Principal's Blog

Good Afternoon Parents Students, Staff and Friends of Derinya,  

A warm welcome to Term 4! I hope the school holidays provided an opportunity to rest, recharge and enjoy time together. It is wonderful to welcome our students and families back for a busy and exciting final term. 

Planning for 2027 

As we prepare for the year ahead, we are pleased to share that we have a stable staff team for 2027, with no recruitment needed. This continuity provides a strong foundation as we plan for our students’ learning and wellbeing. If your child has specific educational needs you would like us to consider when planning classes, please complete the Microsoft Form  by clicking HERE. Please complete this form only if your child has specific educational needs to bring to our attention. Requests for children to be paired together or placed with a specific teacher will not be considered. Requests for separation will be considered as part of our planning. Please note that the form will close this coming Monday at 3pm.  

Hats and Drink Bottles  

As we enjoy the warmer weather, please ensure your child brings their school sun hat each day for outdoor learning and play. We encourage students to practise SunSmart habits, including wearing their hats, applying sunscreen and seeking shade. Please also send a clearly named water bottle to help your child stay hydrated throughout the day. 

Attendance  

Regular attendance and arriving on time help students make the most of their learning and maintain important connections with their classmates. Please ensure your child attends school each day unless they are unwell or have another valid reason for being absent, and notify the school of any absences. Wherever possible, please arrange appointments outside school hours. If you need to collect your child early, you must first visit the office to obtain an early departure slip and present it to the classroom teacher before your child leaves. 

Supporting inclusion  

Families play an important role in reinforcing messages of respect, inclusion and kindness at home. Talking with your child about racism and discrimination, including hurtful language or behaviour directed towards minority groups, helps them understand that everyone deserves to feel safe, valued and respected. We encourage you to use the Respectful Relationships curriculum content shared in our Preview to Learning to support these conversations and other content that reinforces what children are learning at school. Thank you for working alongside us in this space as we continue our journey raising wonderful young people.  

Bake Sale

Our Grade 5 Ye Olden Days Bake Sale is coming up on Monday 19 October! Students have been working in small groups to prepare and sell delicious treats inspired by 1800s Australia, including cupcakes, gingerbread and jelly, while putting their Maths skills into practice. Students from all year levels will have the opportunity to visit the stalls on the day, with each child able to purchase around three treats. All items will be priced at either $1 or $2, so we would appreciate children bringing gold coins if possible to help with making change. Each stall will display a list of ingredients, and all items will be nut-free. The bake sale will not replace lunch but will provide a lovely old-fashioned sweet treat for recess! Best of all, the profits will go to a charity chosen by the Grade 5 students after the bake sale. 

We have an exciting term ahead, with year level celebrations, our Year 6 graduation and our much-loved Christmas breakfast. We look forward to sharing these special occasions with you and celebrating a wonderful year of learning together. 

Wishing you a wonderful weekend ahead, 

Nadine Pye on behalf of the Derinya Team