Mr Baker's Message
Hello families, and welcome to our fifth and final edition of the school newsletter for Term 1, 2026.
It has been another busy fortnight at school, with students participating in the Ballan Autumn Festival, NAPLAN, Teeth on Wheels, and our annual Maths Night. Thank you to our staff and families for their support in making these events such a success.
It is hard to believe that the first term is coming to an end! Thanks to everyone - parents, staff, students and our Ballan community - for making such a smooth and joyful start to the year.
This marks my final newsletter as Acting Principal before we welcome back Lachlan Carlyle as our substantive principal for the start of Term 2. I have greatly enjoyed leading the school and working alongside our staff, students, and families, and look forward to continuing in my role as Assistant Principal, leading the Curriculum portfolio next term.
Around the school
This past week, I spent time with some of our new Prep students, chatting about how their first year at Ballan PS is going so far. I also had a similar conversation with our Grade 6 school captains, hearing about their start to their final year of primary school. Here is what they had to say:
"I like playing with my friends, playing tag and playing with different friends every day." (Ted)
"Playing with my friends in class and in the yard." (Rhett)
"I've enjoyed school and I like playing with my friends." (Oscar)
"I like playing with my friends and playing on the pirate ship." (Maddison)
"I like doing Mr. Count in Maths and Heggerty. I like spending time with Miss Harney." (Stella)
"My favourite things about school is making new friends and finding different creatures in the garden." (Mackenzie)
"I enjoyed 5/6 camp, the activities and spending time with my mates." (Ryder)
"I have enjoyed the role of being school captain and running the whole school assemblies." (Georgie)
"I have improved at speaking in front of the whole school without being scared or frightened."
"I have improved at reminding students to do the little things the right way to support our school expectations and values in the yard and in the classroom." (Molly)
Rezoning
We have received confirmation that Ballan has been rezoned to Daylesford College. From 2027, Daylesford College will become the designated neighbourhood secondary school for students from Ballan. This change will support clearer pathways for our students as they transition from primary to secondary education. We will continue to share further information and updates with families as more details become available.
https://www.vic.gov.au/starting-school
NAPLAN
This year our Year 3 and Year 5 students have approached each NAPLAN assessment with a sense of calm, confidence, and genuine effort. While NAPLAN provides one useful gauge of achievement, it is only one part of the picture. At Ballan Primary School, we take a holistic view of every child’s learning journey, celebrating growth across academic learning, sporting pursuits, the arts, social development, emotional wellbeing—the list truly goes on. We are proud of our students in all the ways they learn, strive, and shine.
Have a lovely weekend everyone!
Mr James Baker
Acting Principal
Healthy Eating at BPS
