Greetings from Shaun

Ride2School Day- tomorrow!

Ride2School Day is an annual event that encourages students across Australia to ride, walk, or scoot to school to promote physical activity and sustainable transport. It's a fun and healthy way to start the day, with schools and communities coming together to celebrate active travel and its benefits for students' health and the environment. To learn more and get involved, visit the official Ride2School Day page.

NAPLAN

A big well done must go to our Grade 3 and 5 cohorts for  completing the NAPLAN assessments in Week 7. All students were focused, resilient and listened really well to all of the instructions from their teachers. We are so proud of all of them! A big thank you to our Grade 3 and 5 teachers who have supported them to do their best. NAPLAN results will be available to parents later in the year.

Harmony Week-Everyone Belongs!

This week we have celebrated Harmony Week in all of our classrooms. It is a great opportunity to celebrate diversity, inclusivity, and respect in our school community.

We have been lucky enough to have some wonderful parent and family volunteers come in to share their own stories about migrating to Australia. Hearing actual experiences from people in our community helps make learning real for our students, and a very big thank you to all of the volunteers, and to Izzy for all her work in making it happen.

Planning Week 

Next week is Planning Week, during which our teachers will dedicate one day to preparing for Term 2. As a result, the Specialist timetable will be adjusted, with all specialist classes scheduled on a single day. Looking ahead, the Term 2 curriculum overviews will be shared in the first newsletter of the new term.

Week 9 Planning Week schedule

          Monday - 5/6 classes

          Tuesday - 1/2 classes

          Wednesday - Aths Day

          Thursday - 3/4 classes

          Friday - Prep classes

Northcote PS Fete

The buzz around the school this week has been undeniable as we put the final touches on preparations for our very highly anticipated fete this Saturday, the 22nd of March! From thrilling rides to delicious food, second hand stalls, and exciting games, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

We’re also in luck—the weather is shaping up to be perfect for a fantastic day out with family and friends! A massive thank you to our incredible Fete Committee, whose tireless dedication and meticulous planning have ensured that every last detail is in place. Their hard work, along with the support of our amazing school community, makes this event truly special.

I can’t wait to see you all there on Saturday for a day of fun, laughter, and community spirit!

Fete- Working with Children Check and Induction

Don't forget, if you have volunteered for the fete (or are thinking of volunteering), you will require a Working with Children Check. It’s a 15 minute job that can be done from a phone and the link is-

To volunteer at the fete, you will also need to complete a brief 2-minute, fete-specific volunteer induction. If you've got time tomorrow, drop by the office, where Donna, Sarah, or Caterina can walk you through the process and sign you off.

A reminder that Wristbands, tickets & t-shirts can be collected from the school canteen on Thursday and Friday (3:30-3:45pm) or on Fete Day from 11am at the ticket booth.

Please refer to the Fete Update sent earlier today through Compass for some last minute reminders and call outs.

Landscaping and Playground Construction 

We are excited to share that construction will begin on the playground on Monday 24th March - after our school fete, with temporary fencing being installed Monday, and workers beginning the following day.

This will have an impact on the amount of yard space for students to play in, as the front of the school will be out of bounds,  and we have been working behind the scenes to put plans into place. 

After completing a trial in Week 7 to see what lunchtime looks like without using the front of the school, we have adjusted our yard duty supervision timetable to include an extra lunchtime club, and purchased some new outdoor equipment to help students keep busy. We will monitor how students are adapting to the adjusted space, and if needed, will be able to use The Block.

Please note, starting Monday, all student drop-offs and pick-ups must take place at either the Hawthorn Road or Henry Street gates.

Parents will still be able to access the office via the main gate on Helen Street during the day, however there will be no access to the yard from this gate, so students will not be able to be dropped off here. 

While the general drop-off and pick-up process on the Block will remain unaffected, on the days when the Grade 3/4 classes begin on the main campus, the meeting point will be near the Hawthorn Road gate (instead of the front turf).

If you would like to see or hear about the landscaping plans, come and see me, or catch me at the fete!

Take care,

Shaun.