I hope that the last long weekend proved an opportunity to connect with family and friends. It proved an important opportunity for staff to step away from the day-to-day responsibilities of classroom teaching and focus on assessment and reporting responsibilities.

Preps Minibeasts Incursion

Today 7 November 2025

Students enjoyed digging through soil to discover a range of insects today in Prep! What a great adventure that linked to their passions and will springboard into further learning.

Remembrance Day Approaches

11 November 2024

Junior School Councillors have been visiting classes this week selling poppies to support the RSL as Remembrance Day approaches. Our community will be represented by our school captains who will lay a wreath at the Watsonia RSL Cenotaph in the morning. We will note the importance of the day at assembly on this coming Friday.

Transitioning into 2025

We continue to support students and parents to transition into the coming year. We have scheduled three upcoming significant opportunities to begin to understand and connect with the new faces and places .

The first transition session is scheduled for Monday 18 November. It is a chance for the students in their current year to move into the spaces and classrooms where they will learn in 2025. They will have an opportunity to ask questions, discuss differences and connect with peers. They will be grouped in classes that will not reflect their 2025 class, but that will offer them opportunities to mix with different students and form relationships within the planned cohort. The teachers supporting students will be the teachers currently in those year levels and not our 2025 staff.

The second transition experience is planned for Thursday 28 November. This will follow the format of the initial session, but will again see students in classes mixed.

The third transition session is often referred to as ‘Meet the Teacher Day’ on Monday 9 December. It is an opportunity for students to gather in their 2025 class for the first time and meet their teacher. This hour is a chance to get to know each other and consider what 2025 might look like.

As in previous years, the class structure for the coming year will be announced at the Prep Information evening planned for Wednesday 20 November and published in the newsletter on the following day. Teacher allocations to classes will be made at the Volunteer Morning Tea planned for Thursday 5 December.

Prep Orientation Next Week

Friday 15 November

Our third session for the newest of students and parents continues next week. It has been great to have them participate in these important sessions.

FORPS Picnic

Friday 13 December

Make sure this is in your diary. More information will be shared with the community by FORPS. I can hear and smell the sizzling Paella as we draw closer. We are grateful for the sponsorship of TheirCare and the school to ensure everyone can afford attend this community end of year celebration! We look forward to meeting some of our new prep parents and welcoming them to our community.

School Fair Meeting

Thursday 14 November 7:30pm

I encourage you to consider attending next week to join the team of contributors who will support the fair in 2025. The fair has proven not only a powerful fundraiser, but also a significant opportunity to connect with our wider community. In order to go ahead, we are eager to ensure that the responsibilities are spread across a range of parents so that it can be enjoyed by all. Your part is important and your presence next Thursday will reassure the organising group that people are here to support the viability of this event.

Volunteers Morning Tea

Thursday 5 December 11:00am – 11:30am.

One of the celebratory functions we have each year is our morning tea marking the contribution of volunteers in our school. Hosted by the staff, it is an event that leaves me with a great deal of nerves. There is always the possibility that people may be left off invitations lists in error … many of our volunteers come and go without anyone knowing! So many of our volunteers read to students, keep our sustainability garden weeded, keep an eye on lost property, flip sausages, participate in meetings, attend working bees, care for our property and share in the organisation of excursions … and lots more. Please don’t wait to be invited. If you do not receive an invitation then please consider yourself invited.

Evacuation Drill (Shelter in Place)

Today 7 November

As we do each term, students will participate in an Evacuation Drill today. After lunch students will head to our ‘Shelter in Place’ location and discuss what possible emergencies might require us to gather in this way. Our scenario suggested a chemical leak from a neighbouring industrial site requiring us to be prepared for an evacuation of the site, but to remain indoors. In this scenario students would gather in the hall where access to water, communications and toilets remain viable. Students will be encouraged to evaluate the drill with their class over the coming days.

Working Bee

Saturday 16 November 9-12noon

There are lots of jobs planned for our upcoming Working Bee. Please consider joining us. We'll be pruning, creating an arch in the sustainability garden, dressing up the student sports shed and more.

Every hand makes a difference. Bring along your hard shoes, hat and gloves for a community morning.

Students & Learning

Classroom Learning with 5/6C