From The Principal's Desk

Dear Parents and Carers,

I would like to extend a very warm welcome back to all students and their families/carers for the final term of 2024. We have certainly achieved a lot this year and I am sure you will all agree that the growth in student learning behaviours and academic achievement has, on the most part, been very pleasing. Already this term we have seen everyone return to school in a settled way and are already building on their progress from Term 3.

Term 4 is an action-packed term full of opportunities and learning experiences that encourage students to put all those newly learned skills to the test. Looking to the term ahead, there are many events to look forward to including:

• Swimming for Preps and Grades 1
• Girls Program 
• Transition for our Grade 6s into secondary school 
• The Writers’ festival
• Grade 6 Passport to Success
• Grade 5 Leadership selection process
• Grade 2 Sleepover
• The Kinder transition Program
• Prep - 2 Athletics
• Grade 3 Camp - Lady Northcote
• Prep Excursion to Pevan and Sarah
• Energy Breakthrough 
• Grade 6 Graduation
• Meet Your Teacher Day
• Picnic Day (at school)
• Grade 5 and 6 Health Days
• End of Year Student Reports.

In order to keep up to date with school dates, please keep an eye on the newsletter where you will find the most up to date calendar for the term.

HATS

This term our uniform and sun smart policy means that all students playing outside require a SunSmart hat. These hats are available for sale at the front office and students who do not have a hat will be directed to a shaded area for play.

GIRLS' PROGRAM LAUNCH

Last week we opened the girls breakfast program and approximately 50 girls and parent/carers attended the session.  It was lovely to start the program with a beautiful breakfast provided by the students of Phoenix College and listen to our guest speaker Emma Milesevic.

CLASSES 2025

It is getting to that time where we will start to place students in grades for 2025. In 2025, we will alter our classroom structures slightly to attempt to keep class structures low. We anticipate another large intake of Grade Prep students in 2025 and we have planned for 29 classrooms for currently 606 students in the following way.  

These classes will set out in the following manner as per diagram below.

We have employed 3 new classroom teaching staff for 2025 to cater for the increase in classrooms and also due to two of our staff heading overseas in 2025.  Ms Gerrard and Mr Egan will both be exploring the world in 2025 and we hope to see them return in 2026.  Ms Boyle returns from leave and will be back in the classroom. As a result, our staffing structure will have a few changes and we ask that parents not request teachers for grades as we have a number of changes and believe that the staff we have employed for 2025 will be great additions to our school. We will look to make you aware of our staffing in the second last week of the year.

STUDENT CLASS PLACEMENTS 2025

Our teachers place students in classrooms where they feel they will work best. There are a range of processes they consider from academic to social to balance a class. If you feel strongly that your child will not work productively with another student, we require this request in writing before November 6th (the day before Melbourne Cup). Please either email your child’s classroom teacher or a member of the Leadership team.

We strive to achieve the best educational outcomes for all students.

FACILITIES UPDATE

During the holidays we had our Grade 5-6 playground painted to give it a facelift. This was funded by the fundraising from our Parents and Friends committee. We also used these funds to add an additional set of soccer goals in the Grade 5-6 area.

We also will receive in the next few weeks four new classrooms in a double story format. The buildings are arriving on October 28th and some of our classes will be relocated for a period of 3 days. The building works will cause some disruption to the play areas of our students but hopefully will allow us to be ready for use in 2025. 

STUDENT LEADERSHIP 2025

Late this week I will be meeting with our current Grade 5 students to explain to them the process for applying for student leadership positions at our school. This process will involve student written applications, in some cases interviews and also voting from their peers. If your child is interested, they should be receiving the information in school and applications should be submitted to me by Monday 28th October.

WORLD TEACHERS' DAY

On Friday 25th October it will be World Teachers’ Day.  At Delacombe PS we will look to celebrate our wonderful teachers with a morning tea and thank them for all their hard work they do for our children.

PARENT LIAISON

The next date set for the Parent Liaison is Thursday 31st October at 2.30pm. This session is time to talk about what is coming up at school and listen to any other suggestions from parents. 

Topics that will be on the agenda are: 

• P-2 Athletics - any food to be provided 
• End of year raffle
• School savings bonus 
• Recent parent and staff surveys 

All parents are welcome to attend.

Kind regards,

Scott, Marnie, Stephanie and Michael