Term One - That's a wrap!

This week brings to a close a term in which much has been achieved while also presenting challenges. Without exception, it’s been a full term, with NAPLAN assessments conducted for the first time in March rather than May. We expect student reports in late-term two for the families of year three and year five students. 

Our Grade 1 students also completed the mandatory English Online Interview assessments for the first time. This will provide additional important information on individual student achievement and improve our focus on literacy outcomes for our Foundation and Year Two students.

We implemented our approach to student wellbeing by engaging Thao, a child psychologist, and Raquel, our wellness therapist. They have already positively affected the school, students, teachers, and parents. We look forward to supporting more students and families in the coming terms. We implemented the new Victorian Government Schools Agreement providing additional planning time for teachers to do the essential work of lesson planning, assessing student achievement, and providing feedback on student work.

We can now see our new school structure rising and expanding across the school grounds. I can report that the construction works are on time, and when we return in term two, we will see the rooves and walls taking shape.

This term, our Spanish team has been officially led by Luisa as the coordinator and, more importantly, the curriculum leader of Spanish. Luisa works alongside Jess and Graeme, providing support and leadership for Spanish and English. As an outcome of our growing community interest in Spanish, we will provide Spanish language lessons to parents next term.

Isabelle & Paula 

We want to congratulate and celebrate Isabelle & Paula, new family additions. Isabelle and her partner are the proud parents of Ella. Paula and her partner welcomed baby Noah into their family. We look forward to their visit next term.

Luke – Acting Principal

Just a reminder to the community that for terms two and three, Luke will be the acting principal. His role will change from his current position to meet several exciting challenges and guide the new school’s development. I know that Luke will enjoy the opportunity to broaden his skill set as the acting principal, and I’m confident he will positively support the school community, staff, and students.

Moira Peddie

We want to welcome Moira to our staff as Angelene’s replacement starting term two. Moira has been working in the 2/3 area and other areas of the school this term. Moira will be a great asset to the school, and we look forward to joining the Newlands team.

Performing Arts

Starting term two, unfortunately, we will not provide a teacher for the Performing Arts program. During term one, we advertised for a teacher to fill this position; however, no suitable applicants could be found. Like many schools, we need a teacher to provide this program with some form of performing arts experience. As an alternative option Joel, our current music teacher, has agreed to provide a modified performing arts/music program for the remainder of the year. We, as a school, thank him for volunteering to fill this shared role and provide the students with a broader music program to support performing arts.

I trust you will enjoy the term break holiday, and thank you for supporting the teachers this term, and I'll see you all in term four.

Thank you

Ross Dudgeon

Principal