Primary Report
I hope everyone enjoyed their Summer holidays and have returned ready for another fun year of learning and discovery. I would like to welcome our new families and our new Prep students to our school and hope that you enjoy your being part of our Macleod community.
We have had a very settled start to term 1, 2026 in the Primary School. We are very happy to have 1 new staff member on our teaching team: Ms Zoe Helme-King who will be sharing with Mr Damiano Lo Nigro in Year 5/6. Mr Lo Nigro has taken on a new role this year, which is new to all Primary schools as our Mental Health Well being Leader. This role requires extensive training and coursework which is why Mr Lo Nigro is working in this space for 2.5 days per week.
I would like to remind parents/carers who are able to come to the Meet the Teacher sessions this coming week on Tuesday 24th February. I’m sure you will find them to be informative and hopefully you are able to have any of your questions answered. I know the staff appreciate the opportunity to meet you all face to face early in the year so that they can connect with you and start to build the relationship to support your child.
Mark Younes, our Their Care OSHC coordinator, reports that the number of students attending out of School Hours Care are growing and the program under his direction is meeting the needs of our families very well. The children are very engaged in the activities and Mark encourages their input to plan the afternoon tea menus, art activities, games and various other events for the children. We encourage all parents to enrol their children in the program, even if it is just there as a back plan for emergencies or casual use. You can contact Mark on 0417 000124 or via email at macleod@theircare.com.au
As I write this report, we look forward to our new Dance Program at the YMCA beginning on Friday 20th February. As I have mentioned previously, this program is part of our Physical Education requirements in the new curriculum. I hope the children will enjoy this program and learn some new skills in this area.
Events coming up in Primary this term:
Dance program at YMCA Macleod – every Friday 20th Feb – Friday 27th March
Meet the Teacher – in classrooms, Tuesday 24th Feb, 3:45pm
School Photos – Tuesday 3rd March
School Athletics at Meadow Glen Athletics Track for Year 5/6 students – Tuesday 10th March
Primary Swimming Carnival at Yarra Swim School – Wednesday 11th March, 11:45am-2:45pm
Twilight Sports Night on Primary Sports Area – Thursday 19th March, from 5:00pm
Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences – At School, Monday 30th March, 5:00pm-7:00pm
Online, Wednesday 1st April, 10:00am-6:00pm
Last day of term 1 – Thursday 2nd April, 2:20pm finish
We are here to support all our students and families and we welcome you to communicate with us anytime you have questions or concerns. Please be mindful that the teachers also have meetings to attend every Monday and Wednesday after school. We are always available via email and we will get back to you as soon as possible. If your issue requires a longer conversation, please make an appointment with the teacher/s concerned so that we can give it the time needed to discuss it.
Karen Butterworth
Primary Leader