Acting Principal's Report

Welcome back to Term 4! I hope all our families had a restful and enjoyable holiday break and are feeling refreshed for the final term of the school year.

It is hard to believe how quickly the year has passed. We have now entered our final term of 2026, and there is plenty to look forward to over the coming weeks. Our Year 6 students are preparing to complete their primary school journey and begin an exciting new chapter at secondary school. We are also looking forward to meeting our incoming 2027 Prep students when they attend their first orientation sessions in Week 4.

The final term is always a busy period, with students continuing their learning while staff complete assessments and prepare student reports. At the same time, we begin making plans for the following school year. One of the key responsibilities for the leadership team during Term 4 is determining our staffing arrangements for 2027. Government schools manage their own budgets, with funding allocations based on projected student enrolments. This means we need to carefully plan our staffing to ensure we have the right resources and personnel in place for the year ahead.

Grade 4 Camp

Our Grade 4 students enjoyed an action-packed two-day camp in the city last Thursday and Friday. The program included visits to the MCG, Flagstaff Gardens, and Strike Bowling. There was plenty to see and do, and the students certainly had lots of walking to keep them busy!

I had the opportunity to join the group on Thursday afternoon and stay overnight. It was a pleasure to spend time with the students, who were a fantastic group to accompany on camp. They represented our school wonderfully, and I thoroughly enjoyed being part of the experience.

Thank you to the staff who gave their time to support the camp: Alexandra Bennie, Jen Cora, Marnie Bardon, Lucas Kilmartin, Paula Sanford, Deana Parzinkas, Ella Norris and Joe Greige. We are also grateful to the parents who volunteered to assist with supervision during the day. These experiences would not be possible without the support and commitment of our staff and families.

Arrangements for 2027

As preparations for the 2027 school year get underway, we are working to confirm our staffing and class arrangements. To help us plan effectively, we need to have an accurate understanding of how many students will be attending Preston PS next year.

If your child is currently in Prep to Grade 5 and will not be returning to Preston PS in 2027, please let the school know as soon as possible. Early notification will help us make informed decisions about staffing and class organisation.

Please contact the school on 9470 1167 or email preston.ps@education.vic.gov.au.

Thank you for assisting us with our planning for next year.

School Starting Time

A reminder that the school day begins at 9:00 am, and students are expected to be in their classrooms and ready to learn when the second bell rings.

Students may arrive at school from 8:45 am. Please ensure your child does not arrive before this time, as supervision arrangements are not in place for students before 8:45 am.

We also ask families to remind children that the park should not be used for play before or after school.

Thank you for helping us maintain safe and consistent arrival and departure routines.

Prep Orientation

We are excited to welcome our future Prep students and their families as they begin preparing for their first year of school in 2027.

Our first Prep Orientation session will be held on Thursday, October 29, with two further sessions to follow. If you know of any families in our local community who have a child commencing school in 2027 but have not yet enrolled, please encourage them to contact the school and complete their enrolment as soon as possible.

We look forward to meeting our new students and their families and helping them feel welcome as they prepare to join the Preston PS community.

Student Portfolios

Last week, students brought home their portfolios to share with their parents and carers. These portfolios provide a valuable opportunity to discuss learning, recognise progress and celebrate the work students have completed throughout the term.

Each portfolio contains samples of tasks completed during Term 3, offering an insight into your child's learning and achievements. We ask parents and carers to spend some time reviewing the portfolio with their child and discussing the work included. Once you have finished, please sign the form at the back of the portfolio to confirm that you have read it. 

Please ensure your child's portfolio is returned to their classroom teacher by Monday, October 19.

Zooper Doopers Are Back!

Zooper Doopers have returned for Term 4, and we are seeking parent volunteers to help with sales on Fridays throughout the term.

If you are available to lend a hand on one or more Fridays, please email preston.ps@education.vic.gov.au. Include your name and the dates you are able to assist.

All volunteers must have a current Working With Children Check.

We appreciate the support of our parent community and thank everyone who is able to contribute their time to help make this activity possible.

SunSmart Reminder – Hats Required

As we move into Term 4, it is important that all students follow our school's sun protection requirements. Wearing a hat outdoors is compulsory for every student.

Students must wear a royal blue school hat. Royal blue bucket hats can be purchased through the school Uniform Shop, or students may wear a royal blue broad-brimmed hat. Baseball-style caps are not permitted.

Please check that your child has a suitable hat that is clearly labelled with their name and kept in their school bag each day.

Students who do not have an appropriate hat will need to remain in an undercover play area during outdoor breaks.

Thank you for your continued support as we begin the final term of the year. We look forward to a productive and enjoyable Term 4 for all members of our school community.

Regards,

Dale Adams,

Acting Principal