PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Dear Parents and Carers,

The Colour Run is just one sleep away, and we are absolutely blown away by the incredible effort and generosity of our school community! 

Thanks to your support, we’ve raised over $35,000 in just four weeks, an amazing achievement that brings us so much closer to our new playground. There’s still time for one final fundraising push overnight to help us reach our goal!

Tomorrow will be a modified school day to make room for all the Colour Run fun. Lunchtime will be slightly shorter, but please still pack snacks and lunch as usual. Lunch orders will run as normal and Zooper Doopers will be available as a special treat for $1.

Don’t forget to wear a white shirt (or black if you’d prefer to avoid the colour!) along with older shorts and shoes. A towel for afterwards is also a great idea, especially for the car ride home after a bright and messy afternoon!

Parents and friends are invited to join us from 2:00pm to share in the fun. Our Java Nice Day café will be open for visitors to enjoy a coffee or hot chocolate while cheering on the kids.

We’ve got an afternoon full of excitement planned, it’s sure to be a day to remember!

School Review

Our school is currently undertaking its School Strategic Review, an important process that helps us reflect on our achievements over the past four years and set new goals for the future. The review involves staff, students, and parents working together to celebrate our successes and identify areas for continued growth.

We welcomed the following professionals that have formed the panel to help reflect on the past and plan for the future. 

Matthew Knight - Reviewer

Anne Gawith - SEIL - City Network

Stephan Fields - Principal Ballarat High School

Gabrielle Zorko - Principal Springside Primary School

Natalie Mahar - Education Improvement Leader - City Network 

Marc Oliver - School Council president

Over three days, the review panel will visit classrooms, observe planning sessions and engage in discussions with staff, students and parents. They will also help us analyse data collected over the past four years to gain a clear picture of our school’s progress and future opportunities.

Day 1 of our review began with a student-led Acknowledgement of Country, followed by a choir performance that included Auslan. Our school captains then proudly guided our special guests on a tour of the classrooms and school facilities, representing our school with confidence and pride.

We look forward to sharing the outcomes of the review and our new School Strategic Plan, which will guide our priorities and actions for the next four years. Thank you for your ongoing support as we continue to make Lucas Primary School the best it can be.

School Council

On Monday evening, our School Council met for the October meeting. We were pleased to welcome Casey Jenkins, who has joined Council to fill a casual vacancy.

Key discussion points from the meeting included:

• Presentation of the October financial report
• An update on staffing for the 2026 school year
• Student enrolment and grade structure planning for 2026
• A facilities update, including plans for the upcoming playground development
• A teaching and learning report highlighting professional learning, assessment and program development
• A wellbeing report outlining progress with Disability Inclusion, student grief and play support programs and the kinder-to-school transition program
• Review of parent survey data, including celebrations and areas for improvement
• A self-reflection on School Council’s governance practices
• Initial planning for the carols evening raffle

We thank all school councillors for their ongoing commitment, time and contribution to the continued growth of our school.

Year 7 Transition Parent Information Session

Last week, we welcomed our Year 6 parents to a special information evening focused on supporting students through the transition to secondary school. Guests Fiona (Year 7 Coordinator from Ballarat High School), Sharon (former Lucas PS parent), and Maize (former Lucas PS student) shared their insights and experiences to help families navigate this important milestone with confidence.

Our senior teaching team also presented the work being done at Lucas Primary during Term 4 to equip students with the skills and mindset needed for a successful transition.

A thank you to all parents and guests who joined us for this valuable evening.

Preparing for 2026

As we begin the final term of 2025, our focus shifts to planning and preparations for the 2026 school year. Over the coming weeks, we’ll be working to confirm staffing and class structures for next year. If your child will not be returning to Lucas PS in 2026, please contact the office to let us know.

Thank you in advance for your support.

As we begin the process of forming classes for the new school year, our goal is to create well-balanced learning environments that support the academic, social and emotional needs of every student. Staff take great care in considering a range of factors, including learning styles, friendships, behaviour and support needs, to ensure each class is set up for success.

We understand that change can sometimes be challenging for our students, especially when it involves new classmates or teachers. Parents can play an important role by speaking positively about the opportunities that come with change, such as making new friends and learning from different teachers. Encouraging your child to be open-minded, resilient and confident helps set the tone for a smooth and successful start to the new year.

We appreciate your trust in this process and the partnership we share in supporting every student to thrive.

Christmas Carols Organising Committee

Please lock in, Wednesday December 10 for our annual Christmas Carols evening at Lucas PS. The evening will begin at 5pm and conclude at approx. 7pm with an opportunity to bring a picnic and watch the students perform their songs. 

The Christmas Carols night does require considerable preparation and therefore, we are looking for a few parents to join the organising committee which will meet in the weeks leading up to the event. 

Our next meeting is at 8am on Tuesday the 11th of November. If you are interested, please contact the office for more details. 

This night is a great way to finish off the year and one last opportunity for our wonderful community to come together before the Christmas holidays.

World Teacher's Day - This Friday

Tomorrow, we celebrate World Teachers’ Day, a special opportunity to recognise and thank our incredible teachers for the passion, care and dedication they bring to our classrooms every single day.

Our teachers do so much more than deliver lessons, they inspire curiosity, nurture confidence and make a lasting difference in the lives of our students and families. Their commitment to creating engaging, inclusive and supportive learning environments is something truly worth celebrating.

Please join us in showing our appreciation for all that our teachers do. 

Happy World Teachers’ Day to our amazing team!