PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Wow, this term is certainly flying by! It’s hard to believe we’re already nearing the end of Week 7. Staff are currently hard at work writing Semester 2 reports, and planning for our 2026 grades is well underway. While our staffing for 2026 is still being finalised, there is plenty happening across the school as we head toward the end of the year.

VSBA TOILET UPGRADE:

You may have noticed some changes around the school recently, with temporary fencing now in place near the Barry Street entrance. We’re excited to share that the VSBA Toilet Upgrade has officially begun! While there will be some short-term inconveniences, the long-term benefits for our students will be well worth it.

Please note that there is currently no access via Barry Street or through to the Blue Area Level 2 gates. Students who use the bike shed will need to follow the path toward the P–2 playground and enter the school alongside the sandpit. Level 2 students will access their classrooms via the main corridors. 

Thank you for your patience and understanding as this important upgrade gets underway.

SOCIAL MEDIA AGE RESTRICTIONS:

From 10 December 2025, new social media age restrictions will come into effect across Australia. Under the new legislation, major social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Reddit, Kick and Threads will be required to prevent children under 16 from creating or maintaining accounts.

What does this mean for families?     The responsibility largely sits with the platforms themselves, not with children or parents. However, this presents a great opportunity to engage in conversation with children around 'why' this is happening and the importance of online safety.

Important Information:  Messaging apps like WhatsApp and Messenger, as well as education and health services, are expected to be exempt from the restrictions. Each Platform will determine its own age verification methods, which may include facial analysis, behavioural data, or secure ID checks designed to protect privacy.

Our Commitment to you:  We understand that this change will bring both challenges and questions for families. As a school, we are committed to supporting the implementation of these laws, while also supporting our community through this transition. We recognise that social media has been part of many young people’s daily lives, and change can be difficult.

We encourage families to have open communications with their children about the changes, explore alternative ways to stay connected with friends, and reach out to us if you have any concerns.

For more information, visit the eSafety Commissioner’s website: www.esafety.gov.au

2026 SCHOOL CAPTAIN SPEECHES:

Today, our Grade 5 students proudly delivered their School Captain speeches, and it was truly a highlight of the week. They spoke with confidence, passion and genuine courage as they addressed their peers. Each candidate offered a thoughtful reflection on the responsibilities of leadership, our school values, and the importance of kindness. We wish all candidates the very best as votes are counted. Although only four students will be selected as School Captains for 2026, based on the quality of the speeches, I’m confident our school will be in very good hands next year. Stay tuned… School Leaders will be announced next week at our whole school assembly.

BEAUTIFUL BUSES: You may have noticed some fantastic advertising on the Newtons town buses recently! Jackson and Banjo look absolutely amazing and are doing a wonderful job helping to welcome new enrolments into our school. Keep an eye out - you might just see their smiling faces on your travels! A big thank you to Newton's Bus Services for such fabulous advertising!