Principal's Report

What a start!

This year kicked off with an epic opening assembly that truly set the tone for an amazing journey ahead. From the humbling stories and cleansing smoking ceremony, lead by Aunty Joy Murphy and her son Craig, to the energetic Lion Dance performance, our students were captivated and are undoubtedly motivated for the year ahead. It was also a pleasure to hear from the Deputy Lord Mayor, Roshena Campbell, who we will be sure to see again throughout the year. We also got to introduce our new staff members who bring fresh perspectives and talents to our school community. Their enthusiasm is contagious, and we look forward to the positive impact they will have on our students' lives.

A huge thank you also to all of the families who made the very short trek across the road to be part of the CGPS playdate, it was wonderful to see many families connecting and enjoying the play space across the road in the fine weather. We know that we will be seeing that sea of blue across the road every afternoon we are blessed with fine weather.

Our Prep students have made a fantastic start to their schooling journey. Their eagerness to learn and explore is truly heartwarming, and we're committed to nurturing their curiosity and growth throughout the year. Parents, thank you for entrusting us with your child's education as we do understand the significance of the milestone that is 'starting school'. Together, we'll make this year a remarkable chapter in their academic and personal development.

Next week are our scheduled 'meet and greet' sessions, where you will have an opportunity to sit down with your child's teacher for 2025. This is a great opportunity to make an initial connection for what is going to be an important relationship that will have your child at the centre. We look forward to this snowballing into an important partnership that contributes to our school's success this year. More information about these sessions will be shared through Compass.

I would like to also thank our outgoing School Councillors: Shanshan, Diane, Michael, Cherry, Tammy and Monika. We have appreciated your support and contribution to our school. Without your support we would not be in the amazing position we are today. Thank you also to those who have already nominated for the 2025 Council. Stay tuned for updates through Compass.

As we formally kick off this school year, we would like to also remind everyone about the importance of road safety around our school. Whether travelling by bike or scooter please ensure your child wears a helmet and follows traffic rules. For the huge number of families who travel to school on foot, please ensure you pay extra careful attention to driver at any road crossing. Whilst we do only have 1 supervised crossing near our school, the surrounding streets that have zebra crossings and traffic lights provide a little extra safety - but do require extra care and attention form pedestrians (possibly something we chat to the Melbourne Council about). Finally, for the families who drive and drop off their students, please make sure you support your child to keep an eye our for cyclists in the bike lane and also drop off only in the designated zone - or better yet, park around the corner and walk up to the drop off. Let's work together to keep our school community safe and sound.

Once again, welcome to the 2025 school year at Carlton Gardens Primary School. We're excited about the possibilities ahead and look forward to a year filled with achievements, learning, and fun!