Principal's Message

Principal's Message

Welcome to the last week of 2024. We made it, team! I know I feel fatigued but very satisfied with our efforts as a school this year. We pride ourselves on always seeking to improve on our current performance - that is what makes us an excellent school. But striving for perfection can be its own punishment unless you stop to celebrate the work. 

I had cause to celebrate this week with the graduation of our first ever cohort who made it through from Prep to Year 6. We began our journey in 2018 with 129 Preps and ended that cohort with 41 of the 'originals' still remaining. Due to the transient nature of our community, this is a typical retention number. I am extremely proud of this group and the rest of their peers who represented their families and school so well over the years. I wish the students and their families all the very best in their life's endeavours and remind them all that SMPS will always welcome them back with open arms. I hope they look back at their time at the school with fondness and gratitude. I certainly see them that way. One of life's circles has closed with a new one opening up soon. 

For those students not in Grade 6 but finishing up and moving on, I wish you the best also. I hope your time with us was memorable and enriching. I thank you for your support and kindness.

For those returning in 2025, I can't tell you how optimistic and positive I am about the collection of staff we have chosen for the next part of your child's journey. I am super-excited about the prospect of an even better year next year than ever before. Like all of you, I am tired and need a break. But I am so energised by the students, staff and families of our great school. 

It has been a busy week. We had our step up day where students visited their new classes - meeting their 2025 teacher and peers. It was a great day. We also had our Graduation Ceremony and Christmas Concert. The vibe inside the gym with both events was joyous and kind - a beautiful way to celebrate our wonderful students who we love dearly. 

We finish off this week with our final assembly on Wednesday at approximately 2pm. Parents are welcome to attend and many have indicated this will be their child's last day. We finish at approximately 3:30pm, the normal time. For some students whose families have indicated they will stay on for Thursday's activities day, all events will finish at 3:30pm. There are no classes on Friday and OSHClub will operate all day for those needing child care - but please book in online. I will publish an iNewsletter on Saturday next week. School resumes on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at 9am for those returning.

We are a very high performing school, with metrics in the highest categories according to both NAPLAN outcomes and the Victorian Government's measures. We are proud of our record. We rank in the top 50 of schools in the state and in the top 100 in the nation according to reputable sources that we use as our reference. This is incredible considering our age (only 7 years old). I have many principal colleagues who marvel at our outcomes - again a testament to our community who have worked together to achieve. Over 200 educators, including State and Federal Ministers of Education both nationally and internationally, have visited our school in 2024 to look under the hood. We are doing many things right. But we are not perfect and never will be. But we will strive to improve each year. 

I will have my final message next week. In the meantime, I hope you have a lovely final week as we head into the home stretch. Be kind to those you love and to strangers who you pass by. It fills the soul with goodness to do so.