Leadership Report

Term 2 – We're Back!

It was a quick Week 1, but what a fantastic way to start the term! It’s been wonderful to see everyone back, full of energy and ready for what’s ahead.

2026 Foundation Tours

This week, our school leaders welcomed potential 2026 Foundation families, leading the first tours of the term. Normally, I’d talk about how calm and focused our classrooms are after the break—but this time, it was our visiting families who said it first!

A huge congratulations to Florence and Lenny, who delivered a 15-minute presentation to over 50 families. Their depth of knowledge about our school’s processes, values, and goals was simply outstanding.

We also had a fantastic group of 20 Grade 6 students who took the families on tours, showcasing our bilingual and specialist programs. I couldn’t be prouder of how these students are stepping up and leading authentically.

Panama Celebration / Spanish Fiesta

We ended Term 1 with a bang during our Cultural Week celebrations! The dancing, singing, and drumming to the rhythms of Panama were a joy to watch—every student brought their best. A special (and overdue!) thank you to Luisa for her incredible work organising our Annual Spanish Fiesta. It was a huge success, filled with families from both inside and outside the Newlands community. Thanks also to the PFA, parent volunteers, and staff who stayed late to help with jumping castles, face painting, and dancing the afternoon away!

This term, we are turning our focus closer to home, exploring Indigenous Perspectives. Students will be deepening their understanding of a range of topics including weather and seasons, influential people, and history. This will run throughout the term and culminate in another wonderful Cultural Week open classroom celebration.

Writing Rules! Starts Week 4

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Term 1 before-school Writing and Maths program—it was a huge success! Due to some early term interruptions, Writing Rules will kick off in Week 4.

We’ve had a lot of interest from families, and unfortunately, we can't offer as many places this term. Families will be contacted next week with updates. We’re hoping to expand again in Term 3.

Working Bee – This Weekend

Join us this Saturday and Sunday (8:00am–12:00pm) as we prepare the Indigenous Habitat Corridor. Whether you can spare half an hour or the whole morning, your help will make a huge impact. Let’s get our hands dirty for a great cause!

Outdoor Movie Night – Next Friday

Let’s make the most of these clear autumn nights before winter sets in! Join us next Friday for our PFA Outdoor Cinema Night. We’ll be watching Paddington Bear (straight from Peru!) on the grass in our new playground area—no more dirt patch!

Bring your blankets and enjoy popcorn, soup, and other delicious goodies. Details are in the school newsletter.

The Colour Run Returns – 2025

It’s back! A note went out on Sentral today, but more details will follow in next week’s newsletter. Last year’s Colour Run raised over $20,000! This year’s funds will go towards refurbishing our B-Block buildings in preparation for two new Grade 5/6 classrooms.

Holiday Upgrades

Over the holidays, we removed the old carpark to create more play space. The new grass will take 8–10 weeks to grow—but we promise, it’ll be worth the wait!

We’ve also upgraded the kitchen in the OSHC space—Jill is thrilled, and we can’t wait to see what culinary magic comes out of there. Michelin stars, here we come!

Thanks for a great first week back. We’re looking forward to sharing more classroom highlights soon. Enjoy your weekend!

Luke