Leadership Report

This week’s newsletter is a shorter one, with a focus on the important changes coming in Term 2 due to upcoming building works across the school.

Fiesta On Tonight!

Firstly, the Fiesta will go ahead... sun, rain, hail or shine! You don’t hear people complaining about the weather at Golden Plains; if anything, it adds to the atmosphere, and we’re sure it will do the same tonight. That said, we’re still hoping the sun makes an appearance for a fantastic afternoon!

A massive effort once again by Luisa and the Spanish Sub Committee, we can’t thank you enough for the time, energy and passion you’ve put into making this event happen.

Term 2 Building Works (VSBA Project)

Over the holiday period, a VSBA-led project will begin at Newlands Primary School. This will include the removal of asbestos and either the removal or remediation of lead-affected areas across several of our older buildings.

The project is expected to take between 2–6 weeks to complete, which is why several changes will be in place at the start of Term 2.

The first stage will focus on:

C-Block (OSHC building)
A-Block (Foundation classrooms)

This will impact the following:

Specialist Programs Visual Arts and STEAM will temporarily run from student classrooms over the first four weeks of Term 2.
Foundation Classes Foundation students will be relocated to the four hexagonal buildings directly opposite the quadrangle.
5/6 Classes (Kaya & Flora) If C-Block is completed and accessible by the end of the holidays as expected, these classes will move into C-Block. If not, students will be distributed across the other 5/6 classes. While class sizes will increase, an additional teacher will be allocated to each space to support learning.
OSHC Program OSHC will be relocated to the gymnasium and the 1/2 Learning World. Further details will be communicated directly to families by Jill and the OSHC team.

At this stage, the building company expects C-Block to be accessible by the end of the holidays. We are sharing these possible scenarios to keep families informed, with confirmed details to be provided by the end of Week 1 of the holidays.

Additional Holiday Works

School Council has also approved further asphalt works in areas identified as unsafe. These include:

The quadrangle
Granitic sand paths
Pathways alongside the Foundation buildings

A big thank you to the PFA for their significant contribution for these works to be completed.

End of Term Reminders

Basketball Training: No training next week. Raul will visit players to organise jersey sizing, with a SENTRAL message to follow.
Before School Maths Club: Finished today. Information for next term will be shared in next week’s newsletter.

2027 Foundation Enrolments

We are now accepting early enrolments for students starting Foundation in 2027. With school tours beginning in Week 2 of Term 2 and a capped intake, we strongly encourage current families to submit enrolment forms as soon as possible.

School Photos are Monday!

School photos will take place this Monday, so please ensure your child arrives in full school uniform and on time. We look forward to capturing another great year at Newlands!

A Great Week at Newlands There have been many highlights this week, including:

Jess and our LCLs presenting at the Middle Leaders Network
The success of the 5/6 Supreme Incursion
A visit from our Network’s Education Instructional Leader, who provided valuable feedback on our work

We’re incredibly proud of the continued efforts across our school.

We look forward to seeing many of you tonight at the Fiesta!

Thanks,

Luke