Principal's Report 

I welcome everyone back to Term 3 including new families and staff to CPS.   I hope everyone has enjoyed the school holidays.

Today is Principal’s Day! 

Today, Friday August 1, 2025, is a day to recognize and appreciate the vital role principals play in our schools. It's a day to acknowledge their leadership, dedication, and hard work in ensuring the best possible learning environment for students. 

On behalf of Mr Carroll, Ms Allen, Mr Talbot and myself we would like to give a BIG Thank You to Mr Stanisic, staff and students for their kind words, gratitude and acknowledgement throughout the day. We very much enjoyed our special morning tea and recorded messages from the students and feel blessed to be part of CPS supportive and caring community.

We have many planned events for the term ahead some of these include National Science Week, Book Week, Curriculum Day (15th August), Swimming Program (Yr 3 & Foundation), Father’s Day Stall (4th & 5th September) Father’s Card Making (3rd September), Foundation students celebration of 100 days of school (25th July), Performing Arts Incursion F – 6, Year 5 Botanical Gardens, District Athletics (20th August), Market Night (18th September).

We look forward to these events, along with many others, sharing our experiences with the school community through our assemblies, newsletters and our school website. 

I know this was celebrated over the term break, but it needs to be in our minds always. Supporting NAIDOC is an opportunity to celebrate and recognize the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Engaging in events and activities, learning about Indigenous heritage, and promoting awareness within our communities are vital steps in supporting our First Nations people.

NAIDOC Week holds great significance in our nation's history and culture. It is a time when we come together as a school community to honour and celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

This year’s National NAIDOC Week marks 50 years of the week-long celebrations, and the theme, The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy, celebrates achievements of the past and the bright future ahead.

Aunty (Professor) Lynette Riley:

“Over the decades, NAIDOC Week has grown into a powerful national celebration that continues to honour and elevate Indigenous voices, culture and resilience 50 years on.

“Guided by the wisdom of our Elders and the groundwork laid by our forebears, each NAIDOC Week reinforces our vision for an Australia where Indigenous voices are not only heard but lead the way.

“As we celebrate this milestone, we look toward the next 50 years of NAIDOC Week celebrations, with excitement and confidence, while ensuring that NAIDOC remains a movement grounded in community-led vision and integrity.”

NAPLAN

The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority has now published the statewide NAPLAN data results – and Victorian schools have achieved outstanding results. Please read on in the newsletter to see the infographic.

Our staff and School Council will review our school NAPLAN results in the coming weeks. Following this we will share our results with our community. 

Uniform 

The weather is certainly chilly outside at the moment and students are reminded to dress appropriately in our school’s winter uniform to combat the cold conditions. Our classrooms are lovely and warm, so there is no need for additional layers of clothing when inside, but students are encouraged to wear a jacket or beanie during lunch or recess breaks. 

Please remember that black pants or coloured tops are not part of our school uniform policy. Navy pants do not have to be purchased through the school’s uniform supplier PSW, but can also be purchased inexpensively at Big W or Target. 

If a student is not in full school uniform, they are required to bring a note to school explaining the reason. It is expected that they will be in full uniform the next day. We are working extremely hard to build school pride and connectedness, and proudly wearing our school uniform is part of this.

Mobile Phones

A reminder that the Department of Education has in place a mobile phone ban that requires students who bring mobiles phones to school to have them switched off and securely put away during school hours. 

At Craigieburn Primary School this requires students to hand their mobile phone at the beginning of the school day to their classroom teacher to be stored away safely.  

Mobile phones can be collected at the end of the school day. All internet enabled devices, including smart watches must be deactivated during school hours or handed to the classroom teacher. 

The department is requiring all schools to ensure this ban is in place and enforced from the start of the 2025 school year. The ban applies equally to all government schools right across the state. This helps ensure that school is a learning environment free from unnecessary distractions and disruptions. 

We are noticing many students with phones viewing their devices when on school grounds before and after school. Students are reminder to place devices securely away in their school bags. We ask for the support of all our families, staff and students in continuing to support the implementation of this policy in our school. Students who repeatedly have their phones out will need to hand their phone to the office and parent will be contacted to collect. 

Student Birthdays SHARING OF FOOD / ALLERGIES 

Student’s celebrating their special day with their teacher and peers at school is a wonderful time and way to spend their special day. 

Student celebrating their birthday enjoy sharing the joy of this special day by giving out small gift to their peers. We ask that the gifts (lolly bags) do not contain any food items instead you like to include a small toy, party decoration, fidget toy etc..

A number of students at our school have allergies to a variety of foods which could cause severe reactions. All staff have been trained to observe the signs of food allergies and the steps to take in case someone has a reaction. 

The school has put in place Action Plans for all children with severe allergies to ensure they are safe at school. In most cases the children with allergies are acutely aware of what they are able to eat or not eat but sometimes products have hidden ingredients which could cause a reaction.

To limit the risk of children eating something that may cause them to have a reaction, we have a No Sharing Food Policy.  This means students at CPS are not allowed to share or swap foods with others during school hours. Our staff will not accept gift bags with food items, homemade cupcakes for students’ birthdays etc...

Thank you for your support and understanding and keeping all our students safe.