Greetings from Shaun
Staffing Updates
Farewells
We are farewelling two members of staff this year and I want to thank each of them for the role they have played in our school community.
Emma will be returning to Toorak Primary School. We thank her for the dedication and care she has brought to her work at Northcote Primary School. We wish her all the very best as she reconnects with her former school community.
Bale will be moving closer to home next year and will take up a role at Donnybrook Primary School. We wish him well as he takes this next opportunity. We thank him for his three years at Northcote Primary School and the work he has undertaken during that time.
Welcomes
I am very pleased to welcome two new staff members to our team, Nessa and Lucinda. They are both eager to join the community, and I know they will be great additions to our school.
My name is Nessa and I am very excited to be teaching at this wonderful school next year. A few things about myself are that I am a lover of nature and animals (so I am very excited to be commencing along with the new chooks next year!) I love playing tennis and doing yoga. In my down time I love to spend time with my family, friends and my 2 dogs. I also enjoy learning new creative activities. I love travel and have been very fortunate to see many places, and I value learning from different people and cultures. I’m very excited to have my very own class at Northcote next year and getting to know you all even more. I feel very grateful to be welcomed into such a great community here at Northcote Primary!
My name is Lucinda, and I’m very excited to join Northcote Primary School next year. I’m a graduate teacher with a Master of Teaching, and I’m looking forward to having my very own class with the amazing kids at Northcote Primary School.
A little bit about me: I love jigsaw puzzles and will start every morning by doing the Wordle. I also enjoy reading mystery novels, baking cookies, and making things with my hands - I enjoy anything from sewing to 3D printing, and even dabble in woodwork. At home, I have a black cat who gets up to a LOT of mischief and keeps me on my toes!
I can’t wait to meet everyone and become a part of the Northcote Primary School community. Feel free to say hello if you see me around!
Congratulations
I would also like to congratulate Rebecca (Bec) Garrow , who will be stepping into the Assistant Principal role starting next year. Bec will continue to lead whole school Teaching and Learning and will carry on the outstanding work she does in supporting both students and teachers in this space.
I would also like to acknowledge Natalie Dean, our current Learning Specialist, who will be taking on the Wellbeing and Engagement portfolio from next year. Natalie will bring her deep knowledge and thoughtful approach to this area, and I know she will make a significant contribution in this space.
How to support your child under 16 with the new social media age restrictions
From the 10th of December 2025, the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024 will require social media companies to prevent children under 16 from having an account. Platforms will also need to deactivate or freeze any existing accounts held by users under 16.
These changes are designed to support young people’s health and wellbeing by delaying their exposure to social media and giving them more time to develop real world connections and digital literacy skills. The responsibility for enforcing these rules sits with the social media platforms, not with parents, carers, children or schools.
Most major platforms will be affected, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), Reddit and YouTube. Messaging services, online games and platforms used for health and education will still be available.
How to help young people prepare
Parents and carers play an important role in helping their children stay safe online. The eSafety website has clear information about the new age restrictions along with guidance on how to talk with young people about the changes. It’s a useful place to start if you’re supporting someone under 16.
What this means for our school
At our school, most age restricted social media platforms are already blocked on the student network. Students can access YouTube in a logged-out state, although access is filtered to prevent mature content.
For more information about the new minimum age requirements, visit the eSafety website and consider subscribing to their newsletter to stay informed.
Preps visit ACMI
The Preps headed off on a big adventure to ACMI recently, and it was a wonderful success. They had a fantastic time exploring the galleries, engaging with the hands-on exhibits and discovering how stories come to life through film and digital media. It was a day filled with excitement, curiosity and plenty of smiles.
Changes to BYOD from 2027
The Department of Education has announced that from 2027, schools will no longer be able to invite parents to purchase their own BYOD device. The announcement also included new expectations for screen time and device use.
In response, we have made the decision to move towards school supplied devices from 2026. Families who have already purchased a device in previous years, will still be able to use it at school in the same way they have previously.
I want to acknowledge and thank our current Year 2 families, who have absorbed much of the uncertainty caused by this announcement and have been patient and understanding as we work through the implications. Your support has made a big difference.
We are also beginning to review how we use devices across the school and how we can start to reduce screen time as early as next year. By the time the new requirements come into effect in 2027, we want to be clear about what genuinely needs to be done on a device and what can continue to be done with good old pen and paper.
As these changes roll out, we will also be reviewing the number of devices available from Prep through to Year 6, which may lead to adjustments to our current ratios.
We will keep families updated as planning for 2026 and beyond continues.
Semester Reports
Student reports will be available to families on Wednesday the 17th of December.
Reports will be accessible through Compass, and I encourage you to take some time to read through your child’s progress and celebrate their achievements from the year.
If you have any questions after viewing the report, please feel free to contact your child’s teacher.
End of Year Picnic
Our End of Year Family Picnic is fast approaching on Monday the 8th of December.
Our Community Sub Committee has partnered with Classroom Cuisine, who will be offering pre ordered food options for the evening. This is a great help for busy families and makes the night even easier to enjoy.
One dollar from every order will be donated to Northcote Primary School.
Extended Holidays and Student Movements
As we continue planning for 2026, we’re asking families to please keep us informed about any upcoming changes or extended time away. If you’re planning an extended family holiday during the school year, please let the office know so we can plan ahead and support your child’s learning while they’re away.
Likewise, if you know that your child will be leaving Northcote Primary School at the end of this year, and they're not in Grade 6, we’d appreciate hearing from you as soon as possible. Early notice helps us with class placements, forward planning, and ensuring we adjust friendship connections for the year ahead.
Prep 2026 Transition
This term marks the official start of our Prep 2026 Transition Program. Our third session took place on Tuesday and it was a roaring success. It was wonderful to see so many of our new students and families joining us.
Our final Prep transition session will be held on Tuesday the 3rd of December.
The session will run from 9:15am to 10:15am in the Prep classrooms.
Crocs on the Loose!
They’ve been spotted in classrooms, on the playground, and even sneaking into PE with Dale. Crocs are everywhere! These easy to slip on shoes have become a favourite among many of our students, and while they might be comfortable and quick to switch into “sports mode”, they’ve also caused quite a few slips, trips and tumbles around the school lately.
Much like their namesake, Crocs can be unpredictable. We’ve noticed an increase in minor injuries caused by students wearing them to school. While they’re perfect for home or casual wear, they’re not the best choice for climbing, running or any sudden bursts of playground energy.
While no changes will take place this year, we are just giving early warning that from 2026 our updated dress code policy will no longer include Crocs as acceptable school footwear. In the meantime, we ask families to remind children to wear closed toed shoes each day, something sturdy enough to keep up with all the fun and adventure that happens at school.
Take care,
Shaun