwork is a gift from our Year 6 families to the school. Mrs Stevenson and her team, Mrs Archard, Mrs Conley and Mrs Ramsey, had a very interested audience today as students watched the mural come to life.

So much to celebrate!

Warm Regards,

Ms Garrity

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

Last Friday Zahra T (4P) competed at the AASCF Dance Nationals held at Melbourne Convention Centre for both Cheerleading and Pom. She performed really well, with her teams placing 3rd for Cheer and 4th for Pom.

IMPORTANT DIARY DATE:

2026 Curriculum Days- January Tuesday 27 andWednesday January 28. The first day of school for all students is Thursday January 29 2026.

Week 9

Mon Dec 1- Assembly/ Storytime

Tues Dec 2- School Council mtg / PA AGM- 6:30 pm

Thurs Dec 4- 5/6 Surf Life Saving Day