Welcome Back to 2025!

Watch my video update

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Welcome back to a new school year! I hope you and your family had a fantastic summer, full of rest and quality time. For me, the break was a great mix of beach days on the Mornington Peninsula with my kids, tackling overdue backyard projects, and plenty of time in nature—mostly on a bike.

It’s been fantastic to see students return with such enthusiasm. The energy across the school is great, and I’m looking forward to what’s shaping up to be another incredible year at Port Melbourne Primary.

In Our Classrooms

The year has started on a really positive note. Many staff and families have commented on how calm and settled students seem—and that’s no accident. Our teachers have worked hard to create welcoming, structured classrooms where students feel confident and ready to learn.

This year, we’re rolling out a more evidence-based teaching and learning model after successful trials in 2024. It’s not just a new approach—it’s about making sure every student benefits from the best, research-backed strategies. Thanks to extensive professional learning, refreshed classroom spaces, and new resources, students are already thriving under these changes.

Key elements of our approach include:

• Explicit Direct Instruction (EDI): Breaking learning into clear, structured steps so every student can follow and succeed.
• Active Participation Strategies: No more passive learning—students stay engaged through choral responses, whiteboard work, and regular practice.
• Retrieval Practice: Reinforcing key ideas over time to ensure learning sticks.

The benefits go beyond academics. We’re seeing increased focus, greater engagement, and smoother classroom routines. Walking through classrooms in these first few weeks, it’s been great to see both staff and students embracing these changes with enthusiasm.

In Our Staffroom

I want to take a moment to introduce (or reintroduce) some of the fantastic people leading our school and driving these improvements:

• Kim Nickels, Assistant Principal (Wellbeing, Inclusion & Engagement) – Kim leads our inclusion programs, making sure every child feels supported and set up for success in the classroom.
• Katie Klajnblat, Assistant Principal (Teaching & Learning) – Katie is at the forefront of our instructional transformation, ensuring our teaching is as impactful as possible.

You can learn more about Kim and Katie’s work on our website.

Alongside them, our new Learning Specialists play a key role in supporting teachers and embedding these improvements in classrooms:

• Jo Capp and Paisley Blank are leading professional learning, coaching staff, and ensuring every classroom benefits from our refined approach. Whether in team meetings, lesson planning, or hands-on support, they’re helping take our teaching and learning to the next level.

In Our Community

Our Parents and Friends Association (PFA) has already hit the ground running. The Week 1 Boo Hoo Woo Hoo event for our Prep families was a fantastic way to welcome our newest families. I loved catching up with both new and familiar faces—it’s always a great way to start the year. You can see photos from the even on our Instagram.

Looking ahead, we have some exciting events on the horizon, including our Colour Run and the famous Mother’s Day Lunch. These events don’t just raise funds—they help build the strong, connected community we’re so proud of. A huge thank you to Kate Esam and the PFA team for their energy and commitment. If you’d like to get involved, they’d love your support—whether it’s a little or a lot, every helping hand makes a difference.

It’s also that time of year when School Council elections take place. Stay tuned for further correspondence about the call for nominations at the end of this week.

As we settle into the rhythm of the new school year, I’m looking forward to seeing all the growth, learning, and fun ahead.

Warm regards,