Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome to the new school year. We have had a wonderful start with students settling in quickly and positively. After completing our School Review at the end of last year, we have taken the opportunity to reflect on what is working well and to set a clear and exciting direction for our school, placing high-quality learning and student wellbeing at the centre of everything we do.

My vision as principal is deliberate and ambitious: every child at our school will be known, challenged and supported to achieve their very best – academically, socially and emotionally. When learning is prioritised and wellbeing is strong, students thrive. 2026 is the year to, ‘make every moment count.’

Outstanding learning does not happen by chance. It is built through consistent, evidence-informed teaching, a guaranteed and viable curriculum and high expectations for every student. Our focus includes:

• clear learning intentions and success criteria so students know what they are learning and why
• explicit teaching and structured practice to support deep understanding in calm, orderly classrooms
• using assessment and feedback to respond to individual student needs
• building strong foundations in literacy and numeracy, while fostering curiosity, creativity and critical thinking.

We are committed to continuous improvement, working together as a professional learning community to ensure that teaching and learning is purposeful, engaging and impactful in every classroom. We also know that children learn best when they feel safe, connected and valued. Student wellbeing is not an add-on, it is foundational. Our approach is grounded in strong relationships, clear expectations and a shared commitment to respectful and inclusive behaviour.

Our school will continue to prioritise:

• positive relationships and a strong sense of belonging
• consistent and fair behaviour expectations
• student voice and agency
• support for social, emotional and mental wellbeing.

When students feel secure and supported, they are more confident to take risks in their learning, persevere through challenges and celebrate their growth.

Achieving this vision is a collective effort. Staff, students and families all play a vital role in shaping a school culture where learning matters and wellbeing is protected. Together, we will build a school where:

• Every student is challenged and supported to grow
• Every success is celebrated
• Every child feels they belong.

To further support this work, I draw your attention to my non-negotiables.

Safety for All
Physical violence is not acceptable at our school. We will respond in line with our Behaviour Policy to ensure the safety, wellbeing and rights of all students and staff.

Respect and Inclusion
Unkind, racist, sexist or discriminatory language or behaviour is not acceptable. We will address this immediately and work with students and families to promote respect, inclusion and belonging.

What Families Can Expect

• The school will prioritise the safety, wellbeing and rights of all students.
• Behaviour concerns will be addressed consistently, fairly and respectfully.
• Students will be supported to learn from their behaviour and make positive choices through appropriate supports and consequences.
• Families will be kept informed and engaged as partners in supporting positive outcomes.

What We Ask of Families

• Support the school’s non-negotiables and Behaviour Policy.
• Reinforce respectful behaviour and safety at home.
• Communicate with the school promptly if concerns arise.
• Work collaboratively with staff to support positive learning and wellbeing for all students.
• Support the school in addressing behaviours through appropriate consequences.

At our school, the safety, wellbeing and dignity of every child and adult are our highest priorities. We are committed to a safe and inclusive environment where all students feel respected and supported.

Physical violence and unkind, discriminatory language or behaviour are not acceptable. When concerns arise, we will work with students and families to restore safety, support those affected and help students learn positive ways to resolve conflict and show respect for others.

I am incredibly proud to lead this amazing community and excited about the journey ahead. This is a year of clarity, momentum and purpose and I look forward to working in partnership with you to ensure the very best outcomes for our students.

Together, we will make a difference.

Child Safe Volunteer Induction Training – Parent and Carer Volunteers

We are fortunate to have many parents and carers who generously support our school through a range of volunteering opportunities, including camps, excursions, incursions, our SAKG Garden and Cooking Program and other classroom activities throughout the year.

To ensure we continue to meet our Child Safe Standards, all parent and carer volunteers are required to complete Child Safety Volunteer Training once per year. This training covers all volunteering opportunities for the year, so it only needs to be completed once annually. When attending the training, please bring a copy of your Volunteer, ‘Working With Children Check’ card (WWCC) and we will make a copy at the office. These volunteer checks are free. To obtain a card, please visit: https://www.vic.gov.au/working-with-children-check

Training sessions will be offered each term with our first session being on Friday 6 February at 9.30am (straight after assembly). If you are planning to assist at any point across the year, we encourage you to register for the training session by contacting the school office to book your spot.

Dates for training:

Term 1 – Friday 6 February at 9.30am, Tuesday 17 February at 9am

Term 2 – Friday 1 May at 9.30am (after assembly)

Term 3 – Friday 24 July at 9.30am (after assembly)

Term 4 – Friday 9 October at 9.30am (after assembly)

Thank you for your continued support in helping us provide a safe and enriching environment for all students.

How to Access the School Calendar on Compass

Compass is our main platform for sharing important school dates, events and reminders. The Calendar feature allows families to stay up to date with excursions, events and key school activities. Below are instructions for accessing the Compass calendar on both mobile phones and laptops/computers.

Accessing the Calendar on Your Phone (Compass App)

1. Open the Compass App
   Download the Compass School Manager app from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android), then log in using your Compass username and password.
2. Go to the Calendar icon at the bottom of the screen.
3. Change the view from day to week.

Or

1. Tap the menu icon (☰) in the corner of the screen.
2. Select “Open in Browser”
3. Tap on the Calendar icon to view school events and important dates (all of which are colour coded to help).
4. View Events
   • Scroll through the calendar by day, week or month
   • Tap on an event to see more details, including times and notes.
5. Turn on Notifications (Recommended)
   Ensure notifications are enabled on your phone so you receive reminders and updates about upcoming events.

Accessing the Calendar on a Laptop or Computer

1. Go to the Compass Website
   Open your web browser and go to your school’s Compass login page.
2. Log In
   Enter your Compass username and password.
3. Open the Calendar
   From the home screen, click on the Calendar icon in the menu.
4. View and Navigate
   • Use the month, week or agenda view to see upcoming events
   • Click on any event for more detailed information

If you are unsure how to log in or cannot access Compass, please contact the school office for support.

Congratulations to our 2026 School Captains!