Mr. Barclay's Bulletin

Welcome! 

Hello NPS families. 

For many in our school community, it has been a very emotional 2 weeks with the passing of Blake Albones, one of our school community parents. 

For those who knew Blake and or knew of him, he was a larger-than-life character who always had a smile on his face and was always up for a chat.  Blake coached one of our girl's football teams earlier this year and also attended our SLA camp and was hugely popular amongst our students. 

Mr. McKinnis and I attended Blake's service yesterday at Mooney Valley Race Course and the outpouring of grief for Blake and his family was enormous. As a school, we were represented by several families who knew Blake as well as several of our students. Our hearts and thoughts remain with Blake's wife Sussannah and their girls, Georgia, Asha, and Evie. 

Today was our first session for our 2024 Prep Cohort! It was so exciting to see our new preps for 2024 come along and engage in this morning's activities. There were some very eager little people onsite who just can not wait to get to school next year!  

Next week we have our intensive swimming program starting so please remember to pack - or better yet have them do it - all bathers, goggles, swimming caps and required changes of clothes (and please make sure everything is named). Although it is internally a bit of a logistical nightmare to facilitate and organize, our swimming program is brilliant and we know that our students take a lot from it. Thank you to all parents/caregivers who have offered to assist during the program. 

As some may have already seen, we raised a whopping $2,500 dollars at our Referendum Sauasage Sizzle and Cake Stall. For all parents and students who came to assist on the day - thank you! Your time was and is greatly appreciated. 

A final reminder that class placement requests close next Friday 27th October so please email the school (newtown.ps@education.vic.gov.au) if you have these. 

That is it from me. Stay safe, healthy, and have a great weekend. 

Corrie Barclay

Principal