Principal's Report

Thank you to our wonderful Year 5 & 6 staff and students who participated in our 2026 Day Camp. A special mention to Miss Dyer, who led the organisation of this 3-day adventure. Be sure to take a look at the additional page in this newsletter, which features a wonderful selection of photos showing how much fun was had. Well done, everyone! 

State Principal's Conference 

This week, Ms Gittos, Mr Kirkrigh, and I had the privilege of attending the State Principals Conference at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. This brought together Principals from across Victoria for both professional learning and collaboration. Many Keynote speakers highlighted the importance of strong instructional leadership, evidence-based practice, and consistent whole-school approaches to improve student outcomes. A key theme was the growing complexity of school leadership, with discussions focused on balancing operational demands with sustained improvement in teaching and learning. 

Smaller workshops provided practical strategies in areas such as data-informed decision-making, explicit teaching, inclusion, and student wellbeing. Across sessions, there was a strong emphasis on distributed leadership and building collective efficacy within school teams.

The conference also highlighted the ongoing implementation of the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model 2.0 (VTLM), which all schools must have in place by 2028. This system implementation relies on strong professional networks and support structures, through educational experts such as Dr Nathaniel Swain and organisations, such as the Australian Educational Research Organisation (AERO).

Overall, the conference reinforced a shared commitment to collaboration, continuous improvement and strengthening leadership across Victorian schools.

Security Upgrade 

We have been advised that our application for a security upgrade grant for the front of the school has been successful, with funding of approximately $80,000. This is a very welcome outcome and was something that we had discussed at School Council soon after I commenced as the Whittlesea Primary School Principal in 2024.

The upgrade will deliver a state-of-the-art security system incorporating a range of enhanced features, including access control with intruder detection, CCTV coverage, and an intercom system, which will be at our school entry at the front of our Heritage Building. I have also spoken with the contractor about the heritage façade and the importance of maintaining the building's integrity throughout the installation process. Work may commence as soon as the next school holidays, subject to confirmation of the schedule.

Podcast Club - Episode #11

Showing Our Expected Behaviours 

Throughout this week, I have also had many conversations with students, reminding them of our School Expected Behaviours, which they can all articulate very well. I reminded them of t my principal's reports at our last school assemblies, where I did admit to having a favourite expectation: Help Others Suceed. Part of the conversation was about how important it is that we learn about these expectations, but even more important, that we show them. This is equally important both in the classroom and during our breaks.  

Enjoy your weekends,

Kaylene