Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope this newsletter finds you well after yesterday’s frantic weather. During days like yesterday, we carefully monitor the weather conditions throughout the day to make decisions about whether it is safe to send children outside to play or not. Children whose asthma plans indicate they need to be inside on high pollen days are directed to the library, or gym if there is an activity happening in there. If your child starts to experience asthma for the first time it is important that you work with our first aid officers to ensure we put plans on place to manage their asthma whilst at school.

3-6 Swimming:

Swimming for years 3-6 begin on Monday 27th October. Classes will be in the pool at the following times:

34A, 34B, 34F & 56A: 12.15PM – 1.00PM
34E, 56B & 56D: 1.00PM – 1.45PM
34C, 34D, 56C & 56E: 1.45PM – 2.30PM

School Vision and Values Survey:

We are seeking input from all members of the school community to help create a new vision for the new Strategic Plan, along with the Values we will keep front of mind as we work together to achieve positive outcomes for all. Please take the time to complete the short survey by clicking on the link by TOMORROW Friday 24th October. https://forms.gle/3Kmwt5fCaJ5c4imVA

Curriculum Day:

Monday 3rd November is a scheduled curriculum day. Staff will be onsite, working together to strengthen our routines and procedures to promote positive and calm learning environments, as well as establishing clarity around our wellbeing practices. Teachers will spend ½ day starting to write the end of year student report and ES staff will be discussing plans for 2026. There is NO school on Monday 3rd November or Tuesday 4th (Melbourne Cup Public Holiday).

Speaking to Other Children:

We occasionally have situations where parents or carers of a child feel it necessary to intervene with an incident involving a different child. It may be because they see inappropriate behaviour they feel needs addressing or that the child may have had an incident with their own child that they feel needs to be followed up. It is important to let the school deal with these situations as it can be quite frightening for children to have unknown adults talk to them or reprimand them. If you have witnessed a situation in the yard that concerns you, please speak to a member of the Principal Class team about your concerns. Due to privacy reasons, we can not go into much detail, however ensuring you know we are aware and are dealing with the situation hopefully will help alleviate any concerns you may have. There can be numerous factors impacting a child’s behaviour and observing a small part of a situation does not usually adequately depict how we may be managing the situation. We appreciate your understanding and trust that we are doing all we can to support the child and others who may be impacted, including utilising external supports as and when required.

Supervision at Park:

As you may be aware, there is a park on the corner of Coburns Road and West Melton Drive, where a number of students wait for their parents afterschool. Please be aware that the school is not able to provide teacher supervision in this area. I therefore suggest that you consider an alternative location at which your child waits to be picked up. Can I also remind you that we have an After School care facility run by Extend that is safe and well supervised and children can attend at a minimal cost? Please contact the school if you would like further information about Extend. Enrolment Packs are available at the office.

We have staff on yard duty, within the school grounds, before school from 8.30 am when gates are opened and afterschool until 3.20 pm. Please ensure your child is collected promptly at 3.05 pm when they are released from their classroom, as it can be very stressful for a child to be the only one left in the playground when all other children have gone home.

I would like to remind parents that it is your responsibility to:

ensure that your child arrives to school safely and are in the care of school staff at the beginning of the school day, and
ensure that your child is collected from the school premises at the end of the school day, or that alternative arrangements have been made for your children

Prep Enrolments for 2026:

If you have a child in preschool, or one who is turning 5 before 30th April 2026, we are accepting enrolments for Prep 2026. Please call the office for details and to book an appointment with a member of the Principal Class team. If you have family or friends with children who should start school next year, please encourage them to contact the school for a Prep Enrolment Pack and a tour. The 2026 Prep Transition Program will commence in November. If they are enrolled by then they will be invited to be part of this wonderful experience.

Prep Transition Program:

The 2026 Prep Transition Program will commence next month. All families with children enrolled to start Prep in 2026 should have already received an invitation about this important activity. The dates are:

Tuesday 11th November 10:00am – 10:50am
Tuesday 18th November 10:00am – 10:50am
Tuesday 25th November 10:00am – 10:50am
Tuesday 9th December 9:30am – 10:45am. (Children will meet their teacher for 2026 on this day)

Whilst these sessions are occurring for the children, parents are encouraged to stay on-site and hear about the wonderful programs our school has to offer, as well as how to help prepare your child for their first year of school. These sessions will also have guest speakers such as the School Nursing Service, our Out of School Hours Care service and much more. We look forward to meeting you and your child during these sessions.

2026 Plans:

We will be beginning the process of forming new class grouping for 2026 during Term 4. To determine how many classes we will need, if you know your child will not be returning in 2026 for any reason so we can plan accordingly, please contact the office to let us know. This is also important because your child might be the allocated person/friend for another child in their 2026 class and if they are not attending, their friend may find themselves without a buddy next year.

Special Requests for 2026 Class:

Part of the work we do in term 4 is to form the new classes for the following year. if you have any concerns or requests about other children your child should or shouldn’t be with, please put these in writing before Friday 24th October. Any requests received after this date CANNOT be able to be considered, due to the flow-on effect that any changes to classes already created has across the board. I will need to stick to this timeline quite tightly to ensure the process runs as smoothly and as efficiently as possible. Please note, requests for specific teachers will not be considered. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this process, please do not hesitate to contact the office to make an appointment to speak with me.

High Levels of Learning for All

Michelle Costa

Principal

Extend Before & After School Care