Messages from the Principal
Hello NPS Families,
It is a little surreal to say, however, this will be the last 'official' newsletter for 2025! They say that time flies when you are having fun, and there has certainly been a lot of that through this year. There has also been a lot of learning, teaching, and growth as well, which, as a Principal, is largely the "fun" that I like to see and be part of.
Our staff and students have been nothing short of tremendous throughout 2025. Year in year out, we continue to strengthen our practices and processes, and we know this is working because the data sets and metrics we use as a school to track our growth tell us that we are on the right track!
Our NAPLAN data plays a large part in those key pieces of information, and this year saw us have stronger data than our network schools in all 10 areas of NAPLAN assessment in years 3 and 5, as well as stronger data in 7 of those 10 areas against schools across the state. A great achievement!
As a school, we have so much to be proud of, yet also know that we have work to do in key areas, which we have already started. I am genuinely excited to see what next year will bring!
I want to thank ANY and ALL families that have assisted us throughout the year in whatever capacity! From events, camps, incursions, working bees, fundraisers, breakfast club, and those of you on School Council - THANK YOU! It's a little tricky to articulate just how helpful the small things you do are; however, you need to know that whatever it is you do to support - goes a VERY long way in assisting our great little school!
Now...
As we have shared in previous years, every year we undertake quite a complex process of developing our grade and year level structures, teacher placements, and grade lists.
Our staff and students will be participating in our whole school 'step-up day' on Tuesday, 16th Dec - where staff and students will spend the morning getting to know their new classes.
Finalising the staff and student components of our school is always challenging, with many contributing factors and considerations; however, our final decisions are always made with the best interests of our students at the core.
Listed below, you will see our staffing profile for 2026, as well as which teachers are placed in which learning areas within the school.
2026 Staffing Placements
- Prep Learning Area
- FAS - Alisha Sadowy
- Junior Learning Area
- JRS - Rob Steinman (Learning Specialist)
- JLM - Lisa Maher
- Middle Learning Area
- MPO - Patrick O'Meara
- MCP - Cindy Podhorsy
- Senior Learning Area
- SRW - Rowena Weller
- SLM - Luis McClelland
- Specialist Learning Area
- Visual Arts - Aimee Smith
- Music/Performing Arts - Kerrie Bedson
- Indonesian - Nat Jones
- Physical Education - Jarrod McKinnis
- Other
- Inclusive Practice Leader - Annalise Cooper
We will also have the following Educational Support, and Administration Staff with us in 2026;
- Business Manager - Ali Giuricin
- Administration - Renee Lilley
- Occupational Therapist - Amy Frueh
- Student Wellbeing Councillor - Laura Young
- Classroom-based Education Support Staff
- Fiona Boreham
- Deb Duncan
- Mel Anderson
- Meg Lang
- Marsha Janetzki
- Paige Fopiani
- Jake Nihill
You will notice that there have not been sweeping changes to learning areas, and we have done this for consistency and to build on the exceptional practices we have developed this year.
You may also notice that there are some current staff not featured in the above lists. We will certainly celebrate and farewell these staff at our final assembly for the year - the staff who will not be with us in 2026 are;
Michelle Baird (SLA Teacher) will be taking extended leave in 2026.
Bianca Taverna (Visual Arts), we will be farewelling Bianca at the end of this year as she embarks on new career endeavours.
... and lastly, but certainly not least, after an incredible 26 years here at NPS, Amanda Grinter (Administration) will be concluding her NPS journey at the end of this year.
Again, it has been a remarkable year. To be able to undertake and fit in all that we do in a calendar year, and do it well, is quite the feat. I am very proud to be Principal of this great school and its community, and again am looking forward to ramping up the expectations and emphasis on what our students and staff can and will achieve!
As always, thank you for reading. Have a great weekend, and bye for now!
Corrie Barclay
Principal.
