What a fantastic day we have had at our annual School Athletics Carnival at the Coburg Athletics Track!

It was wonderful to see students proudly dressed in their house colours, cheering each other on and creating an incredible atmosphere throughout the day. Events like these are a great reminder that while competition is exciting, supporting one another and demonstrating great sportsmanship is what truly makes Newlands so special.

A huge thank you to Raul and our Specialist Team for organising another outstanding event, and to the many parents and carers who volunteered their time and joined us throughout the day. Your support helped make the carnival such a success.

Congratulations also to the students who have been selected to represent Newlands at the District Athletics Carnival. We wish you the very best of luck and know you will represent our school with pride.

Tacos @ Newlands

We're excited to announce that Jimmie has officially started setting up in our school kitchen in preparation for Friday Tacos, which will be available for the remainder of Term 3.

Over the coming week, he'll be putting the finishing touches on everything so we're ready to serve authentic Mexican food to our school community. Next week, we'll share all the details about the menu, pricing and how families can place their orders.

We can't wait for students and staff to enjoy this fantastic new Friday tradition at Newlands!

La Musica Viajera

Thank you to the families who took the time to share their concerns about the original production poster.

We completely agree that while AI can be a valuable tool and save a considerable amount of time, it doesn't always get it right. On this occasion, our review process fell short, and we sincerely apologise. The poster did not reflect the high standards or values we expect at Newlands.

I'd also like to sincerely thank Margaret, who has been working alongside Leyla to create a design that better reflects the creativity, talent and diversity of our school community. Please see our new poster below:

In better news, tickets can be purchased from 12:00 today! Please see the rest of the newsletter for more information.

Recording Meetings

As a reminder, it is not appropriate to record meetings without the knowledge and consent of everyone involved.

Recording conversations without agreement can undermine trust, discourage open and honest discussion, and raise privacy concerns for all participants. At Newlands Primary School, we are committed to maintaining respectful, professional and transparent communication, and we appreciate everyone's support in helping create a safe environment where concerns and ideas can be shared openly.

Foundation Enrolments for 2027

This is a reminder for families with siblings who are starting school in 2027. Today is the last day to submit your enrolment forms. If you have not yet handed in your child's enrolment paperwork, please ensure it is submitted to the school by the end of today.

Foundation

Our Foundation students have been busy preparing for Monday's 100 Days of School celebration by creating their special crowns. I asked a few students what their favourite memory from their first 100 days at Newlands has been.

Wila: "I loved Icy Pole Fridays because they were so tasty and refreshing."
Aja: "I loved the first time I went on the monkey bars and the playground."
Miles: "The first time I went to Before Care and played basketball."
Eleanor: "I love seeing and playing with my friends at Newlands."
Umi: "I love Buddy Days because I get to hang out with Billy."
Zaara: "My favourite thing is playing with Colleen and Laura because they are the best teachers."
Mila: "I love playing with my buddy Autumn outside in the playground."
Remi: "I loved when we went on the Rock the Spectrum excursion. It was so fun."
Oliver: "I just love recess and playing with all my friends."

Year 1/2

Our Year 1/2 students had the time of their lives celebrating World Dance Day, enjoying an incredible variety of music and dance styles. The team from Supreme once again delivered an amazing experience for our students. There will be plenty more photos and information in next week's newsletter!

Year 3/4

One of the highlights of my week was sitting in on a Philosophy session led by Nerida. I walked in just as Ange was facilitating a discussion about the importance of reciprocity in building successful relationships. The lesson explored the Five Relationships of Confucianism, and it was incredible to hear students discussing the ingredients needed for social harmony.

I didn't want to interrupt the conversations because the thinking and reflections being shared were outstanding. Listening to students articulate what they value most in relationships with parents, friends and family was a wonderful reminder of just how thoughtful and insightful our students are.

Year 5/6

Our School Leaders were outstanding, going above and beyond to ensure every prospective family experienced what makes Newlands such a special place. From confidently leading tours to answering questions and sharing their own experiences, they were exceptional ambassadors for our school. Their pride, enthusiasm and leadership shone through, and they did an incredible job showcasing everything that makes Newlands a great place to learn and belong.

Our Grade 5 students had an incredible opportunity today to participate in a Yarning Conference Workshop with Uncle Nick and Aunty Sarah.

It was fantastic to see our students so engaged, asking thoughtful questions about storytelling, the significance of the Truth-Telling Stick, and learning about Country through stories and traditional artefacts used for cultivating the land, hunting and entertainment.

We're also incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to send 25 of our Grade 5 students to the upcoming Yarning Conference. We know they will represent Newlands with curiosity, respect and pride.

Looking Ahead…

Grade 5/6 Snow Camp

Our Grade 5/6 students head off on Monday to hit the slopes! We know they're going to have an amazing time.

For our Grade 6 students, this will be their final primary school camp, and I know our staff have worked incredibly hard to create an experience they'll remember for years to come. Have an incredible week and stay warm!

Foundation 100 Days of School

Monday is finally here!

The students have been counting the days (literally!) and we're looking forward to celebrating 100 wonderful days of learning. Get ready for Werther's Originals, liquorice allsorts, rocking chairs and plenty of laughs as our Foundation students transform into 100-year-olds for the day.

We can't wait to see everyone in the gym for our parade at 9:15am. Hopefully our "senior citizens" don't throw their backs out getting out of bed!

Have a wonderful weekend.

Thanks,

Luke

Newlands in a Nutshell