Principal's Report

An incredible start to the year!

The first newsletter of the year is a time when I congratulate and acknowledge the positive start that everyone has had to the year. Whilst this is always the case, I cannot recall such a positive, exciting and feelgood start to the year as we have had this year. It might only have been a few days back at school, and what a great few days they have been.

In the Assistant Principal section of this newsletter, Nicole describes the work that staff undertook across the two curriculum days last week. It is the first time during my time as principal that we have dedicated two days as pupil-free at the start of the year. We know how much everyone wants the students to begin school as soon as possible, however having the two days has enabled us to have this wonderful start to the year, setting us up beautifully for a year to remember.

Students have returned to school with a positive mindset and high levels of responsiveness. When I am visiting classrooms, I am struck by the high levels of respect that every class is displaying, as teachers establish procedures and routines. In the corridors, students are transitioning between lessons in a calm and cool manner. On the yard, the grounds are being kept immaculate, and the students are ready to go back to class as soon as the bell sounds.  

Investing the time into establishing these high expectations will set up every classroom to the optimum level as students work through their learning.

Thank you to families for your support in preparing our students for another year of learning. Thank you to staff for their preparation in creating such welcoming environments. And of course, well done to the students for responding so well to all the changes that the start of a new year brings.

Congratulations to our Foundation students

The start of a school year is a big adjustment for everyone, in particular for the Foundation students who are experiencing school for the first time. 

We are very proud of our youngest cohort. They have had an amazing start to school life. They are familiar with their teachers, classmates and the spaces. Their rooms are filled with warmth and connectivity. I am sure that parents had tired faces greet them at the end of the day, however these faces that were full of joy.

Year 6 uniform

You might have noticed a splash of blue around the place. Day two of term and the students were already in their commemorative tops – they have chosen very well! Not only do they look the part in their new attire, but they are already setting a great example as the seniors of the school.

What’s new this year?

As communicated late last year, we are implementing a few changes. These changes are a result of data collection, staff consultation, and parent feedback.

• Parents are now able to email teachers directly via Compass (details were communicated last week).
• Parents will receive termly year level newsletters from the teachers. The first will be communicated via Compass on Monday.
• The school is establishing ways to use Compass to communicate directly to parents about their children’s progress and achievements.
• Mini assemblies will take place twice a term. These are assemblies where I will meet with students in their cohorts to support our School Wide Positive Behaviour Support work. The first two assemblies – for Years 1&2 and 3&4 – occurred yesterday and today. You might like to ask your child about what was discussed.

Prioritising our work for 2026

2026 is a year of review for our school. School Reviews occur every four years, and we look forward to term three when we review achievement against our previous targets, and set our new targets. 

We will continue to use the newsletter to communicate our learning priorities. Binh (Literacy Learning Specialist) and Sophie (Numeracy Learning Specialist) will outline our work. 

Our main focus is captured in the questions below:

• Literacy: How do we effectively use explicit teaching and supported application to improve writing outcomes?
• Numeracy:How do we challenge all our learners?

Welcome assembly

Everyone is invited to attend our welcome assembly, this Friday at 9am at the fig tree courtyard. At this assembly we welcome our Foundation students, and also introduce our Year 6 leaders.

Thank you for your support and enjoy the rest of your week.

Paul Wallace

Principal