Message from the Principal 

Week 9,10 &11 Term 4 2025 

Dear CNPS Families 

This will be the final edition of the CNPS newsletter for 2025. Thank you to all community members who have contributed to the newsletter this year. As we count down the final days of the 2025 academic year, I wanted to take the opportunity to look back on what has been a momentous year in the life of Carlton North Primary School. This year has seen a significant change to the way we deliver our teaching and learning, embracing the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model 2.0. We have used this change to review our internal systems and structures, which will set the school up for the next strategic plan, that will be implemented in 2026. Alongside the internal review this year, the school has been immersed in the $9.25 million dollar capital works program, that will reshape our school for the future. I need to acknowledge the amazing students of CNPS for their resilience and ability to cope with the ongoing change around their school. Thank you to my outstanding colleagues who have kept a strong focus on teaching, learning and student wellbeing in times of disruption. Finally, the parent/carer and wider CNPS community for your unwavering support and dedication to the students of Carlton North Primary School.  

Capital Works Project 

As we come to the end of the year, the capital works project will cease for the Christmas break. FIMMA and their team will be back on-site from 5 January 2026 to continue working diligently in readiness to handover the new library, administration and staff facilities. It is likely that CNPS will be ‘bumping’ into our new spaces early in Term 1 2026. 

Family Celebrations 2026 

It is with great excitement that in 2026 we will be holding two special ‘Family Week’ celebrations. The celebrations will be held in May and September. The family week celebrations will provide an opportunity to again recognise National Family Week, alongside the previous parent/carer celebration days. The days will be focussed on inclusion for all family types and continue to build community connection. Look out for more information about these weeks in 2026. 

Transition and 2026 Staffing 

On Tuesday 9 December 2025, CNPS students from Foundation – Year 5 participated in a meet the teacher and peers transition session for 2026. This year we extended the time students spent in their 2026 classes, giving everyone an opportunity to settle in, ask questions and complete some ‘get to know you’ activities. Tuesday was also an opportunity to welcome back Mary D’Cruz who returns to the CNPS teaching team in 2026.  

REMINDER Class Structures 2026

As I have written in previous editions of the newsletter, CNPS has spent much of 2025 reviewing our programs and beginning our transition to the new Victorian Teaching and Learning Model 2.0. As part of the review and to ensure we can continue to strengthen our early literacy and numeracy teaching and learning, CNPS will be moving to straight year levels from Foundation – Year 2 in 2026. We will continue our multi-age learning approach for our Year 3-6 students. 

Foundation – Year 4 Swimming Program 

On Thursday 4 December 2025 the Swimming in Schools Program concluded for Foundation – Year 4 students. The program was designed to increase opportunities for students to learn how to swim and develop lifelong skills in swimming and water safety to reduce their risk of drowning and injury. CNPS again employed a crossing supervisor on Canning Street between 9am – 12pm on the days the swimming program was running.  Thank you to the parents/carers who volunteered to support the swimming program. Without your support the swimming program would be challenging to operate. 

New Year of Learning 

The Department of Education have created a New Year of Learning webpage to help families, and students of all year levels, prepare for a new year of learning in 2026.

The webpage includes:  

• tips to help transition from early childhood education to Prep, and primary to secondary school 
• what to expect at school 
• where to find help with school costs and fees 
• health and wellbeing guidance to support children’s mental health 
• learning and disability supports. 

CNPS Staff 

Thank You 

What a team we have at CNPS. I would like to thank the entire education support and teaching staff for all their hard work throughout 2025. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with you all this year. I would like to acknowledge the School Improvement Team (Erin, Jane, Maddi, Kara, James, Brendan, Grace and Olivia) for your leadership throughout this year. To the senior leadership team, Jane, Erin, Trish and Maddi thank you for your support throughout 2025. I am most grateful. 

Farewell

As we close out another school year, it often means we say goodbye to some staff members who will not be at CNPS in 2026. On behalf of Carlton North Primary School can I again please thank Sam for his dedication, passion and enthusiasm for the students, colleagues and the CNPS community. We will miss you and wish you all the very best for 2026 and beyond. 

Parent/Carers – 2025 Helpers Thank You Morning Tea 

On Monday 8 December 2025, CNPS hosted parents/carers who have volunteered their time to help at CNPS during 2025. The morning tea was held in the temporary Library; it was a lovely opportunity for the CNPS staff to connect with parents/carers and acknowledge their support throughout this year. On behalf of the students and staff at CNPS, we thank all volunteers who have supported our school throughout the year. 

Last Day of Term 4 2025 / End of Year Assembly 

Friday 19 December 2025 is the final day of school for the year. The day will commence with the end of year assembly at 9am. The assembly will be an opportunity to again acknowledge and farewell our Year 6 students, alongside recognising CNPS staff members who are leaving the school at the end of the year. The school day concludes at 1.30pm. If families are seeking care for their child/ren on the final day of school or during the Summer holidays, please visit the TeamKids website for CNPS  Carlton North Primary | TeamKids for more information.

Final Week – Term 4 2025 

As we move into the final week of Term 4, I wanted to again flag some important upcoming events:

• Year 6 Graduation – Wednesday 17 December 2025

• Year 5/6 Big Day Out – Thursday 18 December 2025

• End of Year Assembly – 9am – Friday 19 December 2025

• Last Day 2025 Academic Year – Friday 19 December 2025 (1.30pm finish) 

•  

Social Media Age Restrictions 

From 10 December 2025, the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024will 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. 

How to help under 16s prepare for the change 

Parents and carers play an important role in supporting their children to be safe online. 

To help get under 16s ready for the social media minimum age requirements, you can go to the eSafety website to learn more about the social media age restrictions and find tips on how to talk about social media age restrictions with young people.

What the change means for our school 

At our school, most age-restricted social media platforms are blocked for student use on the school network. Our school allows access to YouTube in a logged-out state. However, this access is restricted so mature content cannot be viewed. 

To keep up to date about the new social media age restrictions, visit the eSafety website and subscribe to their newsletter.

Happy Holidays 

As this is the final newsletter for 2025, I would like to take the opportunity to wish all families at CNPS a very happy summer holiday period. I hope throughout the long break all students, staff and community members get to spend some time with their loved ones and take time to stop, relax and reflect on what has been a productive and happy year of learning. 

Warm Regards 

Matthew Ferguson

Principal