Message from the Principal 

Week 5&6 Term 2 2025

Dear CNPS Families,

Well, I think we can say the warm days are behind us. I do hope everyone has got out their jackets for the cooler and windy days that lie ahead. Recently I had the pleasure of giving a former student (1947- 49) a tour of CNPS. What was evident during this nostalgic look back into the history of Carlton North Primary School, was the fact that this alumni talked about happy memories, making friends, teachers who inspired, and how important CNPS was to the local community of Carlton North. As CNPS takes a big step forward as a modern education facility for the children of Carlton North, we can be confident that our school has always had a strong presence and will do so into the future.  

National Reconciliation Week 

National Reconciliation Week 2025 will be held from Tuesday 27 May to Tuesday 3 June. The theme this year, ‘Bridging now to next’, reflects ongoing connection (between past, present and future) and encourages us to move forward together, guided by past lessons to build a more united and respectful nation. The start and end of National Reconciliation Week recognises 2 significant milestones: the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision.

As part of our journey walking with First Nations people, CNPS students proudly explore the shared histories, cultures and achievements of First Nations people. Consistent with Child Safe Standard 1, fostering an environment that is culturally safe for First Nations students requires all schools to support the identity of students, be respectful of culture, and eliminate racism and abuse.

Classes across CNPS will actively engage in this important week of recognition. 

Learning 

Literacy 

Cath McLardy was back at CNPS this week working with all teaching teams. Teachers engaged in lesson observations and continue to develop knowledge of the science of reading, phonics plus and curriculum teaching sequences. After teams completed their observations, they engaged in targeted workshops specific to their year levels. The final part of the day saw all staff attend a literacy forum exploring cognitive load theory, orthography and implementation of the English curriculum 2.0. A big thank you to Erin Brown (Assistant Principal) for her leadership in supporting CNPS continue to evolve our approach to literacy education.

Assessment and Reporting

CNPS continues to improve the semester reports that are issued to families. This coming semester families will see a clearer format that has a general comment from classroom teachers, alongside a new way of outlining student learning outcomes and future learning goals. Families will note a change to the way schools (at the directive of the department) issue the mathematics progression point. Previously, students have received 3 progression points in mathematics. However, from Semester 1 2025, students will only be issued 1 progression point that aggregates all learning that has occurred in mathematics across the semester. Semester 1 reports will be issued to families on Friday 20 June 2025. The following week (Week 10 – Monday 23 – Friday 27 June 2025) parents/carers – teacher interviews will run across the week. Please look out for more information about booking your interview. 

Victorian Academy of Teaching and Learning - Evolve 

This term I have commenced my involvement in the ‘Evolve’ program through the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Learning. Evolve supports new principals to thrive as school leaders by building on strategic, people and technical capabilities, creating strong support networks and building behaviours that sustain health and wellbeing practices. I am looking forward to the learning journey that lies ahead and connecting with colleagues and mentors. 

2025 Student Voice

We value student voice at CNPS as a means to improving student engagement, wellbeing and quality of our teaching and learning experiences. The Attitudes to School Survey (AtoSS) is an annual student survey offered by the Department of Education to assist schools in gaining an understanding of students’ perceptions and experiences of school. Students in years 4, 5 and 6 will be asked about their thoughts and feelings in relation to their school, their learning, peer relationships, resilience, bullying, health and wellbeing, physical activity, and life in general.

IDAHOBIT 

On Saturday 17 May 2025 it was International Day Against LGBTQIA+ Discrimination. May 17 marks the date in 1990 that homosexuality was removed from the WHO classification of Diseases. Over three decades later, LGBTQIA+ communities sadly still face discrimination. As Principal of Carlton North Primary School, I am proud of the way our community includes all. Not only do we accept people for who they are, but we celebrate diversity and inclusion. An important point to note, not all schools fly the pride flag alongside our national flags. I do think this important symbol to the LGBTQIA+ community is a clear statement of belonging, acceptance and inclusion. 

Roof Maintenance

CNPS has been advised that Landbuild Pty Ltd have been appointed by the Victorian School Building Authority to complete the roof maintenance project. From Wednesday 14 May 2025, you would have seen Landbuild group (VSBA appointed contractor) moving on-site at CNPS to commence the much anticipated roof maintenance project.  The first part of the project will see mobile worksites moving around the karawun (main) building. This part of the project includes some roof replacement and cleaning of existing roof structures. The second aspect of the project will take place in the mid-year holidays. This will see full scaffolding set up around the marnerlong building. The set up of scaffolding will take place in the final week of Term 2. At all times student, staff and community safety is our priority. If you have any questions about the roof maintenance project, please contact the office. 

Modernisation and Building Upgrade Project 

You may have noticed in recent weeks that CNPS have commenced decanting the karawun building in readiness for the capital works project. This includes packing up the library, staffroom, offices, first aid and our archives room. The shipping container will be permanently moved off-site in the next few weeks. All fete resources that belong to CNPS will be stored internally on-site. We thank the community for their patience as the office is packed up and we transition to the temporary office location in the old 5/6K classroom. If you have any questions pertaining to the building projects, please contact the office.   

UPDATE CNPS Temporary Library Closure 

As of the end of Week 6 (this week), the library at CNPS will close for the remainder of the term. This will allow Kim and the team to pack up the library in-readiness to move into the temporary library that will be set up for Semester 2. We ask students who have borrowed books to begin returning these items to Kim in the library over the coming weeks. 

School – Home Partnership 

The hallmark of a strong school-home partnership is open and respectful dialogue, that embodies the school values.  Please feel free to reach out to Jane, Erin, Trish or I should you have any questions or queries. 

Warm Regards 

Matthew Ferguson

Principal