Principal Report

Dear families, staff and students,

WE MADE IT! An eleven week term is always a ‘fun’ way to finish the year but we have made it to the end of a massive school year with a (slightly weary) smile on our faces and positivity in our hearts.

This year we have experienced a change of instruction methods and content - particularly in our Literary Blocks, a wonderful themed Art Show, an exciting Twilight Fete, a huge amount of enthralling incursions and excursions and adventure filled camps. We have celebrated various student achievements and the things that make us all unique and special, had students perform for each other (for assemblies and Dance Battles) and our community, and have grown our brains through targeted, engaging daily teaching and learning. Phew - what a lot of things to celebrate! It’s no wonder we are ready for a relaxing summer holiday break.

Thank you all for giving so much to make this year a great one for NLPS. I hope you all have the fun, safe, and refreshing break you deserve. 

Thank You to our Student Leaders

At NLPS, we are very proud of the way our students develop into leaders as they move through the school, consistently demonstrating our school values for younger students and peers to follow. This year’s school leadership group was no exception and I’d like to say thank you for their efforts this year and wish them well as they move to their next chapter in their schooling (or into Year 6 for the RR / Values Captains!).

School Captains

Nina Elkins, Oliver Rees, Max Boyd, Georgia Walsh

House Captains

Eve Williams, Zayn El-Hawli, Zara Champagne-Udovicic, Liam Tan, Yasmin Crockford, Marwa Orchido, Phoebe Almering, Ruby Johnson

Arts Captains

Archie Headlam, Amelia Muni, Sophie Umbach

Band Captains

Lily Azzopardi, Ellie Said, Arya Bommarito-Hull

Respectful Relationships / Values Captains

 Addison Marshall, Harry Darmanin, Pip Morlang, April Maggs, Blake Julier, Anhad Takkar 

Well done to all of the students listed above, as well as our large group of graduating Year 6 students - I am sure you will all make a positive impact in your next schools.

School Organisation 2026

Although our classroom teaching staff is staying relatively stable, there will still be some movements across year levels. Our PLTs (Professional Learning Teams) will be as follows:

Note that all students have already met their 2026 teacher and peers for an hour on Wednesday 17th December, and emails were sent to families yesterday informing you as well.

Semester 2 Reports

A reminder that this semester’s reports became available to families via Compass on Monday afternoon. We encourage parents to log on and read your child’s report with them whilst it remains current and relevant.

Apart from a review of their recent progress, there are also recommendations for ‘Where to Next?’ that parents can discuss with their child and possibly assist in achieving these goals. Each child’s report will always remain available on Compass whilst they are attending NLPS.

Families of Year 6 students, or students not returning to NLPS in 2026, are again reminded to download all of your child's reports on Compass for your own records as you will no longer have access to them after today. 

A New Year of Learning - DE resource

The Department of Education has put together a website to assist parents and carers to prepare for the new school year. 

It can be accessed here - A new year of learning | vic.gov.au.

During the school holidays, please consider reading through the resources, which include:

• tips to help transition between Kinder and Foundation, and primary to secondary school;
• what to expect at school;
• help with school costs and fees;
• and health and wellbeing guidance to support children’s mental health.

Vacation Care Holiday Program

The school’s new Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) provider, TeamKids, will be conducting a Vacation Care program beginning Tuesday, 6th January 2026.

This service is available to all Newport Lakes PS students enrolled including the 2026 Foundation students. If you require further information or would like to book your child a place, please see details further along this newsletter and those that have been sent via Compass.

Farewell for Now

As this year draws to a close, we farewell for now three valued members of our staff who will be taking leave without pay next year - Tracey James (as mentioned in my last newsletter), Alanna Maguire, and Laura Russell. We thank them sincerely for the care, commitment, and high expectations they have always brought to challenging learners to be their best and their most creative.

As they step into a new chapter, filled with fresh experiences and new learning, we wish them every success and happiness. While we will miss their presence, we are excited for the opportunities ahead of them and hope this is not goodbye, but simply see you later. Our doors (and our community) will always be open should their journey lead them back to us one day.

Goodbye and Good Luck

After 16 years of dedicated service to our school community, we farewell Tarsh Nicholson as she embarks on an exciting new chapter in her career, as an Assistant Principal at Flemington Primary School. While we are incredibly proud of this next step, her departure will be deeply felt across our community.

Tarsh leaves behind a lasting legacy, particularly in the area of mathematics. Her passion for teaching and learning, high expectations, and commitment to building confident mathematicians have shaped programs, practices, and outcomes that will continue to benefit students for years to come. Beyond the classroom, Tarsh’s influence has extended to colleagues and families alike, through her willingness to share expertise, mentor others, and build strong, trusting relationships.

Over many years, Tarsh has made a significant and meaningful impact on students, staff, and parents. She has been a steady presence, a source of guidance, and a champion for quality teaching and learning. Our school is stronger because of Tarsh’s contributions. While we will miss her enormously, we know this new challenge will bring fresh learning, growth and opportunity. We wish Tarsh every success as she steps into her new leadership role and thank her sincerely for everything she has given to our school. 

Once part of our community, always part of our story.

End of Year Assembly & Dismissal

A reminder that we have our final whole assembly for the year from 12:45pm today, Friday 19th December. After the general announcements, the Year 6 children will then be farewelled through the traditional Newport Lakes ‘Avenue of Honour’ formed by all the teachers and students in the school. Parents and friends are invited to this special farewell assembly. 

Students will then return to their classrooms and be dismissed directly from there at 1:30pm. 

I hope all our wonderful school community get a well deserved break and enjoy your holiday time together.

A reminder that school starts for Years 1-6 on Wednesday 28th January and the following Thursday 5th February for our new Foundation students. 

Stay safe and smiling until then!

Carly Bannon 

Proud NLPS Principal