Principal's Report 

 Dear Parents, 

Welcome to the 2025 school year and wishing you all a very happy 2025 overall. Hopefully everyone had a refreshing and enjoyable time over the holiday period. A special welcome to all of our new families and staff for this year. We are sure you will find Mackellar Primary School a very happy, supportive and caring environment for everyone. 

Tomorrow we welcome 50 new preps to school for their first day of the year, having spent the last few school days completing prep entry assessments. I have no doubt that whilst there will be some nerves from parents and students alike, tomorrow and each day thereafter will be a wonderful experience for them. 

As is normally the case for the first newsletter of the year, we do need to start with some reminders for the safety and support of our students. 

Firstly, and today's heat emphasises this point, school hats are compulsory for all students in terms one and four.  These need to be black, broad brimmed school hats to ensure we meet uniform and sun smart requirements. 

In the mornings, please do not send your children to school too early.  Students should not arrive in the morning until the yard is supervised which begins at 8:45am. Prior to this time there are no staff supervising. We also ask that parents and students wait outside until the bell sounds rather than in the hallways to ensure they are kept clear and students remain  where supervision occurs. 

Our school crossings are staffed each day before and after school. Please remind your children, and we will do the same, to use the crossings whenever they cross the roads. If parents are collecting their children, please do stand on the opposite side of the road and call them over, or to your car. Young children need to be supervised crossing the road by an adult.

That extra few seconds may be a little inconvenient but if it saves a life, it is time well spent. 

Finally, a reminder that you can most certainly discuss issues with your child's teacher as your first port of call.  However, it is suggested you make a time where all parties can meet and chat rather than on the fly or close to 9am as this can be difficult for teachers to manage at that time. 

Whilst we have just started school, it is worth putting into your diary that we have a pupil free day the day after Labour Day giving students a four day weekend halfway through the term. Students will not be required at school on Monday March 10th for Labour Day, or Tuesday March 11th. TheirCare will be available on Tuesday the 11th for families. 

Kind Regards, 

Simon McGlade

Principal