From the Principal Team

2027 Grade Combinations

Next month, staff will begin planning grade combinations for 2027, with Step Up sessions scheduled for later in the term. The process begins with grade teachers, specialist teachers and the leadership team reflecting on the dynamics within each grade and considering how best to support students in their new classes.

As part of this process, students will be invited to share their friendship preferences, as they have in previous years. Parents/carers are also welcome to provide optional feedback to help inform class placements for next year.

Please note the following regarding parent/carer input:

Providing input is optionaland must be submitted via the Google Form only: https://forms.gle/k8cH1SyPFHs7iW5a8
Feedback should focus solely on your child’s individual needs. Requests based on perceptions of a particular teacher’s performance or personality will not be considered.
While parent/carer input is valued and considered, staff make the final decisions. These decisions take into account the academic, social and emotional needs of all students, as well as the dynamics within each grade.
The deadline for submissions is Wednesday 28 October at 9:00am. Due to the timelines involved in this process, late submissions cannot be considered.
Responses are limited to 750 characters per child, so please keep your feedback concise.
Please do not send additional emails regarding class placements. All information should be submitted through the Google Form so it can be considered consistently as part of the process. If further clarification is required, parents/carers will be contacted directly.

Our staff are committed to working collaboratively to make thoughtful, considered decisions that support positive transitions for all students and teachers. We appreciate your support and trust as we work through this important process.

2027 Prep Transition

Our 2027 Prep Transition Program will begin next Thursday evening, with an online information session for parents and carers.

An optional Transition Session will be held in the first week of November, followed by four formal sessions over the coming weeks. The program will conclude with a BBQ later in the term, bringing together new and existing families as we support our youngest learners in their exciting transition to school.

We look forward to welcoming our new Bell families and those returning with their next child starting Prep in 2027.

Instrumental Music Lessons in 2027

Last term, we communicated with families currently accessing instrumental music lessons through external providers during the school day, to share an update about arrangements for 2027. For families considering instrumental music lessons through an external provider, we would like to share the below updates for available options from next year.

Due to increased student enrolments, all available classrooms will be required for regular classroom teaching. As a result, external instrumental music lessons during the school day will be limited to specific days and times.

Arrangements will be as follows:

Melodic Minors: Tuesdays, with lessons available from 8:00 am, throughout the day and during break times where appropriate.
Tracey Hogue: Wednesdays from 2:10 pm to 5:00 pm, including second break.
PMI: Will contact interested families directly to discuss preferred options for after-school lesson days.

These arrangements reflect the school’s available spaces and operational requirements.

Parent/Carer Q&A Session

Families seeking further information about arrangements for 2027 external music lessons are welcome to attend an online Q&A session:

Date: Thursday 22 October
Time: 5:00 pm
Location: Online, with the meeting link to be shared via Compass

Pupil Free Day

As communicated earlier in the year, Monday 2 November will be a pupil-free day, with staff participating in a combined Professional Practice Day. This provides families with the opportunity to enjoy a potential Melbourne Cup long weekend, while giving teachers dedicated time to analyse Semester 2 assessment data and complete student reporting.

Team Kids will offer care on the day, subject to sufficient demand.

Second Hand Uniform Shop Opening in New Shed

From next week, the Second-Hand Uniform Shop will be operating from our new shed. The shop’s opening hours will remain unchanged (Wednesday mornings and Fridays afternoons) and we look forward to continuing to provide families with an affordable and sustainable option for school uniforms in its new location.

Emma Heywood

Principal