Principal Team Message

Hello BRPS Community,

What a month it has been to commence Term 4. After a brilliant year of learning and community building, we look forward to celebrating our many achievements and joining together to participate in exciting activities for students and the community over the final two months of the school year. 

World Teachers' Day Celebration

Happy World Teachers’ Day this week to all of our amazing teachers – a day to celebrate the care, dedication, expertise and effort that teachers demonstrate every day to support the learning and wellbeing of students in our school. 

BRPS students are lucky to have teachers who have a strong sense of collegiality and shared responsibility to support them in all that they do. Teaching is a challenging role and much more complex than it is sometimes believed to be, with that complexity and challenge seeming to grow each year. 

Every day in our school I see teachers who give their all and go above and beyond to ensure the success of our students, as well as provide opportunities well beyond their core responsibilities. 

Thank you teachers, we're very grateful to have you at our school. 

Thank You!

Thanks to the BRPS parent and carer community for their generosity in supplying an amazing morning tea and collection of pantry items in recognition of World Teachers' Day and appreciation of the important work that school staff do every day. School-home partnerships are so important and we appreciate the sentiment on days like today.

Judging by the goodies on the table it looks like there is more than enough fuel to help our teachers to continue to 'Shape' lives!

BRPS Moonlight Cinema

Moonlight Cinema finally happened again after 3.5 years! The weather could not have been better for a crowd of 400+ members of the BRPS community. It was a really relaxed and social night for our parents, as well as a great movie experience for everyone in attendance!

Luckily the oval sprinklers went off right under the food tent before most of the crowd arrived!

Huge thankyou to the CEET parents team for their organisation and help on the night, especially Adriana and Laura - the event would not have been a success without these wonderful volunteers. About $2,000 dollars was raised to contribute to school projects. 

The BRPS Big Celebration Day - Thursday 4th December 

This year, rather than individual celebration excursions and activities, all BRPS students and staff will join together for a whole-school celebration here at school. 

The Big Celebration Day at BRPS is all about coming together as a school to recognise the achievements and memories of the year. Students will enjoy a day filled with fun activities both in and out of the classroom, including a visit from a magician and a range of outdoor activities run by Proactivity. It’s a chance to reflect on a fantastic year and finish on a high note!

Community Christmas Celebration - Thursday 4th December 

Following on from the BRPS Big Celebration Day, on the afternoon of that very same day we will hold our annual Community Christmas Celebration and carols from 3.45pm.

Additional details about both events will be shared via Compass. 

Term 4 - Important Dates

The final day for students in 2025 will be Thursday 18th December (Friday 19th December is a student-free curriculum day).

Student Free Day - Mon 10th November

Please note that Monday 10th November is a student-free day (report writing). 

Monday 3rd November (day before Melbourne Cup) is a regular school day. 

November

Mon 3rd - Regular School Day

Tue 4th - Melbourne Cup Day Public Holiday

Fri 7th - Whole School Assembly 2.45pm

Mon 10th - Student Free Day (Report Writing)

Wed 12th - 2026 Foundation Transition 9.30am Perfect Patterns

Mon 17th - Thu 27th Year 5/6 Swimming

21st - Whole School Assembly 2.45pm

28th - Year 6 Bike Hike

28th - Glee Club Christmas Carols performance at the Black Rock Foreshore 5-7 pm

2026 Start Dates & Planning

Please refer to the Compass Calendar for 2026 dates which are beginning to fill. 

Several key dates for the commencement of the 2026 school year have been determined:

Tue 27 Jan:  Staff Return (Statewide Student Free Day)

Wed 28 Jan - All students F-6 Return

Wed 4, 11, 18, 25 Feb:  - Foundation days off

The dates of the four remaining student-free days for 2026 will be confirmed after the next School Council Meeting on Thursday 4th December. 

2026 Intensive Swimming Program Dates

To assist with forward planning, the 2026 Intensive Swimming Program dates are published by term and week below. Please see the Compass Calendar for the exact dates.

Foundation:  Term 4 - Week 2 & 3

Year 1/2:  Term 3 - Week 9 & 10

Year 3/4:  Term 2 - Week 2 & 3

Year 5/6:  Term 4 - Week 7 & 8

2026 Parent Payments 

Parent Contributions are the lifeblood of the school and we continue to rely on parent contributions to support delivery of additional programs and support beyond the standard curriculum offerings, as well as provision of devices and upgrades to facilities.

2026 Parent Payment Information for all year levels will be published via Compass next Thursday 6th November. 

Year 3 Camp

Good luck to our Year 3 campers heading down to our new camp – Golden Valleys at Flinders. 

For their first camp experience the Year 3 students will enjoy adventure activities to challenge them and help build confidence, resilience, independence and teamwork.   Thanks to the Year 3 teachers Sandy Bassoukos, Steph Thorpe and Tori Lancaster for the significant planning and preparation that goes into organising a safe and successful camp, as well as the other staff taking time out of their busy schedules and family life to support the experience - Hannah Kemp, Sarah Hogan, Linda Newell, Steve Muller and Rowan Doyle.  

I’m intending to visit on Thursday afternoon to join in the fun.   

2026 Class Planning

Please notify us at your earliest convenience if you know that your child will not be enrolled at BRPS next year.

Our projected enrolments help to determine effective allocation of resources and staffing requirements.

**Early confirmation of student numbers is essential to ensure this process is managed effectively.**

2025 School Council 

A summary report of our October meeting will be provided in the November Newsletter. 

The final School Council meeting for 2025 will be held on 

• Thu 4 Dec

Contact details for correspondence with School Council is via the school email address: black.rock.ps@education.vic.gov.au

Have a wonderful month ahead

Sam Tyndall

PRINCIPAL

Emily Harvey

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL