Primary School

Upcoming Events

Head of Primary

Encouragement is the Key

I had the joy of listening to students (and a parent!) share their experiences of encouragement at our recent assembly. They shared heartfelt stories of cheering on their classmates in maths or writing, moments when they received encouragement themselves, and times they witnessed others lifting each other up. With each story, the room filled with joy, and the faces of our students lit up with excitement and cheer. By the end of the assembly, it was clear that encouragement had transformed the mood in the hall that afternoon.

The truth is words are powerful. They hold meaning; they can wound, or they can build up. 

Paul, in his letter to the Thessalonians, understood this power when he urged them to “encourage one another and build each other up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Similarly, the apostle James warned us about the influence of the tongue. He called us to use our words wisely, reminding us, “With our tongue, we give thanks to our Father in heaven. And with our tongue, we speak bad words against men who are made like God. Giving thanks and saying bad words come from the same mouth. My Christian brothers and sisters, this is not right!” (James 3:9-10).

Countless studies affirm the incredible impact that encouraging words have on our lives and communities:

• Boosting Confidence and Self-Esteem: Positive words help others see their strengths, making them feel valued and boosting their confidence.
• Fostering Positive Relationships: Encouraging language builds trust and a sense of community, creating healthier, more fulfilling relationships.
• Increasing Motivation and Productivity: Uplifting words inspire us to keep going, work harder, and stay focused—especially during challenges.
• Improving Mental Health: Words of affirmation reduce stress, lift our spirits, and foster a healthier, more positive outlook.
• Creating a Supportive Culture: Consistent encouragement builds an environment where people feel safe expressing themselves, taking risks, and growing.
• Strengthening Emotional Resilience: Hearing words of support helps us build resilience, making facing and overcoming challenges easier.
• Creating a Ripple Effect: When we encourage others, they are inspired to encourage others in return, creating a cycle of positivity that spreads outward.
• Building a Sense of Purpose and Belonging: Positive language reinforces each person’s unique contributions, helping them feel seen, valued, and essential.

Using kind, constructive, and uplifting words transforms the hearts of those who receive them and creates a more positive, cooperative, and joy-filled community for everyone involved. Let us choose our words to build each other up, knowing that through them, we support a thriving, joyful community.

Danielle Lupi, Head of Primary

Music Showcase Night

The community is warmly invited to watch the Music Showcase Concert coming up next Wednesday 27 November at 6:30pm in the G Block Gym. Performers are to arrive at 6:25pm to ensure that you can get your seat and your child can feel comfortable and not rushed. 

If your child is performing, please dress them in something that looks 'nice' but is comfortable. Dressing up can be a fun part of performing as long as your child is comfortable and can move easily in their clothes. If in doubt, school uniform is perfectly acceptable! - Elizabeth Mallen, Music Teacher

Reading Hour

Once again, the Library opened its doors after school for an hour of reading fun. Over 170 students and their families attended Reading Hour, and enjoyed hot chocolate, colouring, games of chess and a time of exploring ‘Wonderland’ in the reading Room.

Many families arrived in their PJ’s and snuggled up on quilts and beanbags to read books together.

A highlight of the evening was a marvellous puppet show performed by Melbourne Puppet Kerfuffle. The event raised $100 for the Fiji Book Drive. - Jennifer Champion, Library Coordinator

Prep Students Enjoy Their First Bayside Camping Experience

On Friday 25 October, the Prep students kicked off the Bayside camping program with an exciting dinner at school. Dressed in their party clothes, the children played fun games like ‘Duck, Duck, Goose’, ‘Fruit Salad’ and ‘Simon Says’ before enjoying a delicious pizza feast. Among the many toppings available, Hawaiian proved to be the most popular choice of the night.

To aid digestion after dinner, Mrs. Lupi captivated everyone with a delightful story. This was followed by icy poles and some dancing, wrapping up a wonderful evening before the children headed home for a good night’s sleep.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to our wonderful parent volunteers, whose festive decorations provided an excellent backdrop for photos.

Dedicated helpers thoughtfully prepared the watermelon and vegetable platters, and many parents also assisted with serving the pizza and cleaning up. This support allowed the staff to engage more with the students and thoroughly enjoy this exciting event.

The only tears at the end of the night were from students who didn’t want to leave! A big thank you to the Prep-Two team for their hard work and to Mrs. Lupi, Mrs. Chester, and Mrs. Blashki, who generously dedicated their time to supporting this memorable event. 

Prep Moonlit Sanctuary 

On Wednesday 13 November, Prep B and Prep M had a unique learning experience at the Moonlit Sanctuary. The students learned about the three types of carnivores - quoll, Tasmanian devil and dingo - living at the sanctuary. We were able to touch a shingleback lizard and a python, a rare opportunity for us - Mrs Bolden was brave enough to have the snake around her neck! 

As a class, we walked around the sanctuary to see the wombat, koalas, emus, echidna, cockatoos, and we could feed some wallabies. Our focus for Integrated Studies this term has been the external features of animals, so seeing them up close in their habitats was a great learning opportunity. It was such a fun and informative excursion! - Donna Martin, Prep M Teacher

Environment Club

This year, our Environment Club, a small group of dedicated students from Years One to Four, has experienced remarkable success. It has enhanced our connection with God’s creation and enabled us to learn more about sustainable living. We embarked on an enriching journey, planting and nurturing a variety of vegetables and herbs while caring for our chickens. The abundance of radishes, lemons, and fresh herbs we harvested was a testament to our hard work and commitment to environmental stewardship.

Our culinary adventures included making pickled radishes, a tangy delight that showcased our produce, and homemade lemonade, which not only quenched our thirst but also fostered a sense of community as we shared it with friends and family. These activities brought joy and reinforced our understanding of sustainable practices and the importance of local produce.

As we look forward to our summer crop, we’ve recently planted a diverse array of vegetables, including lettuce, tomatoes, snow peas, silverbeet, and corn. The anticipation of nurturing these new plants and harvesting fresh produce inspires us to continue our environmental efforts.

We are deeply grateful to God for the blessings of this season, which have provided us with the resources and opportunities to learn and grow. This year's experiences have strengthened our bond as a club and instilled in us a deeper appreciation for nature and healthy living. We are excited about the future and committed to making an even greater impact in the coming year. - Sarah Cave, Primary Teacher

Year 1/2 Arthurs Seat Excursion 

On Friday 8 November, we boarded the bus and journeyed to Arthurs Seat. We arrived at the summit and were welcomed by John, who acknowledged the traditional custodians of the land. We divided into two groups and explored the summit and base stations. The gondola ride down the mountain was a highlight, and the views overlooking the peninsula were breathtaking. 

The weather was kind to us. At the base camp we participated in activities in the hangar, led by Sarah and Karen. We had colourful booklets to work through. We discovered the history of Arthurs Seat and learnt about how John Murray sailed into Port Phillip Bay in 1802 on the Lady Nelson ship. After an exciting day of travelling up and down the gondola we explored the meandering footpaths, taking us through flora and fauna, arriving at Seawinds Gardens for lunch in the sunshine. 

There were sounds of laughter and giggling as we finished the day with a play in the nature-inspired playground.  - Jennie Taylor, Carolyn Johnson, Madura Nadarajah, Primary Teachers

3/4 Little Woodworkers

On a beautiful, sunny day in October, Year 3 and 4 students were invited to join Jim from Little Woodworkers. Jim talked to us about all the different types of wood, their various uses, and the furry and feathered animals that call the trees their home. Did you know that cinnamon and cork are made from tree bark?

Jim demonstrated each of the tools and equipment that we would need to build our cars. First, we constructed the wheels and axles. Next, we pushed the wheels and axles through the body of the car. Finally, we put a wooden driver inside. We sanded down our car and personalised our creations. I loved it very much!  - Liora, 3/4T  

5/6 Into the Wild

All the Year Fives and Sixes had the absolute privilege of joining the Year 11s for the ‘Into The Wild day’! The Year 11s planned all these fun activities for us to enjoy, from a balancing beam game to a cooking s’mores to a full-on game of volleyball. 

We felt like we got to know the older students better and spent time with people we didn’t usually hang out with. My personal favourite was the spider web challenge, with my team getting the fastest score of 13 seconds! It was super fun and one of the best days of the year! - Portia, 5/6 Student