Principal's Message

Headlines - Please Note

We encourage you to read this entire newsletter as lots of effort has been put into its production.  Here are the most urgent and important details to read in this edition (not just on this first page):

1. Potential Industrial Action, August 19 (see this page below)
2. Production (see this page below)
3. Outdoor Play (Leaders Page)
4.  

Principal's Message

Welcome to the start of Week 5 of a 10-week term. We are hurtling headlong towards the midpoint. This article is written by a human.

Firstly, I want to apologise for not seeing you at the front gate on Family Friday. I was at school, but was involved in some interviews for our 2027 staffing. I also received many gifts for National Principal's Day, and I feel a little abashed because I didn't get the chance to thank each child or parent who took the time to think of me so generously. I don't expect the gifts, but I have enjoyed them over the weekend and am incredibly humbled by your kindness.

For the last four weeks, since the beginning of Term 3, I have been hosting Miss Naomi, who is a school leader from a nearby network school. The purpose of this hosting was for her to shadow an established principal to see what programs and behaviours have led to the school and its leader being reasonably successful. It is part of a Department of Education program called Unlocking Potential, and this was the internship component. I feel I should have explained this a little better ahead of time - it is an oversight that I am only doing so in retrospect. 

Naomi was kind enough to write an article below addressed to the school community. I would invite you to read it because it is an outsider's view of life at South Melbourne Primary School, and I think it is worth recognising and celebrating. From my own and the SMPS perspective, it was an absolute joy to have someone of the moral character and skill of Naomi to help us. I particularly acknowledge the children and you, our wonderful community, for welcoming Naomi with such open arms. I think her article covers it all, but I am incredibly proud of you all for being so welcoming and engaging to a visitor to our school. I think the quality of a community can be gauged by how they welcome and accept newcomers and make them feel at home.

I am closely watching the excitement build towards our Production. The children are practising hard in their weekly formal dance sessions, and in between as well. But more importantly, there is a sense of energy and joy in the way they go about their dancing. There is nothing like children being excited and engaged in movement such as dance. I couldn't be happier with the way they are approaching this. I hope you get to share that excitement by making a commitment to spending a couple of hours with our community to celebrate our children together. I can say that their dances won't threaten the Bolshoi Ballet or the Australian Dance Company, but it will be fun, and they will do the best they can with the skills they develop over a short period of time.

It sounds strange to be preparing for 2027, but a lot of my time and mental energy is going into ensuring the long-term future of the school is protected. We have something incredible in what we have built here, and we should do everything we can to preserve our strengths. A lot of my time over the next four to six weeks will be focused on staffing.

We had two major visitor groups this week. The first were Japanese educators who came to see a high-functioning Victorian primary school, and they were in awe of what we have developed here. To receive praise from international visitors is quite humbling. We value many aspects of the Japanese system, and they certainly left with a sense of awe and wonder about what we have achieved. The second group were from a country primary school that aspires to develop what we have at SMPS. They were humble and kind, and open about the significant journey they have ahead of them to reach this point. I am proud that a school would choose to come to see best practice here. 

The visits don't stop there. On 21 August, we will welcome an official delegation of high-level educators from both the Victorian system and Busan in South Korea. We have been selected by our own educational leaders as an exemplar of practice for these international visitors to learn from. It is a significant honour, and one that belongs as much to our students, staff, and community as it does to anyone else.

Please read the articles below (and in fact the rest of the newsletter) because there are some important updates, especially around potential industrial action, which we need to remain ready for. 

I wish you all the best and thank you for being the best community I could ever imagine.

General Updates

Potential Industrial Action - Wednesday 19 August

There is the possibility of industrial action occurring on Wednesday 19 August. We will keep families updated as further information becomes available and ask that you watch for a separate Newsfeed closer to the date. I wish I had more information to provide, but this is all I have for now.

Year 3/4 Camp 

The camp will proceed as planned regardless of any industrial action. We will ensure appropriate staffing arrangements are in place so that camp goes ahead safely and successfully for all students.

Year 2 Craftpower In-Visit 

This is yet to be confirmed due to the clash of the possible industrial action. If the school is required to operate a supervision-only program, we will work with Craftpower to reschedule the in-visit for a later date this year.

Parent Supervision Before School (8:30am-8:45am)

This is a friendly reminder that teacher supervision begins at 8:45am each morning.

We have recently had a few incidents before school, including students becoming upset, arguing with peers, or injuring themselves while unsupervised. To help keep all students safe, families are asked to supervise their children if they arrive before 8:45am.

Thank you for your support in helping us provide a safe environment for all students.

Naomi's Article

What does community mean?

Over the past four weeks at South Melbourne Primary School, I have spent time reflecting on what makes this community so special. For me, community is built on shared values, strong relationships and a collective commitment to our children. It is about working together with a shared vision: helping every child become the very best human they can possibly be.

One of my strongest takeaways has been the way Community is modelled every day by our families. The mornings I have welcomed students at the gate; I see the impact and shared values of what happens at home. It may be a cheerful "good morning", a high five, a smile, encouraging words or simply a warm, “have a good day”. These small moments matter. They reflect the values you model, prioritise and nurture as parents, and they set the tone for the day ahead. This is the building of Character.

Another defining feature of this community is trust. As parents, you entrust the staff of South Melbourne Primary School with what matters most, your children, their learning. In my time here, I can confidently say that every conversation, reflection and decision I have been part of has come back to one central focus: what is best for each child. Your children are truly at the heart of the staffing community of South Melbourne. 

Conversations about learning and wellbeing are thoughtful, purposeful and deeply personalised. Teams regularly reflect on each child's strengths, challenges and next steps, ensuring that what they need to grow, succeed and thrive remains at the forefront of their work.

As I have walked through classrooms, I have seen a wonderful buzz of learning. Happy smiles, respectful relationships, curiosity and focus. Of course, there are challenges and some days are harder than others, but these moments are also valuable opportunities for growth and learning. Through experiences, successes and setbacks, children learn resilience, empathy and perseverance. These are the qualities that will help shape the best humans they can be, these are character building.

I feel incredibly privileged to spend time in this remarkable learning community. Thank you for the connections you have shared, the warm welcome into your community and the many learnings I have gained. It has been an absolute pleasure getting to know the students, staff and families who make South Melbourne Primary School such a special place.

Connectedness Survey

At South Melbourne Primary School, we are committed to ensuring every student is safe, happy, connected and achieving. As part of this commitment, in Terms 1 - 3 students complete a short Connectedness Survey. The survey helps us understand how they are feeling about their friendships and sense of belonging at school. 

Students are asked three simple questions: Do you have friends at this school?, Who do you like to play with?, and Who do you not like to play with?  The data from this survey helps us identify students who may need additional support with friendships or social skills. We can then intervene to ensure every child has positive peer connections. 

Individual responses are not shared with other students and are treated sensitively by staff. If the survey identifies that additional support may be beneficial, teachers may discuss the results with parents and carers, just as we would communicate with families about a student's academic progress. This is to ensure we are working together to support their success.

Production – Please See Compass Newsfeed for Full Details

At the time of writing you have bought 295 tickets already! Wow! And this is with only 25% of families purchasing tickets so far. It is going to be a big night!

GET YOUR TICKETS HERE! (Click here)

We have received a few questions from families and thought it would be helpful to share the answers with everyone.

Q: Do I need to purchase a ticket for a child who will remain in a pram for the entire performance?

A: No. Tickets are only required for seats that will be occupied. If a seat is used without a ticket being purchased, it means another paid attendee may miss out on seating.

For families bringing prams, we recommend selecting an aisle seat where possible, as these provide the most convenient access and space. There are plenty of aisle seats available, and arriving early will give you the best chance of securing your preferred seating.

Q: Will refreshments be available before or during the performance?

A: No. The venue generously supports our school by offering a very affordable hire rate. As part of this arrangement, food and drink sales are not available, and there is no cleaning team onsite during the event.

If you are concerned about refreshments, we suggest the following options:

• Please note that food cannot be brought into the venue.
• Families may wish to bring snacks or a meal to enjoy outside the venue before or after the performance. You could pack extra snacks/sandwiches into lunch boxes too.
• Alternatively, you may choose to visit one of the nearby cafés or restaurants before or after the show.

Thank you for your understanding and support. We look forward to seeing you at the production!

Key Dates - Term 3

• Friday 14 August: Whole School Assembly (2:40pm-3:30pm)
• Wednesday 19 - Friday 21 August: Year 3/4 Camp
• Thursday 27 August: Book Week Parade (9:30am-11:00am)
• Friday 4 September: House Assembly - Fathers Day Performance (2:40pm-3:30pm)
• Monday 7 September: Whole School Production (5:00pm-7:00pm)
• Friday 18 September: End of Term 3 - Footy Colours Day (1:30pm-2:30pm) - 2:30pm finish on this day!