Principal Report

END OF TERM

Can you believe we have already reached the end of Term One? I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our families for making my first term at IPS as the new Principal a seamless transition. I am truly grateful to all the families, staff, and the wider community for your continued support and trust. I look forward to strengthening and building upon the relationships we have started to form.

As I have begun posting the dates for Term Two, it’s clear that we have another busy term ahead, filled with numerous opportunities for students to participate in a variety of activities, from educational experiences to sporting events such as Athletics.

I am excited to announce that next term we will be celebrating Volunteer Week by moving this celebration from our usual Christmas lunch, to Volunteers Week instead, ensuring it doesn’t get lost in the busy end-of-year period. Our volunteers are integral to the success of our school, and I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to each of you.

Stay tuned for your invitation!

L4L EASTER FUN!

We are incredibly proud of our L4L sessions, held weekly. The joy our senior students experience while reading, planning, and organising activities for our younger community members is truly heartwarming. These sessions take place every Wednesday from 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM, and we warmly welcome anyone to attend. Today, we were fortunate to have a special visit, along with an Easter egg hunt in the garden.

DENTAL VAN

The Martin Vale Dentistry van is visiting again in Term Two. Please contact us if you want a hard copy form or follow the link on UEDUCATEUS to book your appointments. 

Cross Country

It was great to see our students getting involved in Cross Country. I understand that this event isn’t for everyone, and this year, there were certainly more students considering participation. What I would like to highlight, though, is the courage and determination shown by those students who faced discomfort but still gave it their best effort.

These moments of perseverance often provide greater life lessons than winning the event itself. Congratulations to all who took part, and to the students who, though unable to run, still came to show their support by cheering on their peers.

CURRICULUM DAY

Last Friday, all staff participated in Respectful Relationships training, followed by an afternoon dedicated to developing our own "Triage of Conversation." This framework is designed to guide restorative conversations, helping us better support our students in managing and resolving conflicts. It is an important step in reinforcing positive communication and relationship-building within our school community.

We are looking forward to rolling this out over the next couple of terms as part of our ongoing commitment to fostering a positive and supportive learning environment. This initiative is an exciting addition to our Wellbeing and Behaviour Matrix, and it aligns with the goals set out in our four-year strategic plan. As we continue to strengthen these foundations, we are eager to see the positive impact this will have on both our students and staff.

SCHOOL PHOTOS

The school photos have arrived and will be distributed over the next day or so. If you have any issues or concerns, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

ILLNESS

As the weather begins to change, we often see an increase in illness. This term, we have observed some common illnesses circulating through the school, and I thought it would be a timely reminder to review the exclusion guidelines for common school illnesses. Please see the details below: https://www.health.vic.gov.au/infectious-diseases/school-exclusion-table

UGANDA

Brian and Jan have been overwhelmed by the incredible level of support and donations the school has received so far. If you haven’t had the chance to donate yet, it’s not too late. We are still accepting donations of soap, and any school-related items such as pencils, crayons, textas etc.

LUNCH ORDERS

We are incredibly fortunate to be supported by Bridgewater Bakehouse in providing lunch orders for our students each week. Like many businesses, they have experienced a significant increase in costs, which has unfortunately necessitated a price adjustment.

As we currently use pre-printed envelopes, and with over 1,000 in stock, we will be adding a blackline to the price list. Families are kindly asked to refer to the updated price list and write the new prices on their order forms. Please note that any orders submitted with old prices will not be accepted.

An example of the updated process will be included on each order sheet, which will be sent home on the first day of Term 2. Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

WEDDERBURN FETE

On Friday, we will be travelling to Wedderburn via bus, departing around 9:30 AM and returning approximately at 2:00 PM. From past experience, I believe this day is always a highlight for our students, and we are extremely grateful to Wedderburn for kindly inviting us and providing a range of free activities and lunch.

A reminder to students: this year, you are allowed to bring some money to spend at the stalls that require it, though this is entirely optional. Any students who bring money will be responsible for managing their own funds.

I would also like to take this opportunity to personally thank Danny, Dean, and the entire Wedderburn School staff for their ongoing support of our school. Since my time as Principal, your generous contributions have been invaluable. Our hall looks incredible, thanks to your donation of couches with bookshelves, as well as the TV, computers, and other resources you've provided to enhance our tech facilities. Your continuous support of both our staff and students, through checking in and offering your expertise, has made a significant impact. This is what true community is all about, and I deeply appreciate the opportunity to work alongside you.

Thank you once again for your unwavering support.

GARDEN LOVE

How fortunate are we to have Sim working her magic in our garden? It's truly exciting to watch everything grow, and the joy our students experience from harvesting and enjoying fresh produce is nothing short of amazing.