There are a number of updates to share from the last school council meeting (27/10/21):

NPS Principal Selection Process

School Council is working on this process with the Department of Education and Training (DET). This very process will run through term 4, with a decision expected to be made prior to the end of the term, and the appointed principal in place for the new school year.

The five person selection panel (which includes two representatives from NPS School Council) has a very important choice to make, to select the right person to take over after Kerrie’s almost two decades at the helm. NPS School Council has also provided input to the process in the form of a Community Selection Criterion, which seeks to capture the specific requirements of our school, beyond the standard criteria for the role of principal.

2022 School Fete timing

Typically NPS holds our school fete in term 1 of the school year, with the obvious exception of 2021 for obvious reasons.

School Council made the decision at our most recent meeting to move the 2022 Fete out to later in the school year, likely term 4 but potentially term 3.

Given all the disruptions of 2021, this timing change will allow for a thorough planning and preparation process to occur through the 2022 school year. We will absolutely be seeking parents to support this process in 2022 and one person to act as Fete Convenor. If this sounds like you, please reach out to Michael Eva to discuss: michaeleva@gmail.com.

Fundraisers

Our Community Subcommittee have released a number of fundraisers for term 4 that we would love you to support:

Tea Towels: The P-6 students have been busy creating their new tea towel designs for 2021. Just like in previous years, there is a different design per cohort that you can purchase. Pictures of the 2021 tea towels will be available shortly but you can order them now. See the picture attached for examples of last year's tea towel designs. Get in quick as sales close on the 18th of November.

Along with the tea towels we also have our beautiful chalkboard cards for sale in packs of 4 and our I love NPS plastic picnic cups. These all make for perfect Christmas presents!

All orders will be available for pick up from the school in the last week of term.

Next School Council Meeting Date

Wednesday 1st December 2021

Sub-committee Information

Expressions of interest from parents for involvement in 2022 Fete & involvement in 2022 School Council.

Community Subcommittee are seeking expressions of interest from the school community to become involved in the Fete planning for 2022 – work needs to get started on this now. Please contact Convenor Michael Eva michaeleva@gmail.com if you are interested in becoming involved.

If you have an interest in becoming involved with School Council, the new SC terms starts in February 2022. I would encourage you to speak to any of the current SC members if you would like to understand more about the role.

Parent Raised Funds Update

Landscaping Projects Progress Update

School Council is excited to approve the process for the redevelopment of the grounds. The plans are for a number of landscaping projects to be completed at NPS, including a number of adventure play areas including a Senior Adventure Play and Rockery, upgrades to the Henry Street entrance area and bike storage; a number of smaller play areas to include shady imaginative, nature play and cosy nooks; Junior play and sand pit upgrade; and outdoor learning and gathering spaces. These areas are all elements of the Landscape Masterplan (prepared in 2019) and will be at a cost of approximately $460,000. A separate Landscape Masterplan will also be developed for the Aftercare site currently occupied by OSH Club. This has been made possible by the generous donations to the school through parent fundraising.

To proceed with this work, School Council is in active discussions with the Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA). We are currently working through the final steps with VSBA to allow works to begin as soon as possible. We expect the VSBA process to take 10-12 weeks.

I’d like to give a big shout out to the Environment Committee for their work on this, and in particular to Karren Surridge who has worked tirelessly to bring us to this point.

Pupil of the Week