Principals' Message

Principal for a Day

Last Friday we were very lucky to have Principal Pia and her Assistant Principal Miss Isla working with us in the office as Principals for a Day! This special experience was made possible after Pia's parents successfully bid for the Principal for a Day prize at our school Trivia Night.

Pia's first decision was that all students could wear Free Dress to school, a decision that was excitedly taken up by the students of DPS. 

Our principals started the day by visiting each classroom to say good morning to the students and teachers. Throughout the day, they handed out stickers to students who were working hard and showing our school values.

Principal Pia and Miss Isla met with the School Captains to organise the assembly order, enjoyed a special Grill’d lunch and selected the music playlist for our lunchtime dance party. 

It was wonderful having some extra pairs of hands in the office and giving our student principals a behind-the-scenes look at what happens in a school office and in the life of a principal.

Pia: My favourite part of the day was Isla and me dancing together. We had a mini dance party at lunch play. The song I liked the most was Zoo by Shakira. 

Isla: My favourite part was eating lunch. We had Grill'd - tenders, chips and a milkshake. The milkshake was the best part. 

Class Placement 2027

During Term 4, our teachers begin the careful process of creating class lists for the following year. This process is highly thoughtful and collaborative, involving input from teachers, leadership, students and parents.

Each student will be asked to nominate five preferred learning partners, with teacher recommendations highly taken into account. When developing class groups, teachers consider a range of important factors, including:

• A balance of students across the curriculum achievement spectrum.
• Social and emotional needs of each student.
• Existing friendships and peer relationships.
• Ensuring all students are valued, supported, and able to participate and succeed.
• Maintaining gender balance in each class.

• Any other relevant individual needs.

   

While friendships are considered, they are just one part of the overall process. We aim for every student to be placed with at least one positive peer connection while also encouraging the development of new friendships and social skills.

📣 If your child will not be attending Donvale PS in 2027, please let us know as soon as possible, as this information helps us plan accurately for next year.

Parent Requests for 2027 Class Placements

As we begin planning for the 2027 school year, families are invited to submit a Parent Request Form by Friday, 13 November. 

👉 https://forms.gle/vTjD9a43rSkwUEjv8 

Please note:

• Requests for specific teachers cannot be considered.
• Requests from previous years are not carried over. If something remains relevant, please submit this information into this new form.

• Changes cannot be made once classes have been finalised.

   

Students will be informed of their 2027 classes towards the end of Term 4. In the weeks prior to this, students will be involved in our intra-school transition program.

Thank you for your understanding and support as we work to create the best possible learning environment for all students.

Hats!

A gentle reminder that ALL students need to wear their school hat this term. As we are a SunSmart school, we take very seriously the need to be sun smart. This includes:

• wearing the approved broad-brimmed Donvale school hat outside
• encouraging students to come to school wearing a broad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen (30+) and to reapply it during the day.

If students do not wear or have a hat, they will be restricted to play in the designated shade areas.

Please ensure your child's hat is named clearly so it is easier for them to be found when they are misplaced.

Calling out for donations

We are looking to create a space for quiet, passive and imaginative play in our fenced-off area behind the GP Room.

If you have any resources which you are looking to offload, they may find a happy new home in this play space.

We are looking for anything related to mud kitchens, cubbies, fairy gardens, diggers/trucks and any stainless steel cookware such as tins, pots, pans or cutlery.

If you have any items you wish to offer, please get in contact with the office and have a photo of what you can provide.

Thank you in advance!

Working Bee

We will be holding two Working Bees in the coming weeks to tidy and spruce up some areas of the school. Many parents have shared they would prefer to do a Friday afternoon while others preferred a weekend option - so we will offer both!

If you can attend on Friday, November 20 from 3.30pm-5.30pm and/or Sunday, November 22 from 10.00am-12.00pm it would be greatly appreciated. 

We will be looking at sanding and painting some areas and tidying up some of our gardens. So, if you are handy with a gardening tool or a paint brush, please meet us near the Gaga Pit at those times.

World Teachers’ Day – Friday, 30 October

Today we celebrated and acknowledged our wonderful teaching staff and the care, passion and commitment they bring to their work each day.

Our students are fortunate to have such a dedicated, creative and supportive team guiding them on their learning journey.

A big thank you also to our families who took the time to submit messages of appreciation for our teachers. Your kind words are a lovely way to recognise the difference they make.

We hope all our teachers have a wonderful World Teachers’ Day!

October attendance update

Congratulations, once again, to 2A who recorded an unprecedented attendance rate of 99.19% for the month of October. All of the students in Miss Lim's class should feel so proud of their efforts to be at school everyday, ready and on time!