Principal's

Message

CONDOLENCES

Our hearts are with the family of 11 year old Jack Davey, after the tragedy at Auburn South Primary School, last week. It is incredibly difficult to comprehend and reminds us all how precious our children are. Our thoughts are also with the entire school community at Auburn South as they come to terms with this heart-breaking loss. 

Please take a moment to read our School Council President’s message in this newsletter, to ensure we do all in our control to promote the safety of our own children at drop off and pick up. 

SCHOOL REVIEW

I’m pleased to share that we successfully completed our three-day School Review last Thursday. The feedback from the review panel was overwhelmingly positive, and they provided valuable recommendations to guide our work moving forward. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all parents, carers, teachers, education support officers, and students who contributed to the process. A special thank you also goes to my leadership team, whose dedication over the past six months ensured we met all compliance standards and prepared a thorough self-evaluation ahead of the review.

Throughout the three days, the panel observed lessons and curriculum planning, facilitated focus groups with key stakeholders, and analysed various data and feedback. Based on this in-depth review, the panel has assessed our current status and drafted our new School Strategic Plan for 2025-2028. Once the plan is finalised and approved, I look forward to sharing with you the direction of our improvement initiatives for the next four years.

SOCIAL MEDIA

I have some concerns about the out-of-school use of social media by some of our senior students, particularly in relation to its potential impacts. If we reflect on our own school days, we likely remember conflicts with peers. However, when we returned home, many of us were able to take a break—whether that meant playing sports, spending time with family, or simply having the space to unwind. For most, school conflicts would fade into the background, and by the time we returned to class, we had a fresh start.

Unfortunately, social media has changed this dynamic. One of its negative effects is that children often have no escape from social conflicts, which can persist well into the evening, creating ongoing stress and anxiety.

Another important concern is the question of who is interacting with our children online. Young people can be particularly vulnerable to trusting individuals who may not be who they claim to be, leading to potential risks. While most social media platforms set a minimum age of 13, the government is currently working towards raising that limit to 16 to better protect young users.

I encourage all parents and carers to have open conversations with their children about the platforms they’re using. Consider ways to monitor their online activity, set boundaries, and provide the necessary support to help them navigate the digital world safely. A device free bedroom is a great place to start. 

For further advice see https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/issues-and-advice/are-they-old-enough

CLASS STRUCTURES FOR 2025

As you know, developing classes structures and classes is a very complex task. Decisions are determined by the number of students at each year level, the level of Department funding, and the specific needs of the cohort. After a lengthy decision making process, we have decided on the following class structures for 2025:

Over the coming weeks, we will be formulating classes and discussing room allocations. On Tuesday, 10th December, your child will have a transition day, where they will meet their new teacher and classmates. In coming newsletters, I will introduce to you our new staff and outline our staff list for 2025. 

Nicole