Principal's

Message

FATHERS & VIPS BREAKFAST

To Seon Bowden and her team of helpers, thank you for your organisation of a beautiful breakfast last Friday. The sun was shining for us and it was so lovely to see a great turn out. It’s events like this and volunteers like Seon that make this school community so special. 

WORKING BEE

On behalf of the community, I’d like to say a huge thank you for Michael Grech and his team for the outstanding work they did during the working bee last weekend. We now have a clean terrace, new safety tape, painted pots, improved garden beds, clean gutters, a clean bike shed, and the list goes on. . I am indebted to the wonderful community minded people in our school and am incredibly grateful! I hear the lunch afterwards may have merged into dinner. So glad you all had a great time!

**Unfortunately some of our plants have been stolen from our garden beds, recently. Please keep an eye out and alert the police if you observe this.

AIR CONDITIONING

After a lengthy procurement process, I’m pleased to announce that School Council have approved the contractor to install 18 split system units, predominantly in the Discovery Building. These works are planned to commence during the up-coming holiday period.

AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX

In recent months, our School Council President, Katrina Walker, and I have been actively advocating on behalf of our school against the proposed Amendment Bill, which aimed to extend the AGP lockout period from 7 to 21 days. During a meeting with the AGP, we were able to present the significant impacts that the AGP already causes throughout Term 1, as well as the additional financial and logistical challenges that the proposed extension would have created. We are pleased to announce that the Bill has been withdrawn, and the current arrangements will remain in place.

PARENT, CAREGIVER & GUARDIAN OPINION SURVEY

A reminder that our school is conducting the annual Parent/Caregiver/Guardian Opinion Survey offered by the Department of Education and is seeking your feedback. The survey is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of families’ perceptions of school climate, student behavior, and student engagement. The survey is optional, but we encourage and appreciate your participation.

Our school will use the survey results to assist in identifying areas for improvement and professional development needs in the school, to target school planning and improvement strategies. 

The Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey will be open online from Monday 18 August to Friday 19 September 2025. One parent/caregiver/guardian from each household is invited to participate in the survey. 

You can access the survey at: https://research.orima.com/parent     

Select school and campus name: South Melbourne Park Primary School

Enter the Pin: 971211

ON A FINAL NOTE...

Well, we’ve come to the end of another term—time really does fly. My youngest daughter, Gabby, is set to graduate from university in Wellington next term, and it feels like only yesterday that she left for New Zealand. As parents, we want the world for our children and try so hard to protect them from every fall. I know, however, that the challenges I couldn’t prevent have helped my daughter return more independent and resilient than when she left.

Just this evening, a mum and I were talking about our worries for our children and the missteps they might make along the way. Never underestimate the morals, values, and love that you instil in your kids every single day. No matter the path they choose, they will always care about what you think and take comfort in knowing you’ll be there to light their way.

Have a beautiful break. It’ll be great to have some sunshine on our backs!

Nicole