Principals Report 

Welcome back to school for the 2023 academic year. I hope everyone had a happy and safe Christmas and New Year period. We have been delighted with how our students have returned to school and particularly with the smooth start for all 101 of our new Prep students, who enjoyed their first ever day at school yesterday. I hope their parents and carers enjoyed this special day too; I know from speaking to many of them at pick-up, drop-off and at the ‘Boo-hoo, Woo-hoo’ event during the day, that this certainly was the case! A special thanks to Sophie Templeton and the PFA for their organisation and support of this wonderful annual event. 

Our staff professional learning days, prior to our students returning, were integral in supporting a positive start to school for our students. Our focus begun on our new school vision; “Proud to be at Port. Excellence. Collaboration. Community.” We believe this encapsulates what is most important to our students, staff and families and will drive our continued priorities to maximise student learning outcomes, student engagement and wellbeing. Our staff presented best practice approaches to literacy, numeracy and student wellbeing, as well as updating First Aid and CPR practices via the team at CPR First Aid. 

Our school grounds are looking inviting and exciting for our students, with new playground equipment delivered over the holidays, as well as the re-surfacing of the outdoor basketball court. Works will soon begin on the ‘mini-oval’, to be constructed between the gym and the administration building. This will be accompanied by four-square courts, some additional garden planting and a ‘sensory space’ on the Clark Street side of the field.

Our gardens, cared for so beautifully by Anthony, Melinda and our amazing group of volunteers, have sprung to life. We are particularly delighted to see the indigenous plants in front of the administration building flourishing, as well as the vegetable patch thriving near the entrance. 

Another brilliant group of volunteers, our traffic safety working group, have been visible in supporting the new ‘Kiss ‘n Go’ area at the Poolman Street end of Clark Street. Thank you again to this wonderful group and the work they are doing to support the improved safety around our local roads. 

Schools thrive with your involvement. Across this year, please take every chance that you can to engage in the learning and wellbeing of our community. We’re Proud to be at Port and we’re looking forward to a wonderful year with a focus on Excellence, Collaboration and Community.

Rohan