Principal's Post
TERM 4: 2025 Week 9-10: reminders and critical messages
Principal's Message
As we prepare to wrap up the year, I want to extend my sincere thanks to our students, families and staff for their ongoing support, hard work and partnership throughout 2025. We have a final newsletter next week, in which we will share detailed information about our staffing lists and class allocations for 2026, year level learning and event celebrations and whole school celebrations, amongst other items.
In this post we share the final arrangements for the last week of school to help ensure a smooth and positive finish to the year, as well core information relating to the start up of Term 1, 2026.
As our community will be aware, we held our whole school step-up day this Tuesday 9th December, which saw students meet their new teacher and class for 2026. This transition day marked the final step in a series of lengthy preparations undertaken by the school in forming new classes—a process we approach thoughtfully, carefully and with the utmost professionalism. Despite approaching class placements with thoughtful consideration, we also recognise that not every placement will meet all expectations and there may be some parents who feel dissatisfied or students who feel disappointed with their class. Although we recognise that not every student will receive their preferred placement and understand that some students may feel unhappy, we are unable to make changes once the classes have been finalised. We always welcome parent feedback to help us understand our students’ perspectives, but also ask that families communicate respectfully and take a moment to recognise the considerable time and careful decision-making that has informed this process thus far.
Across the final few weeks of this term, we have focussed on our whole school Assembly behaviours to ensure that our student captains are listened to respectfully, and that our award recipients are acknowledged fully. By tuning in on these expectations, students have been engaging with greater attention and mindfulness - we thank any parent who has encouraged their child to strengthen these behaviours.
Finally, we wish all our families who celebrate Hanukkah, a wonderful weekend as they observe this important festival with each other.
Katie McClue - Acting Principal
Key Events (Week 11)
Week 11: 15-19/12 | T: Year 6 Graduation (Yarraville Club) W: End of Semester Reports published Th: Year 6 Celebration- S1+2 Year book and t-shirt signing, S3+4 at McIvor Reserve F: Final Day Assembly - 1:00pm for 1:30pm Dismissal |
Critical Messages
Year 6 Graduation & Farewell:
Tuesday 16th December → Venue: Yarraville Club → Time: 6pm-8pm
Your child should be arriving home on Friday 12th December with their graduation tickets - however, please reach out to Year 6 facilitator, Sofia Courtney should your child not be in possession of theirs.
While students will be provided with food after the graduation ceremony as part of the celebration/disco, families are encouraged to organise a meal for their child prior to the graduation ceremony.
Associated detailed information is available on your Sentral Parent Portal - under Portal Documents titled, 'Year 6 End-of-Year Celebrations'
Year 6 Celebration Event: On Thursday 18th December, our Year 6 students have a day of celebration planned. Detailed information has already been shared with parents, via Sentral, however the general shape of the day is as follows:
- Session 1/2: Year Book and T-Shirt Signing
- Session 3/4: McIvor Reserve Games & Picnic
Associated detailed information is available on your Sentral Parent Portal - under Portal Documents
Canteen: The canteen will operate on Friday Dec 19th for lunch orders. Thank you to Leo and his team for all their work this year.
Final Assembly: Will commence at 1:00pm - in preparation for a 1:30pm dismissal. Our final assembly will also see our Year 6 students perform their end of Year Dance.
End of Semester Reports: Student reports will be published at end of the day on Wednesday 17th December. Parents will receive an email from Sentral, informing them when reports have been published to the portal. We kindly remind parents to read the explanatory information that will be attached to both this Sentral notice, as well as inside the front cover of the actual report. The information will remind parents about the transition to Victorian Curriculum 2.0 and how to interpret the reports.
Final Newsletter: As well sharing learning samples and highlights from your child's year level, the final newsletter will also detaile a number of operational items for 2026, including:
- Full Class/Staffing Lists
- 2025 Start Up Dates
- Term Dates
- Curriculum Days
2026 School Dates: Term 1
Tuesday 27th January - Curriculum Day (Pupil Free Day)
Wednesday 28th January - Curriculum Day (Pupil Free Day)
Thursday 29th January - Year 1 to Year 6 students commence
Monday 2nd February - Prep Students commence
Their Care will be running their program, should you wish to book care for your child on the aforementioned Curriculum Days.
1:1 Device Program/Device Access 2026: Information was shared via Sentral on Tuesday 9th about Wembley's transition to leased devices, in response to recent Departmental changes to guidance and policy. This is of particular relevance to our current Year 3 students, who will begin Year 4 in 2026.
Safe Steps Donations: Thank you to one of our families who has organised a school-wide donation drive for Safe Steps, Victoria’s state-wide 24/7 family violence support service.
Safe Steps provides emergency accommodation, crisis support, counselling, and essential items to women and children who have had to leave everything behind to escape violence.
We have a large collection box at the front office entrance if any families would like to donate items - particularly important at this time of year. If you are interested, please see the guidance below and drop items with your child's classroom teacher, or at the office. The last day for collections is the 15th December, as everything will be collected on the 16th. Thank you to everyone who has made a donation so far.
🚫 Items they cannot accept:
No second-hand items
Please include batteries if the toy requires them
Items must meet Australian standards and include required cautionary labelling
🎁 Items they would love to receive:
Vouchers (especially for 13+; great due to limited storage space)
Sensory toys (weighted toys, fidget toys, breathing/sensory regulation toys)
Craft and activity packs
Gifts for older teens (make-up, headphones, speakers, sports equipment)
🧸 Other much-needed items for all ages:
Cars and trucks
Dinosaurs
Dolls (especially diverse dolls representing Australia’s population)
Colouring books, pencils, crayons
Blocks
Drink bottles
Baby toys and items
Board games
Parent Helper Morning Tea: Thank you to everyone who has helped us this year - please join us this Wednesday for a celebration morning tea.
