Some words from the Principal

Dear Karoo PS Community, 

As we move into the final weeks of 2025, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you for your continued support throughout the year. It has been a wonderful journey watching our students grow, learn, and achieve so much together.

Our students are eagerly looking forward to Step Up Day 2 on Tuesday, 9th December. This transition gives them the exciting opportunity to meet their 2026 teacher and future classmates and supports them to feel more prepared for the year ahead. 

Teacher Allocations for 2026 

Teacher allocations for the 2026 school year have now been finalised. Please find year level allocations below. Our staff are very excited about 2026 and looking forward to welcoming their students into their new classes on our Step Up Day 2, next Tuesday, as well as next year. 

I would also like to warmly welcome back to Karoo Primary School Mrs Naomi Simpson into Year 2 and Mrs Tanya Grimes into Year 3, and to also welcome a new staff member Ms Kim Seng, who will be joining the Year 4 team in 2026.

Foundation Team

FM: Clare McCandlish (PLC Leader)

FD: Tiana Dias

FT: Claire Tilley

Peta Phillips - Foundation Sub School Leader

Year 1

1D: Sarah Dobson (PLC Leader)

1M: Karla Markovic

1G: Alicia Gropel

Year 2

2W: Tim Wilson (PLC Leader)

2BE: Kathryn Bacalja/Amy Ellis

2S: Naomi Simpson

Amy Ellis - Year 1/2 Sub School Leader

Year 3

3M: Fiona Marker (PLC Leader)

3SG: Katie Smith/Tanya Grimes

Year 4

4D: Michelle Davies (PLC Leader)

4SH: Kim Seng/Robyn Harris

Academic Enhancement Educational Support: Poppy Goyne (This role involves supporting the year 4 in intervention and extension)

Robyn Harris - Year 3/4 Sub School Leader

Year 5

5E - Josh Edwards (PLC Leader)

5B - Tia Beagley

5T - Jacinta Travaglini

Year 6 

6W - Gemma Wild (PLC Leader)

6H - Alisa Hardware

6C - Jess Cole

Simone Vitas - Year 5/6 Sub School Leader

Specialist team:

Media & Technology - Adam Horne (PLC Leader)

Physical Education - Lauren Kavanaugh

Visual Arts & Performing Arts  - Karen Corrales & John Oldham

Mandarin - Wenxi Jiang

Science Yr 3-6 - Katie Smith

Hugh McLaughlin - Specialist Sub School Leader

Wellbeing Team

Wellbeing Learning Specialist: Robyn Harris

Mental Health & Wellbeing Leader: Kathryn Bacalja

Youth Worker: Tanya Caulfield

Wellbeing Consultant: Paula Pearce

School Council 2025

A heartfelt thank you to our School Council members and all the work they do behind the scenes to support the running of our school. Last week was our final meeting for the year and the council were able to celebrate all that we have achieved.  I'd specifically like to make a special mention of Serryn Bryant, our School Council President for her support and work to be a voice for our community.   It has been a pleasure to work with her and the whole School Council team this year.  

The current School Council will have their final meeting early in 2026, where we will thank all those members who will be completing their 2-year term on School Council.  If you are interested in being on Council, new positions will be advertised early in 2026, so keep an eye out for the information and nominations.

End of Year Christmas Raffle

Our traditional Christmas Raffle Stocking is beginning to fill up, and raffle tickets came home this week.  Thank you to those that have donated or already bought Raffle Tickets.  We will be drawing the raffle at the end of our Final Assembly on Wednesday 17th December, so there is still plenty of time to donate or buy tickets.  All money raised is going toward upgrading of our Basketball Courts! 

KPS 'Karnival' Community Feedback

Our 'Karnival' was a highlight for many of our school community this year! It was a wonderful day filled with fun, entertainment, food and community spirit.  We are looking for our community's feedback on the event, so that we can celebrate the success and to identify how we can improve for our next 'Karnival' in 2027.  Therefore, it would be greatly appreciated if you could complete the survey below.

Click Here for Survey: KPS 'Karnival' Community Feedback Survey

Upcoming Events:

• KPS Christmas Concert - Monday 8th December
• Leadership Assembly - Friday 12th December
• Community Helpers Morning Tea - Friday 12th December
• Final Assembly - Wednesday 17th December
• Final Day of School for 2025 - Friday 19th December (1:30pm finish)

Curriculum Days for 2026 - Lock these dates in your diary now!

1. Term 1: Friday 6th March
2. Term 2: Friday 5th June
3. Term 3: Friday 21st August
4. Term 4: Friday 20th November

I look forward to seeing everyone at our Christmas Concert on Monday the 8th December and around our wonderful school!

Warm Regards, 

Courtney Hoffmann

Principal