A Calm Start To The Year

Starting something new is always fun. It’s like reading the initial paragraph of a book, lifting a pencil over a blank piece of paper preparing to draw, or pulling out from the driveway on the way to a favourite holiday destination. Yesterday, I had the chance to speak with a number of classes about our roles in shaping the days and weeks ahead. It was an important opportunity to place each student in their story and locate them as authors in their own narrative.

In the visits to classrooms, students shared their dreams and hopes for 2026. Words such as ‘challenge’, ‘fun’, ‘friendships’ and even ‘humility’ were words used by students.

We are all looking forward to this new and refreshing start to the year and sharing in the defining of the year ahead.

Welcome To New Staff

We especially welcome some new staff this year. While many students and staff have had the opportunity to meet them during last year’s transition process, they will be new to many. I encourage you to take the opportunity to welcome them if you meet them in the yard or in our corridors. Karman Price will be teaching 1K, Josie Anzelmi will be with 2A, Holly Beazley in 34B and Amy Odongo in 56O. After a year away, we welcome back Lara Hunter in the role of Education Support Staff. We look forward to welcoming them all into our community over the coming weeks!

Big Blow of Kindness

A huge thank you to those who showed up for our big blow last weekend. A small band of enthusiastic blowers arrived fresh and clean but left exhausted and quite a bit dustier. Their support helped ensure that students, staff and families were welcomed to a tidy and well-presented school. Stay tuned to our next Working Bee in the coming weeks that will support the upkeep of our wonderful spaces.

Lots Has been Happening Over the Break

There were lots happening onsite regarding our facilities!

Just prior to Christmas, carpet was replaced in the Chandler Hall and Music Room. This has been part of a range of upgrades to the building that included painting and roof repairs. At the conclusion of 2025 we were informed that we had been successful in a grant to upgrade the Chandler Hall toilets! We look forward to further upgrades.

Finally, the northern end of the Admin Building has been restumped and levelled. This involved moving the storage under the art room to a container and removing a significant amount of soil from the sub floor space to provide improved ventilation. The floor in Room 1 was lifted to provide access and has been replaced with yellow tongue boards. We are awaiting the arrival of the carpet that is expected on 9 February. After this, the carpeting of Room 1 and the corridor can be completed. At this time, mechanical ventilation will also be added to the subfloor space. We are grateful for the flexibility of 1W for accommodating these changes that we had hoped would be finished by the start of term.

For those that are new to the school, in 2025 the Victorian Schools Building Authority began Accessible Schools works with the assessment, planning and building of a series of ramps. The works are overseen and funded by the VSBA and not the school. Ramps have been completed at the entry and the Davies Street side of the school. The front entry ramp will be eventually fitted with a ‘step off’ zone upon entry.

Unfortunately, while we attempted to persuade the VSBA to continue the ramp towards the Davies St entry, this was not part of the final plans. The step down off the ramp, towards the sand pit, was requested and included. It was suggested however, to make a secondary application for works that would include an extension to the lower gate after the completion of the current works.

The ramp works continue on the oval with the framing of the steps taking place this morning. This space is being prepared, ready for a concrete pour. The addition of timber railings will enable the use of the ramps before the metal rails arrive. While we cannot access the oval via the zebra crossing, students will cross at the Davies Street corner and enter via the double gates on the oval.

Parents may be aware that during excavations below the basketball court towards the end of Term 4, an amount of Asbestos Containing material was found. Work was immediately stopped and the site secured. Over the holidays we have received news of funding adjustments to the work that will enable the asbestos and affected soil to be removed. To ensure our community is kept safe, further notifications will inform parents when this removal takes place, in line with Departmental guidance. This has obviously pushed back the finalisation date of this set of ramps.

Finally, external cleaners were contracted to clean the light carpet in the joining space between the different ends of the lower building and the entries to the classrooms. It provides a much more welcoming space for all.

Meeting Your Child’s Teacher –

Parent–Teacher Meetings (Yr1 to Yr6)

On Wednesday, 11 February, we warmly invite parents and carers to participate in Parent–Teacher meetings entitled ‘Meet the Teacher’. These meetings provide a valuable opportunity to connect early in the school year and build strong partnerships between home and school.

Students are expected to attend school for the full day. As classroom teachers will be meeting with parents throughout the day, there will be some changes to student dismissal locations. These details will be communicated to families prior to the day to ensure a smooth process. While teachers have already begun getting to know their students, these meetings allow us to learn even more about each child.

Conversations may include a child’s strengths and challenges, how they are settling into 2026, any medical or personal considerations, outside interests, family expectations, and opportunities for parent involvement or volunteering in classrooms. More formal updates on student progress will be provided during the mid-year reporting cycle. However, should any concerns arise in the meantime, parents are encouraged to contact their child’s teacher to arrange a meeting.

Bookings for Meet the Teacher meetings are made online via Compass, making the process simple and efficient for families and staff. To book, please log in to Compass, select the Community icon (People), and choose Conferences. Instructions are available within the booking system. Families requiring an interpreter are asked to contact the school office before 10:00am on Monday, 3 February to arrange support.

Each meeting will be allocated ten minutes to allow for the exchange of key information. As it is not possible to extend meeting times on the day, families who feel additional discussion is needed are encouraged to arrange a follow-up appointment at a later date. Students who are part of the Disability Inclusion Program will be scheduled a Student Support Group Meeting.

To help make these meetings as productive as possible, a Parent - Teacher Meeting Survey is attached. Please ensure this form is completed and shared with your child’s teacher by Monday, 9 February. Online bookings will be open from 5:00pm today. Please continue to check Compass for the latest updates.

Preparations for Warmer Weather

We have already experienced some days of extreme heat in January. It is a reminder of the importance of being prepared for such days. Please ensure that your child routinely brings a wide brimmed school hat that is clearly labelled along with their drink bottle. Some families send a small bottle of sunscreen attached to their child's bag. Classroom teachers routinely encourage the students to utilise such sun protection. The application of lotion should always be the responsibility of the student as they are encouraged by school staff.

Preps (and many carers) First Day of Primary Education

Today we welcomed the incoming Prep students. It was great to see them enter with enthusiasm and energy as well as freshly pressed uniforms! Families were warmly greeted by the FORPS team in the hall who provided a welcoming space to decompress and breathe. The first day of formal education is a significant day for all involved. We are looking forward to the many days and years ahead.

Each student will receive a bag of wonderous goodies celebrating their arrival. This includes a range of story books, a free jigsaw puzzle, an inclusive education poster with a colouring activity and activities from AFL Schools and Cricket Victoria. There is an interactive toothbrushing chart from Oral Health Victoria and literacy and numeracy activities from VicHealth. The Prep Bags also contain resources help families access cost-of-living supports including free travel with the Youth myki and free health screening for Prep students. They also promote tips for creating healthy school lunchboxes and respectful behaviours in the school community.

2026 Assemblies

This term our school assemblies will be held just after 9:00am each Monday morning, we look forward to hosting our first assembly on Monday 2 February. These gatherings, although only brief, are a chance to begin the learning week celebrating student achievement and with the latest news and updates. Parents are most welcome to join us prior to leaving the site. As the Prep students settle into a routine they will not be in attendance at the initial assemblies. Stay tuned for their first assembly date that will be announced on Compass to parents.

Medications at School

A reminder to parents and carers that all medications, including tablets and lotions (not sunscreen), should be accompanied with a Medical Authority Form. This form and the medication should be presented to the office. This document is available from the office and is attached here for your convenience. If you have any questions at all, please speak with the office team or send through your query via email.

2026 Significant Dates

Please find attached the latest list of significant 2026 dates for your diary. It is always a nervous moment publishing such a document. While I cannot promise that such dates are ever set in concrete, the list of dates provides parents and carers with the opportunity to make plans to ensure that they can participate in the life and learning at Rosanna Primary School.

Student Leadership Ceremony

Friday 13 February

Over these initial days, students from Year 2 through to Year 6 will be invited to consider leadership roles in the area of Sustainability and as a Junior School Council Leader for the first semester. On Friday 13 February, these leaders and the 2026 Senior Student Leadership Team will be presented with their badges. Anthony Carbines, the State Member for Ivanhoe, will be present and present students with their badges. Parents again are invited to attend this special assembly.

Other Bits and Pieces

A range of forms, consent and information will be shared over the coming week. These include Local Excursions Consent, Privacy Information, and much more. I encourage all carers and parents to routinely check Compass for the latest. It is our primary source of communication, and all news posts are set with a notification. With the right permissions on mobile devices, it will alert you to information as it is published and keep you up to date.

If your details have changed over the break, please inform the office so amendments to your child’s enrolment can be made.

Crossing Safety

A reminder to all that Banyule Council provide supervision of the crossings on Davies Street and Grandview Grove. Our streets are often congested during the drop off and pick up times. Parents and students are encouraged to ensure that they are attending to the instructions of our supervisors and crossing at these crossing points. During this initial part of the year such routines are valuable lessons for all children attending the school.

Hang on for the adventures ahead!!

Students & Learning

Classroom Learning with 5/6D