Principal's News

Dear Clayton North Primary School Community

Welcome to Term 4!

It has been a busy and positive start to the final term of the school year, with plenty already underway and a lot to look forward to over the next eight weeks.

Behind the scenes, significant work is taking place as we begin planning for 2027, including workforce planning, curriculum organisation and the programs and opportunities we want to continue strengthening for our students. At the same time, our focus remains firmly on making the most of every remaining week of learning this year. 

Our improvement work is continuing to take shape. Staff are strengthening the use of the Victorian Lesson Plans, Daily Reviews and our Positive Classroom Management Strategies (PCMS) to support greater consistency and quality in classroom practice.

A particular focus remains on ensuring students are clear about what they are learning, what success looks like and how teachers check for understanding throughout lessons. These approaches are helping us enhance classroom practice and ensure that teaching is responsive to what students know and need to learn next.

In our Foundation–Year 2 classrooms, considerable work has also gone into strengthening our phonics resources. Every student will have access to a phonics placemat to support consistent practice in reading and spelling. 

Earlier this term, a group of our Year 3/4 girls visited the STEM Gallery, where they had the opportunity to explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics in engaging and practical ways.

Experiences such as these are valuable not only because they extend classroom learning, but because they broaden students’ understanding of where STEM can lead. It was wonderful to hear students sharing aspirations including careers in medicine, pharmacy, teaching, cooking and the arts. Each student also returned with a STEM-related book to help continue that curiosity and inspiration.

Our students have also been involved in a range of sporting opportunities. Following strong performances at District level, a number of students progressed to Division Athletics, while others have represented CNPS in Division Volleyball.

I am thrilled to announce that Katerina Achladi, Year 4, was placed second in the Division Shotput, thus qualifying her to compete at the State level championships next week!

Our younger students also enjoyed a special F–2 sports morning, that Chris organised, which had them rotating through eight different activities, with our Year 5/6 students supporting and leading the activities, demonstrating responsibility, encouragement and leadership with their younger peers.

Looking ahead to 2027, Chris is exploring opportunities to expand interschool sport and provide students with more regular opportunities to represent CNPS.

This week, we welcomed children from Guardian Childcare into our Foundation classrooms to experience a small taste of primary school. Our Foundation students proudly took on the role of guides, helping their younger visitors participate in activities and feel comfortable in the school environment.

It was a lovely reminder of how much our Foundation children themselves have grown since the beginning of the year, and an important part of continuing to strengthen transition into school.

There is still much to come this term, including transition activities, Year 6 Graduation, end-of-year celebrations and many opportunities for students to continue learning, participating and contributing to school life.

Term 4 can become very busy very quickly, but it is also an important period of consolidation and growth. We want every student to finish the year strongly, proud of what they have achieved and ready for the next stage of their learning.

The concrete surface beneath our Covered Outdoor Learning Area (COLA) was resurfaced over the September school holidays, further improving this highly valued space. It has been great to see students already making full use of the upgraded area for tennis, volleyball and a range of other sporting and recreational activities throughout the school day.

The enhancement of our front entrance has also now been completed, and the transformation looks fantastic. As the main entry point for students, families, visitors and prospective families, this space plays an important role in creating a welcoming first impression of Clayton North Primary School. The refreshed entrance better reflects the pride we have in our school and the warm, inclusive community within.

Well-deserved Recognition

I am very proud to share that Manpreet was recently nominated by Monash University’s Faculty of Education as an Outstanding Organiser of Teaching Placements (OTP), recognising her dedication to supporting and mentoring the next generation of teachers.

Over the last two years, Manpreet has played an important role in welcoming Master of TESOL students to Clayton North Primary School, coordinating their placements and ensuring they were well supported as they embark on their first steps into the teaching profession. Her commitment, care and genuine enjoyment of mentoring others made a real difference to the experiences of these aspiring teachers.

I had the pleasure of accompanying Manpreet to a special recognition event at Monash University on Friday 16 October, where the contributions of placement organisers, mentor teachers and schools were celebrated. It was a lovely opportunity to see her dedication and efforts acknowledged beyond our school community.

Congratulations, Manpreet! This is such a well-deserved recognition, and I was delighted to be there to share this special occasion with you.

Parent Opinion Survey

Thank you to the families who completed the survey last term. The 2026 Parent Opinion Survey results remain very positive overall and show progress in several areas identified for improvement in 2025. Stimulating Learning Environment increased from 79% to 83%, while 84% of parents now indicate that they understand how their child is assessed. Strong results were also maintained in School Connectedness (90%), Physical Environment (90%), General Satisfaction (86%) and Parent Participation and Involvement (86%).

Areas identified for continued focus in 2027 include strengthening students’ organisational skills, currently at 76%, and further building students’ confidence in using strategies to respond to bullying, also at 76%. Teacher–parent communication also emerges as an important area for improvement, particularly communication about individual student progress, which received 68% positive responses.

Whilehigh expectations for success remain positive at 85%, this is lower than the 90% recorded in 2025 and reinforces the importance of continuing our focus on academic challenge, high expectations and strong learning growth for every student.

Student-Free Days this term

A reminder to families that Monday, 9th November is a student-free day; children are not requred at school. 

Please also note that Tuesday 3rd November is the Melbourne Cup public holiday.

School Uniform

I continue to seek your support with the Clayton North Uniform Policy, which is attached below for your reference. Uniform items can be purchased from PSW, our uniform provider, located on Springvale Road in Glen Waverley.

To generate school pride and improve community perception of CNPS, it is important that all students attend in proper school uniform. 

The office has supported several families with school shoes and uniform vouchers, so please come and have a conversation. 

Over the coming months, we will begin transitioning to the updated CNPS school uniform featuring our new school logo. This transition has already commenced with our new Foundation students, who are expected to wear the new-logo uniform.

If your child has outgrown their current school T-shirt and/or jacket, please purchase the new-logo version when replacing these items. We ask families not to purchase additional old-logo uniform items where a new-logo option is available, so that we can consistently move towards the updated uniform across the school.

Thank you, as always, to our families for your continued support and partnership.

Sue Simadri