Principal Report

Good afternoon parents and families,

If you have ever attended one of our outdoor assemblies at the end of a term, you may have seen me moving around the audience, often asking students to reflect on and share their highlights from the term just gone. As we finish Term 1, I expect to hear responses on Thursday such as a favourite excursion or incursion, a special class or cohort event (for example, last week’s Year 6 Parliament Day), a STEM lesson focused on digital literacy and safety, or learning about a topic of interest as part of their knowledge-building in the Literacy Block.

Personally, I have been very impressed by how well students have embraced the strong routines for learning and being together in their 2026 classrooms. This was clearly evident during our Term 1 Leadership Learning Walks over the past few weeks. I am also proud of the way our teachers have continued to refine their approaches to teaching and learning to better align with the Department’s Victorian Teaching and Learning Model 2.0. The positive impact on student engagement and participation is already evident. It has been a very productive term, and a well-earned rest is now ahead for both students and staff.

Hats Are Still Required – “No Hat, No Play”

As we move through late Term 1 and into early Term 2, a reminder that students must wear a broad-brimmed hat for all outdoor activities until the end of April, in line with Department requirements and our school’s Sun Protection Policy.

Hats should:

• Provide coverage for the face, neck, and ears
• Be a broad-brimmed, legionnaire, or bucket style

Please note that baseball caps and visors do not meet sun protection requirements.

Students without a suitable hat will be required to remain in the shaded area near the sandpit during recess and lunch.

Need a new hat? These are available for purchase at the school office. Please remember to clearly label all items with your child’s name.

An Update on Our Yard Upgrades

You may recall that we launched fundraising efforts for our new yard projects in Term 3 last year. Updated renderings are available below, and large-scale posters can also be viewed near the Compass kiosk in the office. Please note that final designs may vary slightly.

While the original plan was to complete these upgrades over the 2025–26 summer holidays, delays in securing a supplier meant the timeline was pushed to the Easter break. We can now confirm that, following final approval of a supplier and costs, construction will begin over the Term 3 holiday period. Some areas of the yard may remain out of bounds for a short time at the beginning of Term 4. As needed, we will adjust break schedules to minimise disruption, as we successfully did during the completion of the double-storey portables in Term 1, 2024.

The first space, between the Foundation Block and the basketball court (currently a designated quiet area), will remain a calm, exploratory space with new play features to support quieter activities.

The second space, between the Year 5 portables and the Gym/Music Room, will become an inviting outdoor classroom to support senior students and music learning.

These additions will provide valuable green, peaceful spaces for a range of ages and interests. While completion has been delayed, we are pleased that all current Foundation to Year 6 students will still have the opportunity to enjoy these improvements.

The total cost of these projects is approximately $130,000. We will continue fundraising throughout the year to help offset costs. Last year’s Twilight Fete raised approximately $24,000, and we look forward to your continued support at upcoming events, including our Colour Run in Term 4.

Upcoming School Review Process

As mentioned in recent newsletters, our School Review is approaching, and we appreciate the input already provided by our parent community.

A School Review is a Department of Education process conducted every four years, designed to support continuous improvement and accountability. It evaluates:

• Student achievement and growth
• Quality of teaching practices
• Leadership effectiveness
• School culture and wellbeing
• Strategic planning and improvement goals

The process begins with a self-evaluation, where the leadership team analyses data and progress against the current Strategic Plan. An external panel then reviews this evidence prior to the school visit.

During the review days, the panel meets with the leadership team and School Council President, conducts classroom observations, reviews documentation, and gathers feedback from staff, students, and parents. The process concludes with agreed priorities that will inform the 2026–2029 School Strategic Plan.

Prior to the review, the school must also complete a Minimum Standards and Child Safe Standards compliance assessment. I am pleased to report that NLPS met all requirements, with recognition given to our strong administrative processes, up-to-date policies, and commitment to inclusion and cultural diversity.

The confirmed review dates are:

• 5th May (half day)
• 26th May (full day)
• 2nd June (full day)

Our reviewer will be Helen Weston, supported by challenge partners David King (Principal of Altona Green Primary School) and Matthew Bott (Principal of Moonee Ponds Primary School and a current NLPS parent).

The School Council plays an important governance role throughout this process, including contributing to the self-evaluation, participating in discussions with the review panel, and endorsing the final Strategic Plan.

A Reminder: Photographing and Recording Students

As outlined in the school’s Photographing, Filming & Recording policy, we ask all members of our community to respect student privacy.

Parents, carers, and guests are requested not to photograph, film, or record school events beyond images of their own children. If other students are captured in photos or videos, these must not be shared publicly, including on social media, without prior consent from their parents or carers.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Early Finish This Thursday

A reminder that Term 1 concludes this Thursday 2nd April with a 2:15pm finish.

An outdoor assembly will be held at 1:30pm, after which students will be dismissed from their classrooms at 2:15pm. Students will return to school on Monday 20th April.

Please note: Crossing supervisors are unable to commence work before 2:30pm. Therefore, they are not allowed to support schools on the last day of each term. Please be aware of this and help to keep our community safe when crossing the roads on these days.  

TeamKids is available for care and will be starting early to accommodate the early finish. 

The School Holiday Program is also available should you required care during the break. 

https://www.teamkids.com.au/venues/newport-lakes-primary-oshc/

I hope you all enjoy a safe and relaxing Easter holiday break.

Carly Bannon

NLPS Principal