Assistant Principal Reports

Hello Everyone,

Volunteers Needed!

Calling all DPW family members who have completed the Volunteer Induction this year! We require urgent assistance to do some laminating, and stamp and label a considerable number of new books that have been purchased to support student learning. If you could spare at least 30 minutes of your time, it would be very much appreciated.

Please see Kelly, or myself, at the office if you are able to help.

SWPBS Blitz Focus: Be Safe – In the Yard

The safety of everyone at our school is a top priority. Recently we have had a number of incidents in the yard with students not using the sport equipment in the right way. 

Our Positive Climate Team has requested a school-wide blitz around one area of our School Values Matrix:  Be Safe – In the Yard

We ask that everyone, including our DPW families, take some time to talk about what the expected behaviour in the yard is. 

Pride and Integrity Raffle 

This raffle recognizes all the students who are attending school on time.  This is to acknowledge the students demonstrating Pride and Integrity by being ready to learn each day.

Every student who is at school, and in their classroom, before the bell (9am) will have their name added to the class attendance box. So, if they are present on time, every day of the week, they will have 5 entries into the raffle. 

Last week’s class winners were: 

FB – Harlem, 1A – Hannah, 1B – Beyza, 2B – Isaiah, 3B – Siddak, 3C – Hamza, 4A – Naeb, 4B – Audrey, 4C – Thomas, 5A – Abigail, 5C – Shona, 6A – Zain, 6B – Jeslyn, 6C - Max

The raffle winner was Hannah from 1A! Congratulations! 

Hannah received 15 PACs for Pride & Integrity

2025 Term 3 Challenge of the Week

Week 4: Word Web Challenge 

This week’s topic for the challenge is Science.

You need to find as many words as possible related to the topic/word in the centre of the web. You can continue the web as much as you can.

You must collaborate with at least one other person (a friend, parent, classmate, etc) and no more than 3 other people. If you do not collaborate, you will not receive a PAC for collaboration.

Students collaborating for week 3’s Word Web Challenge for Celebration earnt two PACs card each. 

The students were:

Riley (& mum and sister) 1A

Sabrina (& family) 4B

Kind regards,

Deanne Scott

Assistant Principal 

Staff Professional Learning – Victorian Teaching and Learning Model 2.0

This term, our teachers have been continuing their professional learning with the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model (VTLM) 2.0, focusing on how students retain and recall knowledge. This work helps us better understand how learning happens over time and how we can support students to build lasting understanding.

A key part of this is exploring how memory works in the classroom. Learning isn’t just about understanding something once—it’s about being able to remember and use that knowledge when it’s needed. That’s why we’re using strategies that help students strengthen memory and improve recall.

What Is Cognitive Load?

One important concept we’re learning about is cognitive load. This refers to how much information a student’s brain can process at once. If we give too much new content too quickly, it can overwhelm students and make learning harder. Think of it like trying to carry too many groceries at once—some things might get dropped!

To help with this, teachers use strategies that reduce unnecessary load and make learning more manageable. These include:

• Breaking lessons into smaller, focused steps
• Using visuals, examples, and models to support understanding
• Revisiting key ideas regularly to strengthen memory
• Using fun, low-pressure recall activities like quizzes and games

What This Looks Like in Classrooms

You might notice students using knowledge organisers (simple summaries of key facts), engaging in retrieval practice (recalling past learning), and participating in activities that help them connect new ideas to what they already know. These approaches help students build confidence and deepen their understanding.

How You Can Support at Home

You can help reinforce learning by:

• Asking your child what they learned today
• Encouraging them to explain ideas in their own words
• Using flashcards or simple review games to make recall fun

2026 Foundation Enrolments

Enrolments for Foundation (Prep) 2026 at Deer Park West Primary School are still open!

Starting school is a big milestone in a child’s life, and we are here to support families every step of the way. At Deer Park West Primary, we are proud to offer a welcoming, inclusive and nurturing environment where every child can learn, grow and thrive.

As we prepare to welcome our 2026 Foundation students, we’re also continuing our strong partnerships with local kindergartens to ensure a smooth and positive transition to school. We’re working with kinder teachers to plan visits, share helpful information, and help children feel confident and excited about starting school.

Throughout this term, we are excited to welcome children from our local kindergartens for school visits. These sessions give our future students the chance to explore our learning spaces, experience life at school, and meet some of the friendly teachers and students who will be part of their journey next year. 

If you have a child starting school next year, or know someone who does, please contact our school office for more information about the enrolment process. We’re here to help make this transition a positive experience for every child and family.

Kind regards,

Joshua Fielding

Assistant Principal