Principal's Message
Please take the time to read each page of our newsletter, as we provide you with information updates across our school.
TERM THREE EVENTS:
Please be aware that all upcoming Term Three events are now viewable within our Compass Calendar. We advise all families to add these events to your schedules.
Be SunSmart
SunSmart Hats are Compulsory from Monday September 1st onwards.
With sunny days becoming more frequent in Melbourne, we all need to be aware of the increasing risks of UV exposure as we head into warmer weather.
From the second last week in August, students and families are reminded annually that as a compulsory part of the school uniform from 1st September to 30th April of the following year, all students must wear a sun protective hat that shades the face, neck and ears for all outdoor activities. Hats may also be worn for all outdoor activities outside of the August to April time period, by parent or student choice.
As a part of our uniform policy, all students are required to wear an Upwey South Sunsmart hat when outside during school hours. Students may choose to wear their hat when travelling to and from school, however it is the responsibility of the student/family to make sure the hat is returned to school each day.
In preparation for September 1st, please be aware of the following conditions of enforcement:
- Students with ripped, tattered, damaged hats will be required to purchase/wear an undamaged hat.
- Students are not to share hats with people beyond their family.
- It is not acceptable for students to wear baseball caps or other style hats.
Hats may be purchased via the following methods:
- In-person from the school office during 8:30am- 4:00pm
- Bucket Hats- $18.00 Online ordering through Klad Sport available in S, M, L, XL
- Slouch Hats - $16.00 Online ordering through Klad Sport available in S, M, L, XL
Purchasing via Klad Sport: you can purchase your items online and choose delivery to your address or opt for in-store pickup. For in-store pickup, please contact the store beforehand via Hotline (03) 9558 5858 to confirm product availability.
Smile Squad six-month Fluoride Varnish Visit
The EACH Smile Squad team are heading back to our school to complete six-monthly fluoride varnish applications for those students who have provided consent. Fluoride varnish applications help make sure students have the best chance of preventing tooth decay, so we’re excited Smile Squad are coming back.
The Smile Squad Dental Team will be based in our OSHC Building between:
Monday 11th August- Wednesday 13th August 2025
Consent for this fluoride varnish application was provided when students’ initial consent forms were returned.
For any enquiries, please contact the Smile Squad team via:
EACH- 9757 6209
VSBA Works- Breezeway Toilet Upgrade
As we have previously communicated via Compass updates, the VSBA recently commenced works to upgrade our breezeway toilets.
Commencing from 6:30am Monday 6th August 2025, our site has been a hive of excitement. Students arriving early to OSHC last Monday were greeted with huge cranes expertly guiding two portable toilet blocks into place.
The project is expected to be completed by the first week of the September term break, with access to students scheduled to be available as of Day One, Term Four, 2025.
Yarra Ranges Council Traffic Management- Morris Road and Griffiths Road
As Principal, I extend my sincere gratitude to the families of Upwey South who have approached this matter with maturity.
As you would be aware, Yarra Ranges Council (YRC) are able to make traffic management decisions which they deem to be suitable, even if these decisions do not align with community consultation.
School Council continue to engage with YRC through all avenues available, such as written submissions, tabling agenda items at shire meetings, requests to meet in-person, and requests for access to data which resulted in the
current arrangements.
Should school community members wish to have their voice heard, we encourage you to make direct contact with YRC through either written
submission, or in-person.
For additional information, please refer to previous Compass posts:
- POSITION STATEMENT: USPS School Council response to Yarra Ranges Council Open Letter (YRC letter dated 12/06/2025)- dated 15/07/2025
- INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES: Yarra Ranges Council "Let's Talk Roads" - Community drop-in sessions- dated 25/07/2025.
2026 Student Enrolments
In 2026, Upwey South Primary School will be operating a 15-class model, consisting of:
- x3 Foundation classrooms in the BER building
- x2 Yr One classrooms in the main building
- x3 Yr Two classrooms in the main building
- x4 Yr Three/Four classrooms in the main building
- x3 Yr Five/Six classrooms in the BER building.
The physical locations for the above 2026 classroom structure reflects the same geographical locations as our current 2025 classroom structure.
In 2026, our total school enrolment will be ~350 students; which remains within +-10% of our current 2025 enrolment base.
To accommodate the above 2026 classroom structure, a 15th classroom space will be re-established in the main building, replacing the current location of our Allied Health Services (this area was a classroom until the mid-2000s).
Allied Health Services will be relocated to the knuckle of the BER, with three meeting spaces being established in this area.
Newsletter Publishing
Due to low reader numbers, this term we will be making some changes to the way we publish our newsletter. In Term Three, we will be undertaking the following actions:
- providing year levels with the freedom to report on news from their area which they think will interest readers (as opposed to the current curriculum based thematic school-wide approach)
- publishing on a Monday, to capture attention of our target audience (as opposed to leading into a weekend)
- publishing only two newsletters in Term Three, in order to reduce the ‘frequency’ of newsletters- therefore reducing the commitment from families.
Publishing dates for Term Three newsletters are:
- Monday 11th August
- Monday 15th September
Communicating with the Principal
We look forward to partnering with you in 2025, and welcome your input:
Damien Kitch
Principal
m: 0459 864 712