Principal Report

Hello Parents and Carers,

Can you believe we’re already nearing the end of another fantastic term? As I mentioned in a previous newsletter, Term 3 is often a favourite among teachers. It’s a time when classroom learning really hits its stride, exciting whole-school events take place, and we begin to enjoy the welcome return of Spring sunshine.

Each day, it’s been wonderful to witness the engaging and meaningful learning happening across all year levels. I’ve loved visiting classrooms, seeing our students deeply involved in their tasks, and—perhaps best of all—watching how proud they are of their achievements.

Art Show

Like many of you, I took the opportunity to visit the Art Show one morning this week, and I was blown away by the colour, creativity, and variety of the work on display. Laura Russell, our talented Art Teacher, has done an outstanding job curating the exhibition in the large gym. This beloved biannual event is a special moment in our school calendar, offering every student the chance to showcase their artistic talents to the entire NLPS community.

A huge congratulations to all our budding artists, and heartfelt thanks to Laura and Ashlee Johnson (our Foundation Art Teacher) for making it such a beautiful and inspiring event.

The final opportunity to visit the Art Show is tomorrow morning—Friday 12th September from 8-9 am. If you haven’t yet had a chance, we warmly encourage you to come in early before school and see the incredible work on display.

Final Week of Term 3

Our final week of Term 3 is shaping up to be a big one!

Year 5/6 Market Day – Monday: Our senior students have been working hard preparing for this exciting event. It's a brilliant, hands-on way for them to explore financial literacy and entrepreneurship while raising money for a worthy cause—the Malala Foundation.
Footy Colours Day – Wednesday: Students are invited to dress in the colours of their favourite sporting team. Don’t forget to send along a gold coin donation—all proceeds will go towards supporting children’s cancer research and care.

Looking ahead to Term 4, we’re thrilled to be holding another whole-school event:

'I Believe in Us' Day – Wednesday 15th October: This special day is all about celebrating the uniqueness and diversity of our school community. It’s an opportunity to promote self-acceptance, inclusion, and positive self-image—values that are at the heart of everything we do at NLPS.

R U OK? Day – Thursday 11th September

This week marks R U OK? Day, an important reminder to check in with those around us—friends, family, and colleagues alike. Starting a simple, meaningful conversation can make a big difference. Let’s take this opportunity to show care, kindness, and empathy—not just today, but every day.

Together, we can help create a safe, supportive environment where everyone feels seen, valued, and heard.

Parent Opinion Survey – Now Open

A reminder that all families are invited to take part in the 2025 Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us understand your perceptions of school climate, student engagement, and wellbeing.

The survey is online and only takes around 20 minutes to complete. It will remain open until Friday 19th September, 2025.

To complete the survey:

Click the link (or copy and paste into your browser): https://research.orima.com/parent
Select: Newport Lakes Primary School
Enter the School PIN: 895479
Submit your responses at the end of the survey. Note: The survey will time out after 60 minutes of inactivity.

Thank you in advance for your time and insights.

Planning for 2026

As we move deeper into the year, the leadership team is busy with planning for 2026—including class structures and staffing. To assist with this process, we kindly ask that any families who will not be returning next year notify the school as soon as possible.

Please email the office at newport.lakes.ps@education.vic.gov.au to inform us.

Please note, this is not necessary for Year 6 students transitioning to secondary school.

Sun Protection Policy – 'No Hat, No Play'

As the weather warms up, please remember that students must wear a broad-brimmed hat for all outdoor activities during Term 4 and until the end of April.

Hats should:

Provide coverage for the face, neck, and ears.
Be in the style of a broad-brimmed, legionnaire, or bucket hat (Baseball caps and visors do not meet the sun protection requirements).

Students without a suitable hat will be required to remain in shaded or sun-safe areas during outdoor activities.

Need a new hat? They are available for purchase at the school office. Please remember to clearly label all items with your child’s name.

End-of-Term Reminder – Early Dismissal

Term 3 concludes next Friday 19th September, with an early dismissal at 2:15pm.

We’ll be holding a whole-school assembly on the oval at 1:45pm, and families are warmly invited to join us for this celebration. Students will be dismissed from their classrooms at 2:15pm..

If your child requires care after dismissal, please contact our out-of-school care provider, QB, via https://www.qbcc.org.au or call (03) 9742 5040 to make arrangements.

Wishing you and your family a wonderful September and a relaxing school holiday break. Thank you for your continued support and partnership throughout the term—it truly makes a difference.

Carly Bannon

Proud NLPS Principal