Principal's Report
Jells Park Primary School
Principal: Kevin Oakey
Assistant Principal: Kellie Stewart
Assistant Principal: Scott Zachariassen
s.zachariassen@jpps.vic.edu.au
Final 2026 Staffing announcements:
I am pleased to announce the following additions to our staff for 2026:
* Amelia Van Steel - joining Level 3 team with Rebecca Wroe, Natalya Hajj,
* Claire Bartlett - Business Manager
* Jessie Wu - LOTE (Mandarin)
Welcome to Jells park PS and we know you will love our vibrant and active school.
Concert - Mindfulness
Following on from concert, I would like to re-iterate my thoughts on Mindfulness:
Mindfulness allows us to be responsive to our experiences rather than reactive, and to live with greater balance, presence and connection.
Practicing mindfulness every day has so many benefits:
- Improved Concentration - enhanced focus and mental clarity, and better decision-making.
- Emotional Regulation - managing emotions so less anxiety and depression.
- Stress Reduction - improved overall mental health.
- Enhanced Relationships - the ability to relate to others with kindness and compassion.
- And Physical Health Benefits - improved sleep.
These benefits contribute to better overall health and quality of life. So, everybody, please take care of yourselves, especially as such a busy time as Christmas.
LOTE changes
In 2026 we will be commencing LOTE (Mandarin) from Foundation through to Level 6. For Foundation, Level 1 and Level 2 LOTE classes will be once a fortnight, with Level 3-6's being weekly.
This will pair with Digital Technology where Foundation, Level 1 and Level 2 classes will be once a week, and Levels 3-6's being fortnightly.
Important Reminders / notes:
Holiday School Works: Please note that we will be having some concreting works done at the main entrance to the Admin Building and at the rear of the senior building and the Level 4 portables at the start of January. This should only impact families attending TeamKids during the holidays.
Happy Holidays
Finally, wishing everyone at Jells Park PS a wonderful break and happy holidays. This is a great time to relax and enjoy time with family and friends. Please be safe and take care of each other.
I look forward to seeing you all back in 2026.
Kevin Oakey
Principal
Student Reports and Continuum Tracker
Student reports will be published on Sentral on Monday 16th December. On this day the Continuum Tracker will also be live for parents to view. Please take some time to read your child’s report and discuss and celebrate their achievements together. As always if you have any concerns regarding your child’s report please contact your child’s classroom teacher.
2026 classes - Meet the Teacher
On Tuesday afternoon students will have the opportunity to meet their 2026 teacher and classmates. A great deal of time and care goes into creating each class, ensuring they are balanced both academically and behaviorally, and always designed with the best interests of all students in mind. To support friendships, every child is invited to list five friends they would like to be with and we guarantee that each student will be placed with at least one of those friends. While it’s natural for children to hope for a particular teacher or certain friends, parents can help by encouraging resilience, reminding their child that new friendships often blossom quickly, and reinforcing the idea that every teacher brings unique strengths to support their learning journey.
Talking positively about the opportunities ahead and modeling flexibility can help children feel confident and excited about their new class.
Thank you
It’s hard to believe another school year has come to an end.
I want to sincerely thank our students, families, and staff for the effort, support, and positivity you’ve brought throughout the year. Together, we’ve celebrated achievements, overcome challenges, and created many memorable moments. With the summer break ahead, I hope you all enjoy some well‑deserved rest, time with loved ones, and plenty of fun!
Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday, and I look forward to welcoming you back for another exciting year of learning and growth.
Kellie Stewart
Assistant Principal