Week 7,8&9 Term 3 2025

Dear CNPS Families

As we near the end of Term 3, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on my nearly 12-months as Principal of Carlton North Primary School. It has been a busy and somewhat fast paced 12-months. I have recently been reflecting on the letter I wrote to the community in Term 4 2024. I stated the following, ‘I am excited to share my vision for Carlton North Primary School and the journey we will embark on together. At the heart of this vision is a simple yet powerful idea: Building a vibrant community where learners thrive through rigorous education, forward-thinking facilities, and authentic connections that foster trust and inclusion’. I share this again in the hope that the community can see the steps the team and I are taking each and every day as we execute this vision. I do believe that one of the challenges for the school was to review our teaching and learning program, ensuring we deliver FISO (Framework for Improving Student Outcomes 2.0) in full. This requires an even balance in focus for learning and wellbeing – 50/50. To do this effectively, it has required changes to our processes in both the learning and wellbeing aspects of our school. The Department of Education has clear expectations for schools to implement the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model (2.0) and this requires CNPS to make changes in the delivery of our teaching and learning.

IMPORTANT REMINDER Annual Parent/Carer Survey

Our school is conducting the annual Parent / Carer Opinion Survey offered by the Department of Education and is seeking your feedback. The survey is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of families’ perceptions of school climate, student behaviour, and student engagement. The survey is optional, but we encourage and appreciate your participation. Our school will use the survey results to assist in identifying areas for improvement and professional development needs in the school, to target school planning and improvement strategies.

The Parent / Carer Opinion Survey will be open online from Monday 18 August to Friday 19 September 2025.

The survey will be conducted online, only takes 20 minutes to complete, and can be accessed at any convenient time on desktop computers, laptops, tablets or smartphones.

The online survey will be available in English and 10 other languages including Arabic, Greek, Hakha Chin, Hindi, Japanese, Punjabi, Simplified Chinese, Somali, Turkish, and Vietnamese. Resources are also available in additional languages to assist parents / carers who speak a language other than English at home.

For details on how to access the survey, please see Compass.

Community Conversation

Thank you to those parents/carers who were able to attend CNPS on Thursday in Week 7 to engage in the community conversation about parent/carer celebrations. We are aware some members of the community were unavailable to attend the meeting. There is a QR code on Compass which has two questions if any parent/carer wishes to add their voice to the conversation.

Capital Works – Building Modernisation and Upgrade

The capital works project continues in earnest. Each fortnight Trish and I meet with a large building team, comprising VSBA, FIMMA, architects and the school. These meetings provide an important opportunity to bring all parties together to review the project timeline, infrastructure updates, changes to costings, OHS, pending disruptions and other important discussion points. CNPS has requested the VSBA supply the school some images and drawings to be able to share with the school community.

R U OK? DAY 2025

R U OK? Day emphasises that every day is the right day to ask ‘are you okay’?

By starting a conversation, you could change a life. During these conversations, if a person was to say they are not okay, you can follow conversation steps to show them they’re supported and help them find strategies to better manage the load. If they are okay, that person will know you’re someone who cares enough to ask.

This year, R U OK? Day is today, Thursday 11 September 2025.

Professional Learning

Carlton North Primary School with Abbotsford Primary School are proud lead schools for Respectful Relationships. As a lead school we work with the department to co-lead a cluster of government and non-government schools in the inner-north. On Thursday 4 September 2025, Carlton North Primary School, Princes Hill Primary School, Fitzroy Primary School and the Respectful Relationship team from the North East Melbourne Area, attended the Neighbourhood Justice Centre (NJC) in Collingwood. The NJC which opened in 2007 is the only justice centre of its kind in Australia and services the City of Yarra exclusively. The NJC provides an example of a community justice model and has a therapeutic approach at the heart of its work. The centre provides many services, including a multijurisdictional court, mental health clinicians, family and domestic violence support, housing support and many others for the people in the City of Yarra. While majority of the services the NJC offer are tailored for adults over 18 years of age, there are a variety of services that can support school communities. All schools in attendance at the workshop used the presentation and networking opportunity to establish contacts and gain valuable information for their community. If you have any questions about the NJC, please reach out to Jane or myself.

Leaving CNPS? Moving House? Moving Overseas? Visa Expiring?

If you have any intention to unfortunately leave CNPS in the next 6 months, please let the school office know. Your decision doesn't need to be definite but giving us a heads up is very helpful. This information is vital for the school to budget and plan for staffing in 2026. If you suspect you may be moving house, travelling overseas or you know your visa is expiring, please inform the school via email: carlton.north.ps@education.vic.gov.au at your earliest convenience.

Parent/Carer Helpers

We are so grateful to the many parent/carers who generously give up their time to support their child/ren in their schooling. All parents/carers who volunteer at school or on an incursion/excursion (including camps) are required to have a Working With Children Check (WWCC). Another important aspect of being a parent/carer helper is upholding school policies and processes, such as not giving or sharing food with students (who are not your child) on-site or on excursions/camps. We thank the amazing CNPS community for your ongoing support.

Supervision Hours

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. In the afternoon there is a teacher on duty in the yard from 3.30pm – 3.45pm. If at anytime you are running late to collect your child/ren, please contact the office.

Hats/Sunscreen

As we enter spring, 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.

Warm Regards

Matthew Ferguson

Principal

Beyond the Gates