Leadership Report

Dear Saltwater Families,

Dear families, welcome to Term 3 Week 4. It is lovely to see the weather improving and there is a real feel of Spring in the air – predictably unpredictable weather!

No School on Cup Day and Cup Day Eve

A reminder to families that students do not attend school on the following days due to our Curriculum Day and the Melbourne Cup Holiday:

• Monday 4th November - Curriculum Day
• Tuesday 5th November - Melbourne Cup Day Holiday

School Tragedy at Auburn South PS

Our hearts go out to the entire Auburn South Primary School community, following the tragic accident that claimed the life of a young boy and injured four other children. Such events deeply affect all those involved, and our thoughts and sympathies are with the families, friends, teachers, and staff who are dealing with the shock and sadness of this devastating incident.

In times like these, the strength of a community is especially vital. We are reminded of the importance of offering compassion, support, and understanding to those around us. Let us keep each other close, show kindness, and remember the importance of unity in healing.

To all our families, this is a timely reminder of the importance of road safety. Please take care whilst driving and parking around our school zone.

2025 Class Formations

Our leadership team and current staff meticulously curate the complicated process of class development during the course of Term Four. Teachers take into account a variety of elements while setting up classrooms and assigning pupils, such as the ratio of male to female students, academic diversity, behaviour, and students who receive supplementary funding for a diagnosis or medical conditions. 

Teachers will work in collaborative teams to allocate students to 2025 classes. Our teachers are committed to creating an environment where your child can thrive and reach their full potential. We appreciate your trust in our knowledge and judgement when it comes to selecting the most suitable class for your child's learning and wellbeing needs. Due to the complex process, we are unable to accommodate requests for class placements and teachers. 

Please assist us by informing us at your earliest convenience if your child will not be returning to our school next year. Phone our college on 03 8366 7700 or email us at saltwater.p9.co@education.vic.gov.au

NO HAT, NO PLAY - Sun Smart - Hats for Term One and Term Four. 

We would like to remind families of the importance of wearing a sun-smart hat during outdoor activities including recess, lunch and Physical Education lessons. Students without hats will be required to refrain from play and stay in the shaded areas of the school. We understand that this is often an item of school clothing that can be easily lost. Please ensure that hats are clearly labelled with the student's name.

Significant Dates and Reminders

We have many scheduled and exciting activities planned for this term, so please be sure to visit the 'Important Dates' part of our newsletter.

Prep Transition Program for 2025

We are excited to welcome our new Prep students for 2025! Our Prep Transition Program is designed to help children develop confidence and familiarity with the school environment, teachers, and routines, ensuring a smooth start to their school journey.

Prep Information Session

For our future Prep families, join us for an online information session on Wednesday, 6 November 2023, at 5:00 PM. Our Prep leaders will share insights into the Prep program and answer any questions. You can join the session via Webex by following this link.

Transition Sessions

We are offering two transition sessions in November 2024 to help new Preps settle in.

• Group 1: Tuesday 12 and Tuesday 26 November, 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM
• Group 2: Wednesday 13 and Wednesday 27 November, 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM

We look forward to meeting all our future Prep students and their families!

2025 Transition Session on Thursday, 19 December

As we approach the end of the school year, our Prep to Year 5 students will have an exciting opportunity to participate in the 2025 Transition Program on Thursday, 19 December. This important day is designed to help students meet their new teachers and peers for the upcoming school year, giving them a chance to familiarise themselves with their new surroundings in a relaxed and supportive environment.

During the transition session, students will spend time in their future classrooms, engage in fun and interactive activities, and begin building relationships with their 2025 classmates. This day is all about helping students feel confident and comfortable as they move to the next stage of their education. We encourage parents to talk with their children about the day, reinforcing the excitement and positivity around meeting new friends and teachers.

We look forward to seeing our students flourish in this supportive, preparatory experience as they embark on the next chapter of their learning journey in 2025!

World Teachers’ Day - Friday, 24 October

On Friday, 24 October, we celebrated World Teachers’ Day, a wonderful opportunity to honour and recognise our incredible teachers for the outstanding educators they are. We are incredibly proud of our teachers and grateful for all they do for our students each and every day!

We celebrated with a morning tea and special acknowledgment gift, joining together as a school community to honour our teachers. On behalf of our students, staff, and families, we say a huge THANK YOU TO OUR TEACHERS!

2025 Curriculum Days Approved by School Council. 

Please note our 2025 Curriculum days, which are student free days.

Curriculum days are days set aside by our school for teachers and staff to engage in various activities related to curriculum planning, development, and improvement. These days are designated as non-instructional days for students, meaning that students do not attend school on these days.

In 2025, our school has the following allocated curriculum days and important dates, which have been approved by our School Council:

• Tuesday 28 January Curriculum Day. No students at school.
• Wednesday 29 January Curriculum Day. No students at school.
• Thursday 30 January Years 1-9 begin school . 
• Friday 1 February Year Prep begin school . 
• Friday 1 August Curriculum Day  No students at school.
• Monday 3 November Reporting Curriculum Day.  No students at school.
• Thursday 18 December – Last day of school for students . 
• Friday 19 December - Last day of 2025 year for staff. No students at school.

Please mark these days in your 2025 diary.

Term 4

Term Four is an 11 week term, which started on Monday 7 October and will conclude on Thursday 19 December 19th, 2024. We wish all our families all the best for the remainder of this term.

Thank you, 

On behalf of the Leadership team.