Principal's Report

Dear Parents and Carers,

As we approach the end of Term 1, it continues to be a busy and productive time across the school. Firstly, I would like to thank the community for your understanding and support during the disruption to the learning program this week due to industrial action. With a significant number of staff participating, your flexibility and support was greatly appreciated.

Over the past few weeks, our Year 3 and 5 students have been focused on completing NAPLAN assessments. They have approached these with a positive attitude and should be commended for their efforts, while also building valuable test-taking and executive functioning skills. While we recognise that NAPLAN does not define our students, the data provides useful insights and trends to help inform future planning. Thank you to all parents and carers for the support you provided your children throughout this period.

Some quick snaps from across the school highlight the variety of learning that takes place on a daily basis.

Focus on Attendance

Thank you all again for the response to our focus on attendance. 

We have continued to see low numbers of Unexplained Absences which is an excellent indication that families understand the importance of reporting days where their child is not well enough to attend school. 

The Lateness data is on the increase slightly, so we encourage all families to continue to find strategies to allow their child to be on time every day. This could include arriving 5 minutes earlier, using the Walking School Bus, engaging other family members to help with drop off or even accessing the public transport that drops off at the front of the school. We have spoken in the past about the impacts that arriving late has on student engagement and the disruption it causes to learning momentum and below is an article that further makes the case for Being on Time, Being Prepared and Being Amazing … every day.

Last Day of Term 1

The final day of Term 1 is Thursday April 2. This day finishes at the earlier time of 1.30pm with a final assembly starting at 12.45pm.

If your child catches the Cardigan Bus, there will be no service on this day that aligns with our end of day procedures, so alternative arrangements will be required on this day.

Some Reminders for the Start of Term 2

The holiday period is a good time to remember a few organisational aspects for Term 2.

• School returns on Monday April 20. Be On Time, Be Prepared. Be Amazing
• Hats are not required for Term 2. It is a good time for these items to be washed, labelled and stored safely for Term 4.
• Checking school uniform to ensure it is in good repair and in line with our uniform guidelines. You can see the guidelines here. 

• On Friday in the first week of Term 2, we will be commemorating ANZAC Day with a ceremony around our Lone Pine.

Harmony Day

Friday was a very special celebration at Lucas PS, recognising the rich cultural diversity within our growing school community. The performances were a credit to our students and their families, who proudly shared their cultures with us. Each performance also provided an opportunity for us all to learn more about the students and their heritage. A special thank you to Mrs Cooper and our Diversity Leaders for the significant work involved in bringing this wonderful event together.

Next week, we continue to celebrate Harmony Week. At our Family Picnic evening, we invite you to explore our Harmony-inspired classroom door displays. Please see the flyer below for further details about the Family Picnic.

School Picnic

School Council

At our School Council meeting last week, we welcomed our new members and elected office bearers for the year ahead.

Parent Members: Marc Oliver, Anthony Lai, Casey Jenkins, Anthony Baker, Jason Holmes, Hirenkumar Patel, Claire Greig, Sharna Hodges, Lubna Panchoo, Stephen Francis.

Department of Education Members: David Young, Jacqui Nash, Shannon Whittaker and Ailsa Webb

Reporting Members: Dylan Rodger, Jen Plews and Samia Khanum.

The office bearers for 2026 are:

President - Marc Oliver

Vice President – Stephen Francis 

Secretary – Shannon Whitaker 

Treasurer - Anthony Lai

Working Parties: These teams have a role on Council to work on projects throughout the year to help support the strategic direction of the school.

Finance: Jenifer, Marc, Dave, Jacqui, Anthony L and Dylan

Fundraising: Jacqui, Anthony L, Casey and Ailsa

Curriculum: Dylan, Casey, Claire, Sharna and Ailsa

Buildings and Grounds: Stephen, Shannon, Jason and Dave  

Last Monday was also our Annual Reporting meeting that provided an opportunity to work through the data and reflections from 2025 that underpin our performance as a school. This Annual Report will be available on the website shortly. 

Hot Cross Bun Drive

Thank you to everyone who were able to get their orders in for our Easter Bun Drive. It was a wonderful response that has raised some important funds for our school playground. 

All buns will arrive at school this Friday and will be sent home with students. 

Ride2School Day

This coming Friday March 27 we celebrate Ride2School Day by encouraging students to walk, ride or skate to school. All those who do so can register their name with Mrs Watt and Miss Taylor at the bike sheds as they arrive in order to go into the draw for some cool prizes.

As part of this day, we will be opening the new Year 5/6 Bike Shelter. This new shelter is located at the front of the gym in the old bin compound. It will provide secure storage of bikes throughout the day being locked between 9.15am - 3.15pm each day.

This new addition will mean the current bike shed will be reserved for the Foundation - Year 4 students. Thanks to Mark who has worked hard to make this project a reality. 

Photo of Bike Shed.

Staff Car Park

Can all families please note that the staff car park is not a safe drop off and pick up area for students.  Already this year, particularly in the afternoon, students are walking around moving cars that are backing in and out.  All students and families have the right to arrive and leave school safely and it is all of our responsibility to ensure we behave in such a way that provides the best chance for this to happen. Thanks in advance.

Please note: Disabled parking is available in the staff carpark - we have a couple of families that really rely on this space to allow wheelchairs to be unloaded and loaded safely with plenty of room around them. 

ANZAC Poppy Installation

SAVE THE DATE - Mother's Day Classic Walk