Greetings from Shaun

Term Overviews 

In this issue of the newsletter, you will see that we have added a page for each team devoted to providing you with an overview of the teaching and learning coming up for Term 3. These pages are called "What's happening in..." be sure to click into those pages to see what our students will be learning about. 

If you have any questions about how you can support your children at home, make sure you speak with your child's classroom teacher.

Prep 2024 Enrolments 

An ever so gentle reminder: if you are thinking of enrolling a Prep for 2024, please visit our school website, download and complete an enrolment form and send it in to the office as soon as possible. If you have any questions about enrolments, you can also give Donna a call on (03) 94810009.

School Council 

I am saddened to have to announce that due to personal commitments, our School Council President Steve Horvat unfortunately has had to step down from his role as School Council President and his position on School Council. I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the entire NPS community to thank Steve for his time, commitment, and support to the school and to myself during his time as president. On behalf of the community, I wish him all the best. 

Due to the vacancy, at our last School Council meeting, we elected a new President. I would like to introduce Jo Pitt who has been elected as the new School Council President. As Jo was the current standing Vice President, I would also like to announce that we have just elected Lucy Sinclair to the role of School Council Vice President. 

Please be sure to check the page titled “School Council” to meet Jo and read some other important bits of information and other school council happenings.

Movie Night 

Don't forget that on Tuesday the1st of August at 6pm we are holding our Parent Only Movie Night as a fundraiser for the school. 

Book yourself a babysitter and come along and meet some other parents and see the new Mission Impossible movie. Get in quick as time is running out!

Morning Access to Classrooms

Starting on Monday the 24th of July we will be making a slight change to out morning routine here at Northcote. Our school gates will continue to be unlocked at 8.45am each morning to allow students and families to enter. 

To support our teachers in getting organised for the day, starting on this Monday, classrooms will now be open from 8:50am each day. Students can enter classrooms from this time to get themselves organised and to prepare themselves for the day. Please be sure to have a conversation with your children about the times of things that they can do to set themselves up for success in this time before the music starts playing at 8:57am.

Just a reminder that all external gates (except for the main gate on Helen Street) are locked again at 9:00am when the bell goes. If your child arrives after the bell has gone, please be sure to direct them to the office first to be signed in.

At the end of the school day, the gates are unlocked at 3.20pm and locked by 3.45pm.

Landscaping Works 

Just a quick update to let you know that Bale and I met with the Landscape Architects during the holidays to do a site walk and they have since submitted an initial fee proposal and concept design that I have forwarded this to our case manager at the VSBA. I will let you know more information once I know more. 

Book Week- Save the date. 

Later on in August, we are celebrating Book Week.  This is your advanced warning to start strategising about what costume you would like to wear for our annual Northcote Book Week parade. I have certainly begun to narrow my list down!

Please save the date for the Book Week Parade, which will be taking place on Monday the 21st of August at 9:00am. 

For more information refer to the page labelled "Book Week" in this issue of the newsletter. 

Parent Helpers Induction

Thank you to those parents who attended our Parent Helper Induction session this morning. A great big thank-you to Stephanie and Bale for organising and supporting our volunteers through this session.

If you weren't able to attend and you are still interested in helping out in the classroom, do not despair! Please contact Stephanie or Bale via email to discuss how you can get involved. 

Stephanie Griffiths- Stephanie.Griffiths@education.vic.gov.au 

Bale Micovski- Bale.Micovski@education.vic.gov.au

Parent Teacher Conferences

Thank you to the students, parents and teachers who supported another successful round of parent teacher conferences again this year. These really are a great opportunity to discuss progress, celebrate achievements, identify areas of improvement, and collaborate to create a plan for continued success. Thank-you again to all involved. 

School Production 

Our wonderful music teacher Anita is well into the planning of our bi-annual Whole School Production.  While I speculated last newsletter, I can now confirm, the students have indeed started rehearsing their acts. 

Please make sure you save the date, Thursday the 14th of September. Ticket information will be coming out in the next few weeks. 

Swimming Program

Our 3/4 swimming program finished up today, and while I saw a lot of very tired year threes and fours today, everyone has loved the opportunity to get in the pool and learn or rehearse some very important life skills. Thanks to the army of parent volunteers who have helped make this possible and to Dale and our classroom teachers for their organisation and smooth operation this year. 

If your children are in Year 1/2 then you had best be ready, because the 1/2 swimming program starts on Monday.  Make sure you have bathers and towels ready over the weekend. If you are able to help out on any of the day, please be sure to contact your child's classroom teacher and please refer to Compass for more information. 

Another reminder that the Prep and Year 5/6 swimming program is scheduled to commence in Term 4 and we will communicate further information as those dates get closer. 

Take Care,

Shaun.