Principal Report

Good afternoon families,

Although the newsletter comes out on Thursdays these days, I often complete my piece earlier in the week. I’m writing this on the Tuesday before the Year 5 and 6 students have their two big performances on Thursday 29th October, and the nervous excitement is starting to feel palpable among the cohort, not to mention their teachers! I’ll be there to support both performances and wish them all the best of luck. Break a leg! Hopefully you’ve all managed to snap up a ticket too.

Colour Run Success

As you may already know, we’ve been blown away by the generosity and support our school community has shown as part of this year’s fundraising effort. As this was our first ever Colour Run, we weren’t sure what to expect, but thanks to Michelle, our Year 2 teacher with previous experience running this event, and our amazing Parents Club members, the months-long fundraising effort and the massive Friday afternoon on October 16th were a big success. A huge thank you also to the parents who volunteered on the day to make sure our students got to and from the oval safely and received a good smattering of colour powder whilst there. We could not have done it without your wonderful help. Thank you, too, to the families who helped spread the word and raise funds from the broader community. The $30,000+ will go towards paying for our exciting new yard spaces, which are due to be finished this weekend.

For those who may have heard that I volunteered to be slimed if we reached the stretch goal of $30K, this will happen at an upcoming assembly. I just need to time it with my hair-washing cycle and a nice sunny day! I will keep the NLPS community posted.

Semester 2 Open Classrooms

As part of a now well-established tradition, families will be invited into classrooms later this term on Thursday 26th November (Week 8) from 3:15-3:45pm, to explore students’ learning spaces and celebrate the wonderful work being done, before we begin the end of year pack down. 

2027 Foundation Transition Program 

We’re proud of the thorough transition program we provide for students beginning Foundation the following year. For the past two years, this program has run over three sessions. Its aim is to build student confidence and familiarity with the school environment, routines, staff and future classmates - helping to ensure a smooth and positive start to their school journey.

If you have a child starting primary school with us in 2027, please keep an eye out for more details via email or refer to the Whole School News page and make sure you register to attend on the evening of the 17th - the whole family is welcome. We have made the switch to the evening time to allow for more parents to attend and because we are partnering up with Hobsons Bay City Council as part of a pilot program to help set up not just foundation students, but their whole family, for success in primary school.

Class Formations for 2027

As mentioned in my last newsletter and in my Compass note, our dedicated teachers work collaboratively during Term 4 to form class groups for the following year. They’re well placed to understand which students work well together and which friendship dynamics should be taken into consideration.

Each student will complete a ‘Learning Buddies’ list, where they nominate five peers they work well with and would like to be in a class with in 2027. We guarantee that every student will be placed with at least one (if not more) of these nominated peers. Please chat with your child/ren over the coming weeks about who they might include on their list.

If you have a strong preference for your child to be separated from a particular peer in 2027, please contact me via Compass or by emailing the school at newport.lakes.ps@education.vic.gov.au by Tuesday 3rd November.

Note that historical requests do not get carried over as social dynamics change and too many ongoing requests means that grade formation gets far too difficult. Therefore, if you would like to continue with a separation you requested for this year, please email the school with that request. 

Please note that we cannot accept requests for specific teachers or preferred friendship pairings/groupings.

2027 Curriculum / Student-Free Days

We can now confirm the following student-free days for 2027. (Dates for Terms 2 and 3 are still to be confirmed; we will notify you as soon as they are finalised). Note that the new agreement, and increase in teacher professional practice days, may also mean there are additional days the school elects to have as student free. We will keep you informed as soon as things become clearer to us.

Term 1

• Wednesday, January 27th – Curriculum Day (First day back)
• Tuesday, March 9th – Curriculum Day (First Aid training)

Term 4

• Monday, November 1st – Curriculum Day (Report writing) 

Upcoming Dates – November 2026

A reminder that our final Curriculum Day for 2026 will be held next Monday 2nd November. This is a pupil-free day, with students either staying home or attending Out of School Hours Care (TeamKids). TeamKids will operate on Monday 2nd November - please contact them directly to arrange care at https://www.teamkids.com.au/ 

Please also note that Tuesday 3rd November is a public holiday (Melbourne Cup), and there will be no school or TeamKids care on that day.

Have a great fortnight, everyone.

Carly Bannon

Proud NLPS Principal

2027 Parent Contributions Arrangements

The 2027 Student Charges and parent contribution agreement letter was sent out on Compass earlier this week. This is sent out towards the end of each year to notify parents of the extra-curricular items and activities as well as the voluntary contributions for the upcoming school year.  

NLPS will post these extra curricular items and activities for the upcoming year in December on Compass and they will need to be paid in full by 29th January 2027.  Alternatively, for families who prefer a split payment option, you may choose to pay in two instalments:

• first instalment is due by 29 January 2027
• second instalment due by 30 April 2027.

Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any queries on 03 9391 8942 or email Kellie Holdich.