Principal Address

Dear Families,

Can you believe it? Another school year is upon us already. I pray that you enjoyed a restful and blessed holiday season, and that your children are feeling excited and ready for the year ahead.

We are very much looking forward to welcoming all our students and families back to HopePoint Christian School. There is a real sense of anticipation and joy as we prepare to begin what promises to be a wonderful year of learning, growth and community.

Please see our Facebook or instagram for a welcome-back video from our new school leaders. (Apologies that some of the audio cut off, and Mrs Davila graciously stepped in.) 

Our staff have been busily preparing this week with great care and enthusiasm. However, as always, nothing compares to the life, laughter and learning that fills our school once our students return. Our maintenance team have also been busy installing 5 demountable classrooms which as you can imagine is no easy feat. 

It is a true privilege to partner with you and to walk alongside your children in 2026.

Key reminders for the start of term:

Student commencement dates

• Years 1–6: Tuesday 27 January
• Kindergarten: Thursday 29 January

School hours

• School begins at 8:55am (supervision available from 8:20am)
• School finishes at 3:15pm
• After 3:30pm, OOSH rates apply

OOSH: If you require after-school care, please register using the link below. Our friends at Extend have a fantastic program planned for the year ahead.https://www.extend.com.au/school/hopepoint-christian-school/

Bus arrangements: Mrs Drayton has been in contact with families who submitted bus forms. Buses will operate from Tuesday morning.

Class placements: Students in double-stream classes will be informed of their teacher on the first day back. On Tuesday, please ensure students bring their bags to the gym for our first-day assembly before heading to their classrooms.

Please ensure your child arrives at school on time on Tuesday so the day begins smoothly for everyone.

BUILDING UPDATES

As you are aware, 2026 brings some exciting developments to our school property. We are moving forward with a 10-classroom, double-storey building project that will significantly enhance learning spaces for our students into the future. Please see some images of the proposed building. 

Before outlining the timeline, I want to clearly reassure our community of my commitments:

1. Student safety is paramount. Every decision throughout this process will prioritise the safety and wellbeing of our students.
2. Learning will continue. While there will be some changes to site access and movement, teaching and learning will continue without interruption.

I do want to be transparent in saying that the site will look different this year, and at times it will be more challenging operationally, particularly with parking and drop-off arrangements. Your patience, flexibility and partnership during this season will make a huge difference.

Where possible, I strongly encourage families to use the Kiss and Drop zone while it is operational. Parking in the Beale Street carpark will be very limited, and the Ashcroft Street circle is likely to be busier. Please be mindful of others in the carpark, and drive slowly. 

For Week 1, we will operate as normally as possible to allow students to settle well, knowing many families like to be onsite. From Week 2, building works will begin and changes to pick-up and drop-off procedures will be required. Please look out for detailed updates in next week’s newsletter.

Draft Building Timeline (subject to change):

• Term 1
  • Week 2: Archaeological dig begins
  • Week 7: Old K–1 block demolished
  • Week 9: New building works commence (including changes to Kiss and Drop)
• End of Term 3: Exterior completed
• Term 4: Interior works commence
• January 2027: New building opens, demountables removed 

This timeline is a guide, and I will continue to keep our community informed as the project progresses.

Afterschool clubs

Early in the week, an email form will be sent to sign up for our afterschool clubs. Dance will begin from Week 2 and Sport from Week 3! Thank you to those who filled in the EOI sent out last year.

Monday: K-2 Sports Program

Tuesday K-2 Dance Program

Wednesday 3-6 Sport Program

Thursday 3-6 Dance Program

We are very blessed this year to have Miss Georgia who is a specialist dance teacher from Ignition PA in Condell Park coming and leading our dance programs. 

Musical

Our musical cast enjoyed their first rehearsal during the holidays, and it was wonderful to see everything already coming together. A reminder that every student in the school has the opportunity to be involved.

Musical performances will be held on 30 April and 1 May. If you have time or gifts in set design or costume creation, we would love to hear from you. Please email r.britton@hpcs.nsw.edu.au.

Teacher Communication

On Tuesday or Thursday, you will receive correspondence from your child’s teacher regarding access to Toddle (our learning platform) and class-specific information. Please look out for this correspondence and I encourage you to read this information.

Sports Uniform days

Please note that this will change from WEEK 2 not WEEK 1

With the addition of another class, our sports timetable has been updated which will mean that Years 3-6 will need to wear their sport uniform on a Tuesday from now on :

• Years 3–6: Tuesday sport (from Week 2)
• K–2: Wednesday sport (unchanged)

In Week 1, all students will wear sports uniform on Wednesday. I will remind families again in next week’s newsletter.

Chapel

Chapel time will continue to be 9am on Friday in the auditorium. Parents are always welcome to attend. You will be notified if your child is receiving an award.

I am very much looking forward to seeing you and your family this week as we start a new year. 

Joe Britton

Principal