Principal Report

Principal’s Update

This past fortnight, we’ve been working hard to finalise our events for the rest of the term. Please take a moment to check the school calendar for updated dates, as a few have changed since it was last sent home.

A real highlight this week was our cooking session! Students had the chance to make Vietnamese-inspired dishes, and I was able to share photos and stories from my recent trip, giving them a little glimpse into Vietnamese culture and some of the amazing experiences I had while away.

I’d also like to extend a big thank you to Alison for the wonderful job she did in ensuring everything ran smoothly during my long service leave.

Staffing Update for 2026

As we move towards the end of the year, I’m pleased to announce that our staffing profile for 2026 has now been confirmed:

• Mr Cruse and Mrs Lawson – Prep/1/2
• Mrs Clarke – Year 3/4
• Miss Childs – Year 5/6

It’s with mixed emotions that I share the news that Miss Ferguson (Mrs Harrold) will not be returning to IPS in 2026, as she is moving to be with her husband in America. While we are extremely saddened to lose such a talented teacher, friend, and wonderful musician, we are so proud of her and excited for the next chapter in her life. I know our school community will join me in wishing Morgan and Pat all the best as they begin their new adventure together.

Morgan will be letting students know today that she will be finishing at the end of Term 4, and we’re sure there will be plenty of opportunities to celebrate her time with us before she leaves.

OSHC Program Update

In 2026, there will be an important change to our Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) program. School Council has made the decision, which I fully support, to transition our current program to a School Council-run model.

This means that bookings will be made directly with the school, rather than through In2Learning. We’re aiming to have the new system in place for Term 1, 2026. Families currently using OSHC will be contacted in the coming weeks with more details about the transition.

A School Council-run model offers several benefits for our school community, including:

• Greater flexibility to tailor the program to meet the needs of our students and families.
• Closer alignment between school values, expectations, and after-school care experiences.
• Direct communication with school staff, making it easier to manage bookings, payments, and any individual needs.
• The potential to reinvest funds directly back into the school.

Please note that In2Learning will still be running the holiday program for January 2026, however, this will depend on the number of enrolments. Keep an eye out for their Expression of Interest, as the program will only run if enough families sign up.

We would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank In2Learning for their partnership and the wonderful work they have done in establishing and running our Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) program over the past two years. Their commitment, professionalism, and genuine care for our students have played an important role in supporting many of our families.

As we move towards a School Council-run OSHC model in 2026, we greatly appreciate In2Learning’s ongoing support and guidance throughout this transition. Their willingness to assist during the handover will help ensure the process is smooth and that families continue to receive high-quality care and consistency.

We are extremely grateful for the positive relationship we’ve shared and the contribution In2Learning has made to our school community.

Little Learners Program

Our Little Learners Program begins on 10th  November, and we are so excited to welcome seven new Prep students who will be starting their learning journey at IPS next year.

During these sessions, our future Preps will:

• Experience what it’s like to be a Prep student at IPS.
• Learn about our daily school routines.
• Meet their teachers and make new friends.
• Spend time with their school buddies.

It’s such an exciting time for our new students and their families, and we are here to support you every step of the way.

Enrolments for 2026 are still open  if you know of a family considering joining our wonderful school community, please encourage them to get in touch with us soon.

Dates to Remember

• Monday 3 November : Curriculum Day (no school)
• Tuesday 4 November : Melbourne Cup Day Public Holiday Please note: there will be no OSHC on either of these days.
• Thursday 6th November : School Council Meeting at 6:00pm
• Thursday 31 October : World Teachers’ Day

To celebrate World Teachers’ Day, I’ll be taking the opportunity to acknowledge our amazing teachers for their dedication, passion, and commitment to providing our students with the best possible education and care. Their hard work truly makes a difference every day, and we’re so lucky to have such a wonderful team at IPS.