Principal`s Message
As we celebrate Book Week next week, including the Book Week Parade on Friday, it is fitting to reflect on this year's theme, "Symphony of Stories." Much like a symphony brings together different instruments to create something beautiful, stories bring together diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences that enrich our understanding of the world. Reading remains one of life's greatest joys. Books have the power to spark imagination, build empathy, inspire curiosity, and transport us to places near and far. Whether it is a picture book enjoyed with family, an engaging novel, or a fascinating non-fiction text, every story contributes to a lifelong love of learning. As a school, we are proud to foster a culture of reading and encourage all students to immerse themselves in the wonderful symphony of stories that surrounds us.
The past fortnight has been another busy and exciting time at our school. Our Year 3 and 4 students proudly participated in the Prime Minister's Spelling Bee, demonstrating their impressive literacy skills and determination. Meanwhile, our Year 5 and 6 students enjoyed a valuable educational visit to the Victorian Parliament, gaining firsthand insight into our system of government and democracy. We were also delighted to welcome the talented Lyneham High School Band from Canberra, who entertained staff and students with a wonderful musical performance. Opportunities such as these enrich learning and provide memorable experiences for our students.
The fun certainly does not stop there. Next week, our Year 3 and 4 students will participate in a Democracy Incursion, building on their understanding of citizenship and civic engagement. We also look forward to our much-anticipated Book Week Parade on Friday, where students can showcase their creativity and love of literature. In addition, students will be representing our school in Interschool Netball and Athletics, and we wish all participants the very best as they compete, demonstrate sportsmanship, and enjoy these exciting opportunities.
Parent Carer Survey
Our Parent/Carer Opinion Survey has now been distributed to families. This survey provides valuable feedback that helps us understand what we are doing well and identify areas for continued growth and improvement. We would be grateful if as many families as possible could take the time to complete the survey. A strong response rate ensures that we hear a broad range of perspectives and enables us to use this valuable feedback to continue strengthening the educational experiences and opportunities we provide for all students.
2027 Enrolments
We are also continuing preparations for our Foundation enrolments for 2027. Thank you to the families who have already returned their enrolment acceptance forms and completed the necessary documentation. For those who are yet to do so, please contact the office as soon as possible so that we can assist you with completing the enrolment process. As always, if you have family members, friends, or neighbours who may be moving into the area and are seeking a school for 2027, we would greatly appreciate you encouraging them to contact us and learn more about our wonderful school community.
Illness and Attendance
We have seen a significant increase in illness among both students and staff in recent weeks. If your child is unwell, we ask that they remain at home to rest and recover. Keeping sick children at home helps reduce the spread of illness throughout the school community and protects vulnerable students and staff. We also encourage everyone to practise good health habits, including regular handwashing with soap, covering coughs and sneezes, disposing of tissues promptly, staying well hydrated, and ensuring children get plenty of rest. These simple measures can have a significant impact in reducing the spread of common illnesses and helping keep our school community healthy and well.
Finally, I would also like to extend our sincere thanks to Michael, Assistant Principal at Collingwood English Language School, who has spent the past four weeks with us as part of the UP Program. During his time at our school, Michael has been observing our practices, learning alongside staff, and gaining insights into the ways we support student learning and wellbeing. It has been a pleasure to share our work with him, and we have greatly appreciated the professional conversations, collaboration, and fresh perspectives he has brought to our school community. We thank Michael for his contribution over the past month and wish him all the very best as he returns to his school and continues his leadership journey.
I look forward to seeing many families at our Book Week Parade and at the many exciting events taking place across the coming weeks.
-Scott Burton, Principal