Hi Solway Community,

Grade 6 Leadership Badge Presentation

Last week at assembly, we formally presented badges to our 2026 Grade 6 leaders. It was wonderful to see so many families in attendance to support our students as they stepped into these important roles. Thank you for being there to share in the moment. Student leadership at our school is grounded in our value of Responsibility. Leadership is not simply about wearing a badge, it is about modelling our values, making thoughtful choices, serving others and contributing positively to our community. I know our leaders will approach the year with care and commitment, striving to give their best always.

A Great Start for Our Preps

Our Prep students have made a calm and confident start to school life. The early weeks of the year are focused on building a supportive learning environment, establishing routines and helping students feel safe and connected. It has been pleasing to see friendships forming and students growing in confidence each day. These foundations matter, and they set the tone for a positive year ahead.

Welcoming Estrella Preschool

We are pleased to welcome Estrella Preschool to the Taylor Street Hall for 2026 while Boroondara Council undertakes upgrades to their facilities. Having the kindergarten service on site provides a valuable opportunity to strengthen our connection and further enhance our transition processes. Sharing spaces and building relationships early, supports children and families as they move from kindergarten to primary school, and we look forward to continuing this important partnership.

Chromebooks and Digital Learning

Thanks to the generosity of our community through fundraising across 2025, we have secured two class sets of Chromebook laptops. This marks the first phase of our move away from a BYOD iPad program, in line with Department of Education digital learning policies. Students in Grades 4 to 6 will continue to bring their iPads to support their learning at this stage. Students in Grade 3 will access the new Chromebooks. As part of this shift, we are also working towards the recommended screen time limit of 90 minutes per day for students in Grades 3 to 6. Our focus remains on using technology purposefully to enhance learning outcomes.

Looking After Our School

Over the past fortnight we have experienced a number of incidents of vandalism, including damage to air conditioning units on the roof of the administration building, the amphitheatre decking, the Grade 6 lockers and the roof/skylights of the hall. We have also had to clean up significant amounts of dog droppings on school grounds. We want Solway to be a place where the community feels welcome to gather and use our facilities outside of school hours. However, we need everyone’s support to care for our environment. If you see anything concerning outside of school hours, please report it. We are exploring options in relation to CCTV, as funds used for repairs are funds that should be directed towards learning programs for our students.

Visiting the School During the Day

A reminder that if you need to visit the school during school hours to collect your child, drop off food or deliver an item, you must first report to the office. Please do not go directly to classrooms. The office will contact the classroom and arrange for your child to come to you. This is an important safety measure that helps us protect all students.

Parent Helpers

Parent helpers in classrooms will begin in the coming weeks. We value the contribution of families and appreciate the time you give to support learning. To volunteer, parents must hold a current Working With Children Check and have completed the Solway Primary School Parent Helpers information session. Mrs Watkins will be running a session shortly. All parent helpers are required to report to the office, sign in and collect a lanyard before going to a classroom.

Curriculum Day

This Friday is a Curriculum Day and no students are required at school. TeamKids will be operating a program for families who require care. On Friday, staff will be undertaking professional learning focused on responsive and explicit teaching as we continue to unpack and refine our whole school lesson structure in line with the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model 2.0. This work supports our ongoing commitment to high quality teaching and consistent classroom practice across the school.

Thank you for your continued support and lets all strive to be “our best always”.

David Rosser