Greetings from Shaun

As we wrap up the first fortnight of school, it has been fantastic to see everyone reconnect after the summer break. Time has flown by, but it’s been a pleasure catching up with familiar faces and welcoming new ones. 

Our students have settled in well, embracing the start of an exciting year of learning. They have adapted smoothly to the new year level, forming friendships, establishing routines, and developing positive learning habits.

We’ve placed a strong focus on reinforcing classroom expectations again this year, particularly around our core values of respect, collaboration, and community-mindedness. Chatting with your child about the expectations, routines, and procedures they’ve been practicing will help strengthen their understanding at school.

A highlight this week certainly was the meet the teacher sessions and welcome picnic. It was wonderful to see so many families come together to celebrate the start of the new year.

Parent Payment Arrangement (PPA)

To support our school’s programs and resources, we kindly ask families to contribute financially where possible by paying the 2025 Parent Payment Arrangement via Compass. These contributions enable us to offer the best possible education, supported by programs and resources that foster optimal learning outcomes and experiences for all students.

Please note that these payments are voluntary and are in line with Victorian Department of Education and Training (DET) guidelines.

To contribute to the 2025 Parent Payment Arrangement or make a tax-deductible donation to the Building and Library Fund, visit the Payments Centre via the blue hyperlink and select 2025 Parent Payment Arrangement Curriculum Contributions.

Sun Smart

As we navigate these warmer weeks, it’s essential to keep our school community SunSmart. From the start of the school year until the 1st of May, students must wear their bucket hats whenever they are outside. So far, they’ve done a great job, but please remind them to bring and wear their hats daily.

It’s also important that students make SunSmart clothing choices, in particular, ensuring their shoulders are covered for protection against harmful UV radiation. UV radiation can cause permanent skin damage, especially for young children. When the UV index is 3 or higher, it’s important to follow key SunSmart steps: make sure children wear broad-brimmed hats, clothing that covers the skin, apply SPF30+ sunscreen, and encourage them to seek shade during breaks. 

Let’s work together to build lifelong sun safety habits and keep our students protected from the sun when outdoors.

For more information, visit the SunSmart website.

Computers and Cyber Safety 

This week our school hosted a series of informative, interactive cyber safety sessions aimed at empowering students with essential online safety skills. These sessions covered a range of topics including internet privacy, social media etiquette, and strategies for staying safe online, including things like password management and the responsible use of devices. Students actively engaged in discussions, shared their experiences, and learned really practical tips for navigating the digital world responsibly. By equipping our students with this knowledge and tools we are hoping they will be supported to make informed, safer decisions online. 

Parent Cyber-Safety Information Session

We will also be hosting an in-person Parent Information Session on Tuesday, 11th February, covering topics such as digital safety, digital wellbeing, screen time, and online platforms. The session will run from 6:30pm until 8pm in the hall, entry will be available via the main gate on Helen Street.

Choir

Some great news, Anita will be starting up the Northcote PS choir next Tuesday (11th February) at lunch time. It is for any Grade 3-6 students who love singing. It will run every week for the first half of lunchtime on Tuesdays. 

 The next two weeks will be a ‘come along and give it a go’ session with no obligation to keep coming and then after the two weeks the students will decide whether they want to formally join the choir for the semester.

 We have their first performance already booked in and coming up very soon at the Fete. 

Please encourage your child to come along if they are interested!

Icy Poles and Slime the Teacher- Fridays in Term 1

Starting this Friday, Icy poles will be sold from the canteen every Friday in Term 1, from 3:30 pm to 3:45 pm, for a gold coin donation.

Plus, while you're there, cast your vote for Slime the Teacher by adding your donation at the canteen. The teacher with the most votes will be slimed at the fete on March the 22nd.

 Parent Helper Inductions

We are holding the first of our Parent Helper Induction session on Friday, 14th February, at 2:00pm, (immediately before the assembly). If you would like to help in any capacity this year, please ensure you attend one of these sessions.

Fete- Call for donations

When only 43 days until the big day, this Friday, the 7th of February is when we officially kick-off Fete dontations. Please be sure to take the time to check out the 2025 NPS Fete page in this issue of the newsletter for a comprehensive guide to what we need, when we need it and where you need to take it. 

We are still looking for volunteers for the fete. Please remember, in line with the Victorian Government's Child Safe Standards, all fete volunteers are required to have a Working with Children Check. If you haven’t completed this already, it’s a quick, 15-minute process that can be done from your phone.

Assembly

We warmly invite you to our first official assembly of the year on Friday, 14th February, at 2:50 pm. While assemblies are usually held in the hall, this one will take place on the top turf as we await the completion of some works.

At the assembly, we’ll celebrate our first Pupils of the Week for 2025. The announcement will also be sent out via Compass on Monday, so keep an eye on your notifications.

Landscaping Update

I had grand (and perhaps slightly naïve) plans to include photos of the works set to begin during the January holidays in the first newsletter of 2025. Alas, that wasn’t meant to be. However, while the works have not yet commenced, I do have some very exciting news!

The tender process has now closed, and we have engaged a company to complete the project. After liaising with the VSBA, we have received approval for Landstruct to commence the works. We have already begun working with them to organise key logistics to ensure the project runs efficiently and, most importantly, that everyone remains safe while work is underway.

We have negotiated a start date that allows Landstruct time to order the necessary materials and equipment while also aligning with our timeline to minimise disruption to school operations and upcoming events—particularly the fete.

Therefore, we are working towards a start date of Monday, the 24th of March, and I, for one, cannot wait to see the temporary fencing go up as a clear sign that work is finally beginning!

Save the Dates for 2025

We have been working hard to update key dates section of the newsletter and the calendar on our website. 

Please be sure to check these for upcoming events through-out 2025.

Take care,

Shaun.