Principal's Page

Great start to our Wednesday

Today marked a very special milestone – the first day of school for our Prep students! 

I was at Gate One this morning and was greeted by so many excited faces, eager to begin their time at school. After drop-off, I spent time visiting all the Prep classrooms, and I'm delighted to report that by 9:15 a.m., every single student in every class was settled, engaged, and happily interacting with their classmates and teachers – no exceptions! 

It was a brilliant start to the year, and I want to acknowledge the outstanding work of our Prep team who ran such a comprehensive transition program last year, as well as the wonderful job our families have done in preparing their children for this big step. We're so excited to have our newest Valkstone community members with us and look forward to a fabulous year ahead!

Welcome (and welcome back) to our newest staff members for 2026

As we begin the new year, we have a wonderful mix of staff joining our classrooms for 2026. This includes Katrina Kougioumtzis returning from leave, some familiar faces our students will recognise from their time as casual relief teachers, and new team members who are just getting to know our school community.

• Katrina Kougioumtzis (Thursday and Friday in 5G)​

• Lisa Pinter (Thursday and Friday in 2S)​

• Charlotte Gray (4G)​

• Jeff Orchard (Wednesday and Thursday in 4M)​

• Bec Pollard (Monday to Thursday in 4P)​

• Jane Coker (Friday in 4P)​

• Nicola Cuthbert (Monday and Tuesday in 5L, plus Thursday and Friday for in 6F for Term 1 only)​

• Eugene Chu (Monday and Tuesday in 6B)​

• Sam Dell'Aquila (Thursday and Friday - Y3 STEM & Junior PE)​

   

Dress Code Policy

As we settle back into the school routine, I've noticed during my yard duty on Gate 1 that some students may need a gentle reminder about our school uniform policy, including guidelines around make-up, jewellery and hair.

Jewellery and cosmetics:

• Students are not permitted to wear decorative jewellery to school. Small stud earrings and sleepers worn in the ears, and watches, are the only acceptable jewellery.

• Students are permitted to wear a small necklace if it represents their culture or religion. This must stay under their uniform shirt, so that it does not get snagged or damaged while playing, especially during PE classes and recess/lunch breaks.

• Cosmetics may not be worn at school. Only clear nail polish is permitted.

Hair:

• Shoulder length or longer hair must be tied back for safety and hygiene reasons.

Uniform:

• Students are only to wear school uniform items outlined on our supplier's website (Spartan School World).

• Hoodies are not part of the school uniform.

• The exception is our 2026 Year 6 students, who may wear their Year 6 hoodies once they arrive.

The 'Student Dress Code Policy' can be found on our school website, or directly at https://valkstoneps.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Student-Dress-Code-Policy-Feb-2026.pdf

Please help us by ensuring your child follows these guidelines each day. If you have any questions about the dress code, please don't hesitate to contact the office.

Valkstone Values

As we begin the new school year, it's the perfect time to refresh our understanding of Valkstone's four core values: Respect, Integrity, Inclusiveness, and Curiosity. These values guide the way we all behave and interact at our school, creating a positive and supportive environment for learning and growth. Students who demonstrate our core values in their daily actions earn house points, contributing to their house's success. When students go above and beyond expectations in showing these values, they may be awarded a special school bag tag—a recognition they can proudly display. We encourage families to discuss these values at home and celebrate the ways your children embody them each day at school.