Newport Lakes Primary School

Principal Report

Hello Parents and Families,

 

We have reached the end of Term 1, 2024 - a term that was short (only 9 weeks), but also very sweet! 

 

Building the School - Home Partnership

There were lots of events that helped build this important partnership during the term. We had a strong showing for the online Parent Info Sessions in Week 4 (between 50-60% of parents F-4). The ‘Meet the Teacher’ interviews were also very well attended utilising the online option. Our Foundation Parent Picnic was held on a balmy late summer’s eve and it was lovely to see the new students, and their parents, interacting. Our Semester One Open Afternoon was another success, and a well-received addition to our community events since 2023. It was also great to see the extended families of our Year 1 students during a planting session one recent Friday morning. I also met with the new NLPS Parents Club president, Jacqueline Donnelly, and am excited to see what happens in that space over the coming year.

 

Mobile Phone Policy - A Reminder

The Department of Education’s (DE) Mobile Phone Policy is very clear that mobiles, and other smart devices, are not to be used at school / for communication with parents. I attended the Western Metropolitan Region Principal’s Forum earlier this month and the DE representative made it clear that this policy was not changing any time soon and urged us to ensure that our school communities were not only aware of the policy, but are also following it. Interestingly, all other states in Australia are also now introducing similar policies as they recognise the negative impact/distraction that mobiles bring to the classroom. It was also one of the reasons we moved to school based devices for the Year 5/6 1:1 iPad program this year. 

 

As parents, please be aware that all communication during school hours/events (including excursions and camps) is to be done through the school office. If required, please call the school on 03 9391 8942 and we can pass on any urgent message. Of course, we understand that some of our students may have mobiles and smart watches they use to communicate while walking to and from school - we ask that they be switched off and remain in their bags during the school day - or handed to the office if they feel that they will be safer there.

 

Our policy is located on the ‘Policies’ page of our website and can be read here. Thank you for your understanding and support in implementing this state-wide policy. 

 

Thank you, Woolworths Borrack Square

One of our lovely parents helped organise a generous donation of $500 worth of products from Woolworths Borrack Square last week. It included some non-perishable goods that the school will utilise over the coming months, and fresh fruit and vegetables the school distributed to some of our families. 

 

A Positive School Culture

You might be interested to know that the school staff came up with a statement about our school culture during whole school professional development in early 2023. Our staff are committed to being a professional, positive and supportive group, of each other and our students, and our statement reflects that commitment. Our collegiate staff culture means that we retain our wonderful staff and continue to build on the existing great teaching and learning that takes place.

Early Finish TODAY

A reminder that we will be finishing today, Thursday 28th March at 2:15pm as it is Good Friday the following day. We will be holding an outdoor assembly from 1:30pm and then students will be dismissed from their classrooms at 2:15pm.

 

I hope you all enjoy the Easter break, and a wonderful Eid to those that celebrate that. 

 

Happy holidays! 

 

Carly Bannon

Acting Principal

Foundation & Year 1 - Classroom Helpers

From Term 2, parents and carers will be welcomed into Foundation and Year 1 classrooms to offer assistance during the morning Literacy Block.

 

There will be two information sessions offered to parents and carers, and all helpers MUST attend one of these sessions. 

 

To clarify, even if you have previously attended a classroom helper information session, you are still required to attend one of these sessions to be sure you are up to date with current teaching of reading and writing.

 

What will I be doing in the classroom?

Different classrooms will have different needs on different days.  Example activities that support the class include: reading with students 1:1, playing letter and word games with a student or a small group of students, setting up iPads or other resources for students or showing students how to organise the classroom library.

 

Sign me up!

If you would like to be a classroom helper, you must:

 

1  -  Sign up for one of the two induction sessions being offered (again, even if you’ve attended in the past). These sessions are being held on the dates below and you sign up via this link -  CompassTix.

  • Tuesday 23 April, at 9.10 - 9.55am, or 
  • Thursday 2 May, at 3.20 - 4.00pm

2  -  Ensure that you have a current working with children check and that this has been presented at the office. You can apply for WWCC's at https://service.vic.gov.au/services/working-with-children

 

3  -   Thoroughly read the Victorian Government’s eleven Child Safe Standards, and NLPS Child Safety Policy, available at Policies – Newport Lakes PS

 

4  -  Read the Volunteer OH&S Induction Handbook and return the signed Volunteer OH&S Induction Checklist to the office.

 

To reiterate:

  • these are theonly two classroom helper information sessions being run this year, and 
  • every helper will need to attend one of these two sessions (even if you have already attended in the past) to ensure that you are up to date and ready to support our students.

We very much look forward to welcoming you into the classrooms.