Principal's Report

Art Show 

What an awesome community event this year’s Art Show was! The weather was fantastic which encouraged a huge number of families to attend. I think every year seems to be bigger than the last. The Art Show is my favourite PPS event. Families get to catch up with other families, and there is always a lovely buzz around the school with people enjoying themselves.  

Once again, the quality of the artwork was amazing. I am always in awe of the quality of the work. Our two magnificent art teachers, Edwina Atkins and Mavra Kotsabouikis did a magnificent job of displaying a wide variety of art pieces. This year there were a lot more 3D pieces of art which were very impressive. Some of the food items looked so real you could have taken a bite! 

The artwork is a culmination of an extensive art program that Edwina and Mavra build upon each year. They were very proud of the final exhibition. 

Most years the task of choosing the Principal’s Award is a very difficult one. I usually mull over my decision for a couple of days, however this year was very different. The portrait which was done by Freida Z caught my eye immediately and as much as I looked at other pieces I kept returning to it. 

Freida used pastels to draw a portrait of her friend Ava Y. The portraits were inspired by the Grade 6 students’ trip to the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra earlier this year. 

Although the art exhibition is the major focus of the day, we also include performances by our other Arts areas including the choirs and school band. Our choirs were outstanding and sang several hit songs. Thanks to our choir teachers, Ursula V and Aimee C - P/1, Renee M and Stav V - 2/3 and Katia A and Aislinn F - 4/5/6 and thanks to our band leader Jason Sofra.

Thanks to Gary King who set up the display boards and Dale Adams for setting up the BBQs and then dismantling and packing everything away. Thanks to Fabian Harcus for assisting Dale with the organisation leading up the event and throughout the day on Friday. Thanks to all of the staff who came along and helped out with various jobs, their hard work was greatly appreciated. Thanks to all of the parents who helped on the night, doing a variety of tasks, your assistance was also greatly appreciated. 

Thanks to all of the families who came along on Friday night to support our Annual Preston Arts Extravaganza. 

And most importantly to our very talented students for without them there would be no Art Show! 

End Of Year

The end of the school year is fast approaching, and the staff has been working very hard getting everything finalised before the school year ends. On Monday the staff spent the day completing each child’s report. Once they are printed, they will be given to me to read and sign. Portfolios will be sent home on Tuesday December 16th. 

Our teachers have also been spending a great deal of time compiling the grades for 2026. This is a very complex task as many things need to be considered. While we guarantee that every child is placed with a friend, we need to ensure grades have a balanced mix of gender and ability. This year’s teachers have trialled different grade combinations throughout this term to ensure they have the mix right for all children. The grades are now finalised, so we cannot take into consideration any requests. 

On Tuesday December 9th the children will be spending the morning in their 2026 grade with their 2025 teacher. We have done this for many years, and it has proved to be very successful. It gives the teachers the opportunity to meet the children and for the children to meet their teacher and fellow classmates. Our Grade 6 students will be attending Orientation Day at their secondary schools on the same day.

In 2026 our school structure will be the same as this year. We will be having:

5 Prep Grades,                5 Grade 1’s,                   4 Grade 2’s                    4 Grade 3’s,       

4 Grade 4’s                       4 Grade 5’s                    4 Grade 6’s

Pupil Free Day 

On Friday December 12th we are having our final Pupil Free Day for 2025. Staff will spend the first half of the day updating their first aid training and the second half of the day will focus on student information handover to the members of the 2026 teaching team. This is a very valuable exercise as it provides the students current teachers to pass on important information to their 2026 teachers. If time permits the 2026 teaching teams will begin planning for next year. 

Grounds Works 

We currently have landscapers on site at the Junior School replacing the pier and the asphalt areas. Sadly, the sleepers on the pier have started to rot and are causing safety issues. Over the years we have replaced some of the sleepers however it has reached the stage where it all needs to be replaced. In conjunction with the landscaper, we have decided to replace it with coloured concrete, which they will make look like individual sleepers. 

The asphalt area has several trip hazards due to the roots of the peppercorn tree. Under the advice of an arborist, we are having a root barrier put in and new asphalt laid. 

Building Works 

I have been advised by the architect that a preferred builder has been chosen to undertake the building works at the Junior School. We are now awaiting the approval of the VSBA so that the company can sign the contracts and start work. The timeline I have been given is that the builder should be on site some time during December. We all have our fingers crossed! 

Timetable 

In weeks 10 and 11 we will be having a different timetable. The reason for the change is to allow teachers to spend a greater amount of time together reviewing 2025 and planning for 2026. Each of the 2025 teams will complete their year level Performance Stories. The Performance Story is a review of the 2025 year. It gives teams the opportunity to reflect on what has been successful in 2025 and things they would change moving forward. The information is shared with the leadership team and the 2026 year level team. Teachers will also spend time with their 2026 team to plan for next year. 

Celebrate International Day of People with Disability

International Day of People with Disability is a United Nations Day observed on the 3rd of December each year. The aim is to increase awareness, understanding, and acceptance of people with disability.

By acknowledging this important day, we can all do our bit to ensure people with a disability can take part in and contribute to society. We can help to remove barriers for people with disability and contribute to positive change in our classrooms and our community. 

We encourage all students, their families and carers to get involved in this day. Together, we can all take action to challenge perceptions about disability, remove barriers, and promote inclusive and respectful attitudes and behaviours in our school and community. 

Regards,

Janet Paterson,

Principal.