Message from the Principal 

Week 1&2 Term 1 2026 

Dear CNPS Families,

Welcome back to Carlton North Primary School for the 2026 school year. What a wonderful start to the new year we have experienced (albeit with warm days and a building project that continues in earnest). I have thoroughly enjoyed connecting with our new and returning students and hearing from staff members about how the students have settled into the new year. 2026 is set to be another big year. Not only will the building works be completed this year, CNPS will undertake a school review in May, which will set our new strategic direction for the next 4 years. On the first day back this year I met with all staff to set forward our agenda for the new year. Alongside our steadfast commitment to student learning and wellbeing, I spoke with the CNPS team about continuing to evolve our relationships across community. Recognising that all who encompass the CNPS community, are more alike, than we are unalike. I will be referencing this statement throughout 2026, as it is my firm belief that to uphold our obligations to the students of Carlton North Primary School, we must consistently come together and place students at the centre. The CNPS team is dedicated to ensuring that the decisions and actions we take, are about the students, their needs and how we can continue to grow and prosper this important institution for the community of Carlton North.  

2026 CNPS Staff

Education Support Staff

Administration – Gaby Shortis and Janai Sheldon

Student/Classroom Support – Cassie Harvey, Nicole Higgins, Amanda Rocci, Deb Muscat and Sarah Morgan

Library Technician – Kim Best 

ICT Technician – Arthur Ho

Teaching Staff 

Specialists

P.E – Chris Atkins 

Italian – Dean Banova and Olivia Devitre

STEM – Carla Maxwell 

The Arts – Olivia Devitre 

MiniLit (Literacy Intervention) – Julia John

Foundation

Grace Hicks (PLC Leader), Sophie Lawrenson and Millie Holden

Year 1 

Rosa Considine (PLC Leader) and Ruby Dong

Year 2

Brendan Opray (PLC Leader) and Sophie Hooker

Year 3/4 

James Barnard (PLC Leader). Carlye Sinclair, Olivia DiCello and Chris Atkins  

Year 5/6 

Kara Ainsworth (PLC Leader), Jesse Tatterson, Angus Moller, Maddi Davis and Mary D’Cruz  

Leadership Team 

Principal – Matthew Ferguson 

Assistant Principal/s – Jane Bilby and Erin Brown

Learning Specialist/s – Maddi Davis and Grace Hicks (Acting)   

Business Manager – Trish Harrington 

Capital Works Project UPDATE

Over the holidays FIMMA and their team have been working diligently to complete the new library, staff/administration facilities and outdoor landscaping. Alongside continuing the construction of the new hall.

This week the new library will be formally handed over to CNPS. Following the handover Kim will begin the transition into the new setting. We do not anticipate having the new library online for some weeks. Please look out for more information (from Kim) about the transition and how we plan to involve students in this exciting milestone. 

FIMMA and the VSBA have advised CNPS that we will take possession of the new staff/administration facilities and outdoor space (O’Grady Street side) from Monday 23 February 2026. We anticipate it will take several days to transition into the new facilities. We apologise in advance for any delays or inconvenience caused during the transition period. 

Professional Learning 

Child Safe Standards – Staff Presentation 

On day one of the 2026 school year (Tuesday 27 January 2026), CNPS staff completed the first in a series of Child Safe Standards (CSS) professional learning sessions. These important sessions explore why Child Safe Standards are so important, Victoria’s standards, school policies and procedures, codes of conduct and reviewing the 11 standards. CNPS does not treat these sessions as a once-off, in fact Child Safe Standards are discussed and reviewed in all CNPS meetings (including School Council). Staff will attend the next CSS session later this term. 

Victorian Teaching and Learning Model 2.0

On Wednesday 28 January 2026, Dr Ryan Dunn again met with the CNPS team to continue our important work with the implementation of the VTLM 2.0. Teachers again explored the importance and power of explicit teaching (model it, guide it and interact constantly) and embarked on discussions of how we will continue to further this practice in 2026. We also explored ‘Guided Practice’ and the role of the teacher modelling, implementing ‘guided practice’ and moving students to independent practice. I again want to acknowledge the amazing staff we have at CNPS. I particularly want to thank the teaching staff for their positive and proactive attitude to the implementation of the VTLM 2.0. 

School Council 

Nominations for school council will open on Monday 23 February 2026 at 8am and close on Monday 2 March 2026 at 4pm. Nomination forms will be available (from 23/2/26) for collection at the front office. Once all nominations are received, CNPS will advise of the need for elections. Please look out for more information regarding this process via Compass newsfeed. 

2026 Student Free Days

Remaining student free days for 2026:

Attendance

Regular attendance at school is essential to support the learning, wellbeing and safety of children and young people. CNPS works hard to support student attendance. Recording accurate attendance of students on a daily basis is essential. A reminder to the community that school starts promptly each day at 9am. Supervision of students on-site at CNPS commences at 8.45am each school day.

Important Information   CNPS is implementing a new procedure for any student who arrives to school between 9am – 9.10am. Students arriving at this time, are asked to go straight to the classroom where teachers will update the 9am (morning) roll. Any student who arrives after 9.10am, will need to go to the office to sign-in.  The Compass Kiosk is available at the office counter for parents to sign their child in. Students arriving at the office without their parent will be signed in by our Admin team. 

Annual privacy reminder for our school community

Our school collects and uses student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the Schools’ privacy policy and the Schools’ privacy collection notice.

Our Photographing, Filming and Recording Students policy, describes how we collect and use photographs, video and recordings of students. The policy also explains when parent consent is required and how it can be provided and withdrawn. 

For more information about privacy, refer to: Schools’ privacy policy: information for parents. This information is also available in eleven community languages:

• Amharic
• Arabic
• Chinese
• Dari
• Gujarati
• Mandarin
• Somali
• Sudanese
• Turkish
• Urdu
• Vietnamese
•  

Student Wellbeing - 2026 PIVOT surveys 

Supporting student wellbeing is a shared goal of teachers, school leaders, parents and carers.  The dynamic nature of student wellbeing is a key driver for ongoing monitoring and intervention, particularly given the strong research links between positive wellbeing and academic learning. Pivot’s Wellbeing for Learning survey is a powerful platform designed specifically to capture student reflections on wellbeing. Equally significant is the pivotal role each educator plays in making sure each and every student has the opportunity to participate and have their voice heard. CNPS will again be utilising PIVOT surveys to support student wellbeing, using real time data to action and support students. If any parent/carer does not wish their child/ren to participate in the PIVOT surveys in 2026, please notify your classroom teacher.  

Thunderstorm Asthma Season

There is an increased risk of seasonal asthma, hay fever and epidemic thunderstorm asthma during seasons with increased grass pollen levels.  People with a history of asthma, undiagnosed asthma or hay fever are at risk under these conditions. This risk is increased further for people who have poorly treated hay fever and asthma.

The best way to reduce and prevent symptoms of asthma or hay fever and reduce absences from school is to follow an up-to-date asthma action plan or hay fever treatment plan, provided by a GP or specialist.

Year 3-6 Swimming Carnival 

The CNPS sports program kicks off with the Carlton North Primary School Swimming Carnival, which will be held on Thursday 19 February 2026 at the Fitzroy Pool, Alexandra Parade starting at 10am. Year 3-6 students will depart CNPS promptly at 9am with enough time to arrive for events at 9.40am.The school swimming carnival provides an excellent opportunity for all children to participate and compete in an event that suits their own preferences and competence. The 25 metre events allow children to experience competing in a swimming carnival. We cater for all abilities of swimmers in this event as we will start in the shallow water with an adult assisting in every lane. There is also an option of using a flotation device, such as a noodle or kick board if needed. The 50 metre events act as qualifying ‘events’ for children wishing to compete later in the Carlton District Swimming Carnival (26th of Feb) with the VPSSA Regional and State Carnivals held toward the end of Term 1 and start of Term 2.

If you have any questions regarding the swimming carnival (including wishing to discuss your child/ren swimming ability) please make contact with Chris. 

Hats/Sunscreen 

As we commence the new school year and the summer sun continues to shine, it is important that students have a hat to wear during recess and lunch. If you would like to purchase a hat, please contact the office. We also ask that families ensure students apply sunscreen at home before attending school. We do have some sunscreen supplies at school should students need to reapply during the day. 

School – Home Partnership 

The hallmark of a strong school-home partnership is open and respectful dialogue, that embodies the school values.  Please feel free to reach out to Jane, Erin, Trish or I should you have any questions or queries as the year progresses. 

We are excited to provide the students of CNPS a wonderful opportunity to extend their learning and wellbeing in 2026. 

Warm Regards 

Matthew Ferguson

Principal