Important Information and Updates

Important Medical Alert

We would like to ask for your co-operation in an important matter.

One of the children at our school is receiving medical treatment, which puts them at risk if they develop chicken pox or measles. The risk for this child can be reduced by receiving a special injection as soon as possible after coming in contact with these illnesses.

It is very important therefore, that you let us know immediately if your child develops chicken pox or measles, so that the child at risk receives the protective injection at the earliest opportunity. This protection lasts for a few weeks only, and must be repeated every time they come into contact with these illnesses.

Your child is at no risk whatsoever from this situation. However, the health and well being of one of their classmates does depend on your help and cooperation.

A reminder that we have second hand uniforms available at our office. 

We are fully stocked and have LOTS of uniform ready to be rehomed.

Gold coin donation is appreciated!

Attendance  

We are placing a considered focus upon student attendance this year. 

More so than ever schools are being encouraged by the Department of Education to ensure attendance data is accurate and more importantly, that we have all of our students arriving on time, every day, and ready to learn. 

Below is the Compass "Parent Guide" that outlines how you can approve unexplained absences and approve these with a valid reason (pages 7 and 8). 

We are certainly wanting students onsite first and foremost however, the next best alternative to this is to ensure we know the reason/s and whereabouts of all students whenever they are absent, and therefore have zero unexplained absences at any point in time. 

Please read the attachment, log into Compass (if you require assistance with this please contact the office), and approve any unexplained absences that are listed. 

Pupil Free Day Reminders

Term 1 Curriculum Day  - Friday 6th March, 2026 

Labour Day Public Holiday - Mon 9th March, 2026

Action Required: Annual Permissions and Agreements (via Compass)

The 2026 Annual Permissions/Agreements have been published in Compass for you to action for each of your children.

These permissions are only required once a year and will be valid for the whole school year.

The annual permissions are found under the "Insights" section of Compass and are listed below: 

• Headlice Inspection Consent 
• Local Excursions Consent
• Annual Photography, Filming and Recording Agreement

When logging into Compass via the app, these will sit on the home screen under your child/ren's photo. You will also see an alert titled 'Insights Cycle'. Click on the pop up, this will then list the consents for you to action. Otherwise, you can find these under the "Insights" tile.

When logging into Compass via the desktop version, these permissions will sit on the top right-hand side of the screen highlighted in green. Please click on "click here to proceed" to complete these.

**A small number of families have reported trouble accessing the 'insights' area on the Compass app. We recommend updating to the latest version of compass and refreshing your app, and possibly restarting your phone too. If the issues persist, please contact the office. 

We ask all families to please complete these actions by no later than Friday 20th of February. 

CSEF Applications Open for 2026 

The CSEF (Camps, Sports & Excursions Fund) provides a payments to assist eligible families to cover the costs of camps, sporting activities, excursions and incursions.

The CSEF is a means tested fund.  Usually, families that hold a current health care/concession card are eligible to received the CSEF for their child/ren. 

In 2026, the fund has been increased to $400 per eligible student (primary or secondary) 

Please note: If your child/ren received the CSEF in 2025, you do not need to reapply for 2026. 

For all new applicants, please contact the office to complete an application (a copy must be made of your health care / concession card at the time of application)

Applications must be submitted to the school by the end of Term 2, or earlier.

Beleza School Uniforms - Changes to Geelong Store's Trading Hours

School Canteen Service - Fresh Food Fairy, Wednesdays (lunch)

Our canteen lunch service will be running once again this year on Wednesdays - with a new, improved menu! The canteen service will be operational from next week (Wed, 4th Feb). Orders should be placed via the Flexischools App (instructions below) or website. 

See HERE for further information about the Fresh Food Fairy lunch service at Newtown PS.

Next School Council Meeting: Tuesday, February 17th, 2026

Scholastic Book Club 

Please note that Scholastic Book Club orders are due Monday 16th of February. Thanks to everyone who supports our school by purchasing books through Book Club!

More information can be found by clicking here: Toolkit | Scholastic Australia 

Private Music Lessons (Mondays)

All inquiries can be made directly to 

patrick@atschoolmusic.au 

For more information, including pricing, see https://www.atschoolmusic.au/