NAPLAN 2025

As you may be aware, the Australian Grand Prix is the first race of the season in 2025, running from 12-16th March. It also happens to fall on the NAPLAN testing period. In order to give our students the best conditions possible in which to sit NAPLAN, we will be administering the tests on the following dates, with the approval of the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA):

Wednesday, 12th March – Writing
Monday, 17th March – Reading
Tuesday, 18th March – Language Conventions
Wednesday, 19th March – Numeracy

Wednesday, 12th March is practice day for the AGP and we are not significantly affected by the noise. On Thursday, 13th March, all students will be offsite at excursions, with Friday, 14th March being a curriculum day (pupil free).

SAFETY

Our school council president, Katrina Walker, and I, met last week, with the Victorian Schools Building Authority, Parks Victoria and Department representatives, to continue the discussion around safety at SMPPS. Katrina and I were at pains to reiterate our significant safety concerns on the perimeter of our school, including the near misses on Albert Road Drive South (service road), the unsupervised crossing on Aughtie Drive and the hazardous section of Aughtie Drive near the back of the gymnasium. The relevant Ministers of Parliament are now also across these safety concerns. While progress is slow, I am hopeful that I can provide a more substantial update early in 2025, after our next meeting.

In the meantime, Parks Victoria will be attending a meeting with the AGP and myself next week, to discuss interim safety measures that can be put in place as the AGP infrastructure installation begins.

Thank you to those community members who are refraining from driving in the service road at the front of our school. A reminder that we have some members of our community holding disabled parking permits who have every right to enter the service road and park.

SRC

This year, we had many grade five students seeking a position on the SRC for 2025. It was an incredibly difficult decision to come up with a short list of 16 candidates. Last Friday, we had the privilege of listening to those 16 candidates make wonderful and persuasive speeches to the year 3-5 students and staff. Every child who filled out the leadership survey, or made a speech in front of their peers, should be extremely proud of their efforts. We are very fortunate to have so many incredible leaders amongst us, who continue to lead, with or without a badge.

I am pleased to announce the SRC for 2025:

WITHIN SCHOOL TRANSITION

A reminder that the ‘within school’ transition day is next Tuesday, December 10th. Both new and current staff will be onsite to meet their classes in 2025 learning spaces. We’re also excited about the new dividing walls being installed on the ground floor of the Discovery building over the summer, which will enhance the learning environment for both students and teachers.

BIKE HELMETS AND ELECTRIC SCOOTERS

I reminder that children need to wear a helmet when riding their bike to and from school. Please also note that you must be at least 16 years of age to ride an electric scooter in Victoria. Find out more at https://www.police.vic.gov.au/electric-powered-scooters-e-scooters.

GRADUATION AND PICNIC

I look forward to seeing many of you at the Grade Six Graduation assembly next Friday, 13th December. Don’t forget to pack your picnic and rug, ready for an end of year community celebration, straight after graduation. Thank you to the SMPPS and SMPS parent band who will be playing some tunes for us, to mark the end of another wonderful year at South Melbourne Park Primary School.

Nicole

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