Happy Thursday Launchers,

What a wonderful week it has been at Launching Place! The sunshine, the laughter, and the roar of our community cheering together could only mean one thing — the 2025 Launch Cup! This event has quickly become one of the most loved days on our school calendar, and it’s not hard to see why. The colour, the chants, the creativity, and the teamwork on display were simply outstanding.

A huge thank you to every student, staff member, and family who helped bring their class horse to life — from crafting costumes to creating chants and cheering from the sidelines. It was a true celebration of Launching Place spirit.

I was so sorry to miss the Launch Cup this year. I was attending the Outer East Principal Forum alongside other school leaders from our region. It was a full day of learning, reflection, and planning for 2026 and beyond. The sessions covered important updates from the Department of Education, including a state-wide overview for government schools with Deputy Secretary David Howes, a deep dive into the Attitudes to School Survey and how we use student feedback to drive improvement, and a session on Networks in 2026, focused on collaboration, shared expertise, and using data to guide planning.

We also explored the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model (VTLM) 2.0, and finished the day learning about the Recovery and Resilience Model, which supports the wellbeing of students and school communities. These sessions are a valuable opportunity for principals to connect, share insights, and ensure our school continues to grow and thrive within the broader educational landscape.

Back here at Launching Place, a special mention must go to our School Captains, Bianca and Archie, who hosted the Launch Cup with confidence, humour, and energy well beyond their years. They kept the crowd smiling and the race moving, and their leadership is something we can all be proud of. Congratulations also to our class winners; and to every “horse” who trotted, galloped, or shuffled their way to the finish line! The Launch Cup isn’t just about who crosses the line first, it’s about celebrating participation, teamwork and community fun.

As we move into the final stretch of the term, classrooms are buzzing with learning, end-of-year projects, and important assessments. Teachers are currently completing a range of assessments to finalise reports and capture student growth, so consistent attendance during this time is really important. We know that the end of the year can get busy, but every day at school truly counts.

We’re thrilled to share that our average attendance rate has continued to improve over the past few years — from 87.7% in 2022, to 89.4% in 2023, 88.4% in 2024, and now sitting at 90.7% year-to-date in 2025! This is a fantastic achievement (outstanding in comparison to similar schools) and reflects the strong partnership between home and school. Let’s keep this positive trend going and finish the year strong, Launchers!

Thank you, as always, for your continued support. Whether it’s helping in classrooms, attending events, or encouraging your child’s learning at home, your involvement makes a genuine difference. Together, we create the vibrant and connected community that makes Launching Place such a special school.

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See you around our place,

Laura Caddy

Principal

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