Principal Report
Principal Report
Welcome back to the last term of the school year, and what a busy term we have planned. Beginning next week we have the P-2 swimming program at the Bayfit Leisure Centre pool, a number of incursions and excursions throughout the term, 2024 Foundation transition program, the Yr. 3/4 and Yr.5/ 6 Beach Safety & Resuscitation programs, Yr. 6 Graduation, and then we begin preparation for the end of year and the beginning of 2024.
So much to do and so little time!! Although in saying this, Term 4 will be an exceptionally long-term consisting of 12 weeks and 3 days.
Fortunately, the students will be having a 4 day break in early Novemberover the Melbourne Cup weekend, but it is still very likely that we will see many very tired children, parents and staff as we enter the final weeks of the term.
We will all need to care and look after each other to ensure we have a great end to our school year. The last day of Term 4 for this year will be Wednesday 20th December, finishing at 1.30pm.
It’s OK2BEME @ NLPS
Last Wednesday was our annual OK2BEME Day, an event we are so proud to put on and celebrate with all our students and school community. We are committed to acknowledging and celebrating all the diversity within our wonderful community. This year the focus for our students was on being body positive, with a range of activities for different year levels. All our staff took part in a workshop around cultural diversity, with a presentation by the wonderful Sherene Hassan, a teacher and director from the Islamic Museum of Australia. For parents, our focus was on supporting neurodivergent children and their families, and the school hosted a parent morning tea after a special presentation from Chrissie Davies.
SunSmart – Hats to be worn in Term 4
Newport Lakes Primary School is a SunSmart school and has a policy that an approved school hat must be worn by all children during Term 1 and Term 4.
Hats can be purchased online through the uniform supplier or at the school office at the cost for $15 for a bucket hat and $10 for the legionnaires style. Please ensure that your child’s name is clearly printed on the hat so it can be easily identified.
Although a hat would be good for keeping us dry on a day like today, the sun will eventually come out and it is important that we have this rule to keep our children safe, for now and their future.
A More Sustainable School
Over the term break, an additional 50.16 KW solar power system was installed at the school. It is expected that this new upgraded solar power system will generate a significant amount of energy that we use every day at school and significantly reduce the school’s environmental energy footprint.
The new solar system was co-ordinated and installed by school council at a cost of $58,500. This is a significant amount for the school but was partially subsidised by the generosity of the parents by means of the tax-deductible building fund donations. Not only is generating our own power the correct thing to do for our environment, with the ever-increasing power costs, it is also estimated the system should be pay for itself within a period of 5 years. A win for everyone.
2024 Class Selection
School leadership is presently investigating the possible grade structures for 2024. Consideration of the student numbers for the whole school, numbers in each grade level, teaching curriculum levels, ensuring that we are within the Education Department guidelines and that we have an even distribution of numbers of students in each class, will all be determining factors in the selection of the best option for next year’s grade structure.
At this stage, it is very likely that we will have 24 classes but the composition of the grades or the teachers of the grades has not been decided. After the school organisation has been finalised, students will be placed into their 2024 classes.
If any family is relocating, or if parents believe that their child may be transferring to another school in 2024, it is very important to make the school aware of this information. Notification can be made via email to the school office.
Parents are also able to inform the school if there is any information that they feel is important when considering the selection of next year’s class for their child. This is an opportunity for parents to inform the school of any information that would be beneficial or important in the selection of their child’s grade in 2024. Parents are requested not to select a teacher, as this will not be considered.
Parents must note that requests made last year or in previous years are not ‘carried over’ or considered for the 2024 grade selection. If parents believe that an issue should still be considered, it is important that a new request is written to the school.
This request must be written and addressed to the principal. Requests will be forwarded to the respective Team Leaders to assist the teachers when they are selecting the grades for the following year. Requests can be made up until Friday 27th October 2023. All will be given consideration, but no promises or guarantees can or will be made.
you can email your requests here
If you have any queries regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact either Carly Bannon or myself at the school.
Icy Pole Day - Friday 13th October
Icy pole treat days will return for term for starting tomorrow. Students are able to purchase an ice block for 50 cents at the start of lunch time. These days will then run fortnightly on a Friday.
Term 4 Public holidays and Pupil Free Days
Monday 6th November is a pupil-free day and school will not be conducted on this day. This is the Monday prior to the Melbourne Cup Holiday. Teachers will be writing end of year student reports on this day.
Childcare may be available for NLPS students on this day BUT only if there are sufficient bookings for this day. Please contact the OSHC provider, Quantin Binnah for further information and details on 9742 5040 or admin@qbcc.org.au.
Tuesday 7th November is a Victorian public holiday and school will not be conducted on this day.
Morning arrivals and School Ground Supervision
Parents are reminded that playground supervision (teacher on duty) is provided before school from 8.45am-9am and after school from 3.30pm to 3.45pm.
Students should aim to be at school between 8.45 and 8.55am. This allows them to see their friends, chat or play a short game, before school begins at 9.00am.
Students should not be in the school grounds before 8.45am as there is not a teacher on duty before this time to ensure the safe supervision of the children.
Time to Say Farewell
After more than a decade of leader of Newport Lakes Primary, I will be finishing up as the principal of the school at the end of this year.
It has been wonderful experience and I still thoroughly enjoy my job, but after 11 years I feel it is right time to finish up. I still have some outstanding long service leave which I will take in Term 1 2024 but I will complete my principal duties at NLPS at the end of this year.
It is expected that Carly Bannon will be the acting principal in Term 1, 2024 whilst a selection process is undertaken to appoint a substantive principal to begin Term 2, 2024.
At this stage, I am still uncertain of what I will do in next year and beyond. I may look at another principal position, I could consider employment outside of the education sector or I may just possibly retire. Whatever occurs, I know NLPS is in an excellent position to continue to be an outstanding and leading school for the students and families of Newport.
In the meantime, we have a lot to do and complete during a very busy end of year and prepare for a big 2024. I’m sure I will get to see most of our community throughout the term.
I hope you all have a great week
David Moss
Principal
Split Billing available for 2024 School Contributions
For the 2024 school year, Newport Lakes Primary School will again be offering the option of split billing. This means that if you and another parent/guardian wish to split the student charges and family contributions, you will each receive a separate invoice for the percentage nominated.
If you wish to split payment in this way, please fill out the attached forms and return them to the school by 20 October 2023. The process for fee split billing needs to be completed before the 2024 school fee accounts are generated in November, so we need this information ASAP.
If it is not possible for both parents to sign the same form, two separate forms may be submitted – one signed by each parent/guardian. However, both parents/guardians must consent to the split billing arrangement.
If you have any queries please don’t hesitate to contact me on 9391 8942 or email the school at newport.lakes.ps@education.vic.gov.au
Kind regards,
Kellie Holdich
Business Manager
Staff PD's
Last Wednesday, after school, teacher participated in professional learning with Sherene Hassan from the Islamic Museum of Australia. www.islamicmuseum.org.au
Teachers learnt about the Makassan Traders, early Muslim fisherman trading with the Aboriginal people of Arnhem Land dating back to the 18th Century, and viewed images of Makassan fishing boats in Aboriginal rock art.
We learnt about the Afghan cameleers in the 19th Century and the important contribution they made to building Australia from transporting good to building railways and communication networks. Teachers learnt about the legacy they left in Australian communities through their ancestors living today, place names and mosques.
Sherene shared information and personal stories about her religion, Islam, and spoke about the challenges and successes Australian Muslims face today in the 20th and 21st Century. Amazed and inspired by Sherene’s presentation, teachers asked questions and had enriching conversations.
We received some wonderful resources from Sherene that we will share with students, so they can also learn about the incredible history of Australian Muslims. We appreciate our Muslim students and value the rich culture they bring to our school and the community.
