Principal's

Message

2025 PREPS

We are currently finalising orientation plans for our new Preps in 2025. If you have not enrolled your child, please pop into the office to collect an enrolment form or download the form from the website. We need your enrolment urgently so that you don’t miss out on important information and orientation details for your Prep. 

LEAVING SMPPS?

If you are leaving South Melbourne Park Primary at the end of this year, could you please inform the school, via email? It’s really important that we have a clear picture of enrolments for next year so that we can ensure staffing requirements are met. 

PLAY SPACES

The Preps were pretty excited to see the new turf go in on the southern end of the Prep terrace las week. The space is definitely looking much more inviting! 

We’ve also added to our construction equipment, with some more items to come. At recess today, I could hear the scampering of feet coming into the green space behind my office. I came out to find so many students either chilling out with their friends on the turf or playing calmly and cooperatively with each other. So proud of them!

PROCESS FOR COLLECTION AFTER ‘SPLIT CLASS’

From time to time, we make the decision to split a class when a teacher is absent. At the end of the school day, children who have been ‘split’ into another class will be asked to go and meet their parent/carer at their usual pick up spot. If the child cannot find their parent, they are instructed to return to the supervising teacher. Parents and Carers, it is best if you remain in your usual pick up location. If, after a reasonable time, you have concerns about the location of your child, please seek a teacher on yard duty (wearing yellow hi-vis vests) and ask them to make an announcement. 

CLASS PLACEMENTS FOR 2025

We are currently in the beginning stages of structuring classes for next year. All classes will be developed with care. Over week 5 (4th – 8th November), the students will be asked to provide 5 names of children that they work well with, including some children from outside their current grade. These names will not be ranked. We will endeavour to make sure that every child gets to be in a class with at least one person from their preference list. You might like to discuss some possible options with your child at home over the next week, in preparation. 

As a staff, we will do our best to create balanced classes based on many criteria and complexities. Parents/Carers who believe that there are extenuating circumstances which need to be considered during this time, should email the school with the subject heading ‘Classes for 2025’ by Friday, 8th November. If you have forwarded your request for consideration in previous years and it is still pertinent, we ask that you send in a new correspondence each year. We will not consider requests for your child to be placed with another student or for them to be taught by specific teachers. Thank you for your understanding with this.

WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY

To our wonderful teachers at SMPPS,

We want you to know that we think you are exceptional! During our Validation Day, we spoke about this school being our first experience of such a cohesive and open to learning staff. You absolutely have kids at the heart and never shy away from extending yourselves professionally to expand your knowledge and improve outcomes for our kids. 

Last night at the PL we were so thrilled to see you all devouring the DIBELS data and really celebrating the growth of each and every child, whilst also searching for next steps. And to our specialist teachers and Lisa B, you continue to inspire us every day with your knowledge, passion and extraordinary skills. A strong specialist team really does make all the difference. A shout out to our hard-working Learning Specialists, Joh and Mel, who go above and beyond every day, as leaders, teachers and colleagues. This school would not function without you!

We cannot thank you all enough for your professionalism, care and collegiality. You are a pleasure to work with and we hope you have a beautiful WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY!

A huge thank you from our teachers for the beautiful morning tea provided by families, in celebration of World Teachers’ Day. The staff loved the special messages in the e-card  too, and absolutely felt the appreciation. 

Nicole Arnold