From the Principal
July, 23 2026
CURRICULUM DAY
On Monday, staff took part in a Curriculum Day dedicated to strengthening literacy teaching across the school. The day was facilitated by literacy expert Phillip Coloaca and focused on the Science of Learning and the Science of Teaching Reading, giving staff the opportunity to deepen their understanding of how current research can inform effective classroom practice.
The Science of Learning looks at what research tells us about how children learn most effectively. It shows that students learn best when teaching is clear and explicit, new learning builds on what they already know, and they have regular opportunities to practise and revisit their learning. The Science of Reading brings together the research on how children learn to read, highlighting the importance of teaching skills such as phonics, vocabulary, fluency and reading comprehension in a structured way.
Throughout the day, teachers explored practical, evidence-based strategies to support students' reading development, with a particular focus on helping students not only read the words on the page but also understand, think about and enjoy what they are reading.
We are committed to ongoing professional learning so that our teachers continue to use the most effective, research-informed teaching practices. This ensures every student receives high-quality literacy instruction and is supported to become a confident and successful reader.
100 DAYS OF LEARNING
Today our Foundation students celebrated a very special milestone: 100 Days of School! Reaching 100 days of learning is an exciting achievement and a wonderful opportunity to reflect on how much our youngest students have grown since starting school.
The day was filled with fun, hands-on activities centred around the number 100. Students enjoyed counting, creating, building and exploring through a variety of engaging learning experiences, while proudly celebrating everything they have accomplished over their first 100 days at school.
Congratulations to all of our Foundation students on this fantastic milestone. We are so proud of the confidence, resilience and enthusiasm they have shown throughout the year and look forward to seeing their learning continue to flourish.
CHESS TOURNAMENT
Today, Park Orchards Primary School proudly hosted our Interschool Chess Tournament, welcoming over 10 schools and 60 students competing for a place at the State Qualifiers. Played across 7 ability-based rounds in an official setting complete with chess clocks and arbiters, the tournament gave our students the chance to test their skills in a competitive setting against students from different schools.
All our students had a wonderful experience, and we are pleased to announce that Park Orchards finished FIRST. We are so proud of every student who represented our school today.
A big thank you to Northern Star Chess for facilitating such a fantastic, well-run tournament!
Visit the Assistant Principal page to read about the When Home Is Where the Big Feelings Come Out
Please visit the From the Classroom page to read more about the 1/2 excursio to Bundoora Heritage Park.
FOUNDATION 2027 ENROLMENT
We are beginning to receive many enrolment applications for 2027, and interest in our school continues to grow. If your child is starting Foundation (Prep) in 2027, could you please submit your online enrolment application by Friday 31 July 2026.
KEY DATES
Term 3 Week 3 2026
Mon Jul 27- Yr 3 AOM
Tues Jul 28- Senior Hooptime
Wed Jul 29- House Athletics