Directions at ENPS from 2026

Dear ENPS Parents and Carers,

As communicated towards the end of last year, 2026 sees Essendon North Primary shift course. In our quest for continuous school improvement and high expectations for quality learning outcomes for students, over the past two years as a school we have undertaken an extensive review of our model and approach to learning and teaching; what we teach and how we teach it at ENPS. 

This internal review came at a time where we simultaneously navigated expansive curriculum revisions, and introduced mandates and guidelines from the Department of Education (DET).

Throughout the course of the two year review, we created opportunities to hear from students, staff, School Council and our community as to what they valued and believed in at ENPS. Without a doubt, it was evident that we are all very passionate about what we do and who we are as a school and community. At ENPS we are proud of our high expectations, global perspectives and focus on student learning alongside wellbeing, inclusion and international mindedness. Being brave, bold and connected is truly at the heart of everything we do; and we stand strong to that. That has and will not change. 

However, with the DET curriculum changes and enhancements over the past two years, as a school we have had to navigate our way through several complexities associated with our international accreditation and authorisations with the Council of International School (CIS) and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Program (PYP). Subsequently, we have also had to ask ourselves difficult questions and make significant decisions for our school moving forward.

The financial impact on the school to maintain our authorisation with the International Baccalaureate (IB) has been a significant factor. While we have valued our partnership with the IB incredibly and have seen the amazing impact of the CIS and IB PYP on us as a government school over the past 14 years, the associated costs, short and long term, cannot be overlooked as government schools continue to be impacted by current economic pressures within a declining fiscal landscape.

We have now communicated the difficult yet purposeful decision to the International Baccalaureate (IB) that we will no longer continue to offer the Primary Years Program (PYP) from 2026. While we will very much maintain our pedagogical approach and commitment to inquiry learning, we do so now without our IB PYP accreditation. We will maintain our membership with the CIS as a whole school improvement framework, however, we have now relinquished our IB World School authorisation.

We say with confidence that we will continue to deliver the highest levels of quality learning and teaching at ENPS, based on the fundamentals of the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model (VTLM 2.0) and Victorian Curriculum 2.0. Our staff have worked extensively to reshape and redefine our instructional models, units of inquiry and curriculum documentation to authentically reflect who we are as a school and community, whilst strengthening alignment with the updated DET requirements. While this means a lot for our staff and how we work, ultimately we do not anticipate a huge change for what students and families experience. 

Throughout this year we will continue to unpack and communicate this with you all; every step of the way. You may notice small changes in the look (removed IB logos) or the language we use, however, the feel and heart of who we are at ENPS will very much still be felt through all that we do. Already you have seen our Year Level Unit of Inquiry flyers have continued, and while we have replaced the Learner Profile (IB owned language) with our very own ENPS Learner attributes, very little in terms of our delivery has changed. The Executive Team, staff and School Council, are all incredibly committed to that.

As Principal, I see this time as an opportunity to be rejuvenated in leading our school from ‘good to great’. I continue to be passionate and inspired by what we do, who we are and how we approach education, providing the very highest quality learning and teaching at ENPS, whilst never losing sight of what it means to maximise our potential and to be exceptional global learners and leaders, exceeding expectations. I thank you for your ongoing support and encourage you to make time to talk further with me should you have any questions.

Kate Barletta

Principal