From the Principal

This week at POPS has been both busy and exciting.

On Monday, our senior Writer’s Workshop was held, with author Anna Zobel helping students work through the writing process and develop their ideas. It was great to see their creativity and confidence. Some Year 3/4 students will join the next session next week.

Our Year 3/4 students represented POPS with pride at Hooptime, showing strong teamwork and sportsmanship. Thank you to Mrs Carbone for organising the day, and to Ms Owen, Mrs Quah, Miss Chen, and Mr Moore for supporting our students.

The POPS Disco on Wednesday night was a real highlight. Students had a great time with music, dancing, and friends. Thank you to the PA, Mrs Cornwell, Mrs Sprague, Mrs Apostolopoulos, Mrs Murray, and all the parents and staff who helped out.

Our Foundation students had a special visit from Ambulance Victoria. Paramedics Jessica and Alex taught them about emergency services and how to stay calm in an emergency. Getting to see inside the ambulance and watch a “special patient” being transported made the day even more memorable.

Poppy Bear Jnr

This week, we were excited to introduce Poppy Bear Jnr, our new POPS mascot. Poppy Bear, who has been with us for many years, has now handed over the role. Poppy Bear Jnr will help promote our school values, support our expectations, and guide students in building respectful relationships.

Because of the generous fundraising by our Parents’ Association, every classroom now has its own Poppy Bear Jnr. Each one can be cared for and used as a positive role model in the class. We sincerely thank the PA and the whole POPS community for making this possible.

Later this year, Poppy Bear will travel with our group to China to meet the students of Jinling Primary School and help strengthen our Sister-School connection.

Australian Flag Roadshow visit

Last Friday, our Year 5/6 students joined the Australian Parliament House Flag Roadshow at POPS. The event took place in the gym, and our school captains, Abbie and Harvey, along with vice captains Grace and Jamie, led the event.

We were pleased to welcome the Honourable Milton Dick MP, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Honourable Matt Gregg MP, Member for Deakin. They talked with students about the history and meaning of the Australian National Flag and how it fits into Australia’s democracy.

One of the highlights was seeing the full-size flag from Parliament House being unfurled and folded. The flag is 12.8 metres long, 6.4 metres high, and weighs 22 kilograms.

We were grateful to have the Flag Roadshow visit POPS. It was a great learning experience for our senior students as they keep exploring civics and citizenship.

Parking Changes – Bowmore Avenue

A reminder that Manningham Council has approved the updated parking restrictions in Bowmore Avenue. The former 1/4P spaces will become ‘Kiss & Go’ zones from Term 4, with parents required to stay in their car and limit stopping to 2 minutes. New signage will be installed during the September holidays.

Student Achievements

Please continue to share student achievements big or small for the whole school community and acknowledge.

A reminder that tomorrow is Footy Colours Day. Students are encouraged to wear their team colours. It’s also a Walk to School day, and our Footy Colours Parade will be held at 3pm in the Gym.

Bronwyn Garrity

Principal

FROM THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

Visit the Assistant Principal page to read about RU OK? Day: Supporting Our Children

FROM THE CLASSROOM

Visit the From the Classroom page to see what the Year 4 students experiences at Sovereign Hill Camp.

KEY DATES 

Term 3, Week 10 2026

Mon 14 Sept- AOM Assembly| 9 am, Cupcake stall |3:30 pm

Tues 15 Sept- School Council Mtg| 7pm

Wed 16 Sept- F- 2 Camp Day

Wed 16- Fri 18 Sept- Yr 3 Candlebark Farm Camp

Fri 18 Sept- Last day of School- Dismissal is at 2:30pm- NO ASSEMBLY due to AOM on Monday

Term 4, Week 1 2026

Mon Oct 5- Term 4 begins

Fri Oct 9- Pathways to POPS- Session 1