We have had an action-packed fortnight to finish a very successful school year at Syndal South.

Terrific Kids

On Monday, Anne Wilson from the Kiwanis Club was at our assembly to present the Term 4 Terrific Kids Awards. A huge thank you to Anne for coming and presenting these special awards.

Congratulations to all our fabulous Terrific Kids Award recipients.

Foundation - Hirudi

Year 1 - Nora

Year 2 - Aadi

Year 3 - Ivory

Year 4 - Alannah

Year 5 - Alysa

Year 6 - Zoe

Year 3 Writing

I had a special visit from some Year 3 students who had come to share with me their published writing. I sat there in awe listening to them read so passionately to me their persuasive pieces on ‘We Should Do More for the Environment’. Congratulations to these talented young writers.

National/International Solar Challenge

What a rewarding experience the teams had at the National/International Solar Challenge held at Parkhill Primary School.

Thank you to the parents for taking the students to compete and to Libby Stuart- Andrews who supported the teams on the day. A huge thank you to Mrs Giannone-Perri for all the work she does overseeing the program and to Ian and Steven who come weekly to teach and mentor the students in the skills needed to design and build a boat or a car.

2025 Community Spirit & Leadership Awards

Each year Dr Catrina Garland MP, the Federal Member for Chisolm, holds these awards to recognise the contributions of students in the Chisolm electorate to their school and wider community. Ameyaa from Year 4 was the well-deserved recipient of this award from Syndal South Primary School. Congratulations Ameyaa!

Welcome to our 2025 Foundations

Last week we welcomed our 2026 Foundation families to our Information Night. The families were introduced to the Foundation teachers Ms Antzoulatos and Miss Jason. The night’s discussion centred on the start to school, covering areas like: starting times, the daily school routine, what needs to be packed into the lunch box and pick up and drop off areas. All students were given an information pack that was delivered in a ‘decorated’ bag. A huge thank you to our talented Year 6 students who during their art lessons had produced these magnificent decorative panels to decorate the bags.

Year 6 Graduation

Last Thursday evening our Year 6 families and friends celebrated the graduation of our Year 6 students at ‘The Whitehorse Club’. It was a fabulous night.

Congratulations to our Year 6 award winners:

F.I.R.E Award: Kento and Bella

Mathematical Excellence: Max and Claire

Citizenship Award: Kemindu and Harris

Sports Award: Imogen and Lucas

Leadership Award: Lewis and Sidd

English Excellence: Lincoln and Ada

All-Rounder Excellence: Edward and Annie

Norm Gibbs Award: Taviru

On behalf of all the SSPS community, I wish all the graduating Year 6 students a wonderful start to their secondary schooling in 2026 and that all their dreams for the future be realised.

I would like to acknowledge and thank the Year 6 teachers and the specialist teachers in 2025 for their dedication and commitment to ensuring that Year 6’s final year at SSPS was a memorable one.

School Captains

Special thanks to Lewis and Bella for being such wonderful role models and ambassadors in their role as school captains for SSPS. Lewis and Bella supported each other and worked as a great team sharing responsibilities throughout the year. I have found them an invaluable support to me personally as well. I have seen their confidence, public speaking, and organisational skills grow throughout the year. Thank you and well done!

2026 Student Placement

Tomorrow morning students will be given the opportunity to meet their 2026 class teacher and find out who their classmates will be in 2026. Many hours have been spent on the creation of these classes, considering the needs of students, balancing academic performance and gender. We ask you to support the placements made and speak positively to your child about the year ahead for them.

Final Assembly and Early Dismissal

All students will be dismissed at 1.30pm tomorrow. We will be holding our final farewell assembly at 1.00pm. We will be acknowledging students leaving SSPS F-6. The 2026 School Captains will be announced, and Year 6 graduating students will be singing their graduation song. Parents are most welcome to attend at 1.00 pm for the final assembly.

Thank You

Finally, the end of school is a perfect time to reflect on our achievements throughout the year and to show gratitude for the work and support of the wonderful school community. I would like to thank the school community (staff, students, and parents) for their support throughout the year.

To those families and staff leaving our school community with a special mention to Julie who will be leaving us after 11 years in the Office, I would like to wish you all the very best for the future and thank you for your amazing contribution over your years at SSPS. I am already aware of the loss you will be to the SSPS community!

It is now time for all of us to take a well-earned rest and spend some additional relaxing time with our families and friends and loved ones, we all deserve it.

As this is my final newsletter, I would again like to say that Syndal South will always hold a very special place in my heart. I am so grateful for the privilege of being your principal for the last eight years. Since announcing my retirement, I have been overwhelmed by your genuine care. Thank you for all the cards, emails, gifts and special wishes I have received. Your honest wisdom and kind words will stay with me forever. Thank you.

I sincerely wish everyone a very safe and happy festive season with their families and friends.

Helen

Principal

SSPS Afterschool & Lunchtime Programs in Term 1 2026