Hi Solway Community,

It’s hard to believe that we are already at the beginning of another school year. I hope that everyone enjoyed a safe and restful holiday break and had the opportunity to spend time with family and friends, doing the things that bring them joy. I would like to start by extending a very warm welcome to the many new families joining us at Solway Primary School in 2026.

My family and I were fortunate to spend some of the break in Hawai‘i, where we enjoyed plenty of time at the beach, slowing down and recharging together. Like many of you, it was a welcome chance to pause before the busyness of the school year begins again.

On behalf of the staff, I would like to thank our entire school community for the support, trust and partnership you show our school. Solway PS is a special place because of the people within it, and we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead this year.

We have had a very smooth start to the school year, with staff and students settling in well. During these first two weeks, our students are participating in our Learning Induction Program for Students (LIPS). This program plays an important role in setting our students up for a successful year by building strong connections between students and staff and developing a positive sense of community across the school. Through LIPS, teachers are explicitly teaching school wide expectations, learning routines and classroom procedures, all of which are grounded in our school values of Respect, Responsibility and Resilience. Time is also being spent supporting students to get to know one another, understand their learning environment and reflect on themselves as learners. By establishing these shared expectations and routines early, we ensure that classrooms are calm, predictable and focused on learning.

Staffing Update

For 2026, we have made a small number of changes to our organisational structure to best support teaching and learning across the school. Mrs Sarah Watkins has been appointed to the substantive Assistant Principal position. In this role, Mrs Watkins will lead Teaching and Learning and Disability Inclusion across the school. Mr Rob Tongue will continue in the Acting Learning Specialist role, where he will lead curriculum development and pedagogical practice, as well as continue to coordinate our sport program.

We are also pleased to welcome Miss Brigitte Peterson to Solway Primary School as our Physical Education teacher. Miss Peterson is a welcome addition to our community and will continue to build on our strong PE program, working closely with Mr Tongue. Ryoko Sensei will be taking some well-earned long service leave during Term 1. In her absence, Japanese will be taught by Mr Danny Catalano, and Miss Peterson will teach 1/2H on Wednesdays.

Finally, I would like to warmly welcome Ms Kate Anderson to the Solway Primary School staff. Ms Anderson will be teaching 5D on Thursdays.

Twilight Sports

A reminder that our Twilight Sports event for 2026 will be held on Thursday 12 February from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. We invite you to attend and join in the fun down on the oval. More information will be communicated throughout next week.

Uniform Reminder

As we settle into the warmer months, I’d like to take a moment to remind families of our summer uniform expectations. Wearing the correct uniform helps promote a sense of belonging, pride in our school and supports a positive learning environment for all students. Our summer uniform includes a red school polo shirt with the Solway logo and striped collar, black shorts or skort, white or black socks, and either the red school windcheater or bomber jacket. A black or red polar fleece vest may also be worn on cooler mornings. Please note that leggings and bike shorts are not part of the school uniform. A quick reminder around presentation as well. Long hair should be tied back for safety and hygiene, particularly during learning and play times. Students are not permitted to wear make-up, and jewellery is limited to small stud or sleeper earrings only. We appreciate your ongoing support in ensuring students come to school dressed in line with our uniform guidelines. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact the office.

On Time, Ready to Learn

A friendly reminder that our school day officially begins at 9:00am, with the first bell at 8:50am. This ten-minute window is an important part of the day, giving students time to settle into their classroom, unpack their belongings and ease into the morning routine alongside their peers. These moments matter. Arriving on time helps students feel calm, connected and ready to learn. It supports strong routines, builds a sense of belonging, and ensures students don’t miss vital instructions that set up the learning for the day. Even small amounts of missed time can add up over a term and contribute to learning loss. Teaching and learning begins promptly at 9:00am. Students who arrive after this time are required to sign in at the office via Compass before going to class. Late arrivals can be unsettling for students and interrupt learning for the rest of the class.

Hats

From 15 August to 30 April, and when UV reaches 3 and above, all students must wear a School (Red) sun protective hat that shades the face, neck and ears for all outdoor activities. Hats may also be worn for all outdoor activities outside of the August to April period, by parent or student choice. Baseball or peaked caps and sun visors are not considered a suitable alternative, as they do not protect the ears, cheeks or neck. Students who are not wearing appropriate protective clothing or hats will be asked to use available areas of shade when outdoors or a suitable area protected from the sun.

Thank you for your continued support and lets all strive to be “our best always”.

David Rosser

Solway Primary School Newsletter

Issue 29 · 29 Jan 2026

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