From the Principal
October, 15 2026
Park Orchards Primary School
Welcoming Our 2027 Foundation Students
We’re excited to welcome our 2027 Foundation children and families to POPS. Our transition program is underway, with last Friday’s Pathway to POPS session led by Mrs Bullen, Mrs Southgate and Ms Elissa. Children enjoyed early literacy and numeracy activities, playtime together and a visit to the library. The program continues for the next six weeks.
We also held our first Parent Information Session on Tuesday evening, to support families as they prepare for the year ahead. Thank you to Mrs Bullen, Ms McRae, Mrs Ingle and Mrs Henderson for facilitating. The second session will be held in the school library on Wednesday 26 November.
We warmly welcome all new students and families joining the POPS community.
Storytime
On Monday, we enjoyed a lovely Storytime session facilitated by our Year 6 library team, Jacob B, April, Bette, Chelsea, Jacob S, Zachariah and Eassa. Children from the Community House and current POPS families listened to a story about bubbles and then made their own. Our final Storytime for the year will be held on Monday, November 30, 9am in the library with the theme Celebrations. Families with preschool children are warmly encouraged to come along and join the fun.
China Trip
As families read this newsletter, we will be on the plane, beginning our Sister School tour to Jinling Primary School in Nanjing. During the trip we will visit the Great Wall of China, the Terracotta Warriors, participate in classes with students at Jinling PS, and travel across China on high-speed trains.
We wish Jamie, Etta, Liam C, Harvey, Nadia, Georgia, Angela, Zachariah, Grace, Zahra and Lawrence all the very best as they undertake this big adventure overseas with Limei, Ms Owen and myself.
While I am in China, Mrs Bullen will be Acting Principal, supported by Mrs Quah as Acting Assistant Principal. We look forward to sharing the wonderful experiences and cross‑cultural connections our students develop while we are away.
Production
Students are busily preparing with Ms Sarah and their class teachers for our upcoming production, ‘Rock Through the Ages - An Angus Young Story’, on Wednesday 11 November at the George Wood Theatre, Yarra Valley.
Ticket information will be shared via Compass shortly, so please keep an eye out. A huge amount of work is happening behind the scenes with props, singing, acting, dancing and costume organisation, and the show is shaping up to be a fabulous night.
Voluntary Parent Contributions
Parent contributions, donations and fundraising help fund technology, classroom resources, library and STEM materials, sporting equipment, learning space upgrades and maintenance of our older buildings. We rely on this support to provide high‑quality learning environments. For 2027, the voluntary parent contribution is $350 per student, with $100 suggested for the Building and Library Funds (total $450). A Compass post with 2027 payment details and information about stationery ordering through Officeworks will be shared soon.
Student Achievements
Congratulations to the POPS Athletics team for their achievements at the recent District competition. The following students will progress to the Division competition, Milla C, Chloe C, Summer M, Zahli C, Zach C, Poshiya S and Danny M. Well done to all involved.
Congratulations to Zahli C, who took part in the Melbourne Marathon events on Sunday. Zahli completed the Nike 10km run without stopping and finished in an impressive 49 minutes, a fantastic achievement.
New look website
We’re excited to launch our refreshed POPS website, featuring a cleaner design and simpler navigation. Content and images are currently being updated, and we’re pleased with the new look and feel. A big thank you to Dan at Class Focus for his work in bringing the site to life.
Planning for 2027
As we begin planning for 2027 classes and staffing, families who know they will be leaving POPS are asked to notify the school in writing.
If you wish to share information about your child’s learning, social or emotional needs for next year, please email bronwyn.garrity@education.vic.gov.au and cornelia.bullen@education.vic.gov.au.
Bronwyn Garrity
Principal
Visit the Assistant Principal page to read about Every Day Counts at Park Orchards Primary School.
Visit the From the Classroom page to discover some of the wonderful activities and learning experiences our Foundation students enjoyed throughout Term 3!
KEY DATES
Term 4, Week 3 2026
China Trip Oct 15- 27
Mon Oct 19- Assembly| 9am
Fri Oct 23- Pathways