Principal's Message
From the Principal – Term 4 – Camps, Transition and End of Year Celebrations
Term 4 is a time of new experiences, creating memories and celebrating achievements. With school camps, our transition program and end-of-year celebrations ahead there is much to look forward to.
Next week is a particularly big and exciting week with every year level involved in a camp or excursion. It is wonderful to have a whole school focus on these experiences, each offering valuable opportunities for students to learn beyond the classroom, build independence and strengthening friendships. Our Grade 5/6 students will spend two nights at Sovereign Hill, immersing themselves in life on the Goldfields whilst our Grade 3/4 students are heading to Grampians Retreat for a range of outdoor activities. Our Grade 2 students will travel to Port Fairy for their first overnight camp, with our Grade 1 students joining them on Day 2 for some beach fun. Meanwhile, our Preps are preparing for their first bus trip as they attend Hamilton College’s matinee performance of Dare to Dream. It will be a busy week for students and staff alike, and we look forward to hearing all about the learning, adventures and memories made along the way.
A reminder that a camp recovery day has been built into our schedule following each camp. These days provide students and staff with an opportunity to catch up on sleep and recover after a busy few days away. They also allow us to recoup some of the time in lieu accrued by staff during camps, while minimising disruption to learning and additional costs to the school. We thank families for their understanding and support of this arrangement. If you need to contact your child while they are away on camp, please use the school mobile as a point of contact: 0427 280 762. Lastly, thank you to all the parents who volunteered to attend camp. We are grateful to have families who are keen to be involved in school activities and support these valuable experiences for our students. If you were not selected this year, please continue to put your name forward for future camps.
As Monday approaches, your child may experience a range of feelings about camp, from excitement and anticipation to worry or uncertainty. These feelings are completely normal. While your child may feel they are the only one feeling this way, please be assured that they will not be alone in their worries. Take the time to listen to and validate how your child is feeling. Reassure them that often, once they are on the bus and the adventure begins, those initial worries start to fade. Remind them that their teachers are there to support them at any time and that you are only a phone call away if needed. Most importantly help your child recognise that they can do hard things especially when they have people around them to offer support and encouragement. By encouraging them to give camp a go you are helping build the confidence, resilience and independence that will support them in future experiences.
Although still a few weeks away, I would like to put our Parent Teacher Interviews, scheduled for Thursday 29 October in Week 4 on families’ radar. These optional interviews provide an opportunity for parents and carers to touch base with their child’s teacher and strengthen the partnership between home and school. The focus is on establishing shared goals for how we can best support your child to finish the year positively and feel prepared for their transition into their new grade in 2027. Further information about booking interviews will be shared with families after camp week.