Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Welcome back to Term 4! I hope you and your families had a restful and enjoyable break. This is an exciting and busy term as we finish the year strong and prepare for the year ahead.
SunSmart Policy – Hats Are Essential
As the warmer months approach, I’d like to remind everyone of the importance of our SunSmart policy. It is essential that all students wear hats that protect their face, back of the neck, and ears when outside. Starting next week, students who do not have a hat will need to spend break times sitting in the gym. Please ensure your child brings a hat to school every day so they can continue to enjoy outdoor activities safely.
2025 Enrolments and Changes to Programs
Next year, we will see a reduction in student enrolments as our Prep cohorts become smaller. This is primarily due to the opening of several new schools within our historic zone, and with another school opening in Fishermen’s Bend in 2026, this trend is likely to continue. While a smaller school brings some benefits, such as reduced crowding in the yard and surrounding streets, it also impacts our revenue, which is directly linked to student enrolments.
To maintain financial viability, we will be streamlining some of our programs in 2025. One of the key changes is that we will not be continuing with our Masterclass program. While it’s disappointing to see this come to an end after just a year, the program has been a fantastic way to pilot and refine many of the teaching practices we are now expanding across the school. The great work that Ms. Jo and Ms. Lindsay started through Masterclass will continue to influence our teaching and learning strategies next year, even though the formal program will no longer be in place.
We’ve also made some adjustments to our school timetable. Starting in 2025, we will move from the current 6 x 50-minute sessions to 5 x 60-minute sessions each day. This change will create a more streamlined schedule, with classes and break times starting and finishing on the hour or half-hour, making the school day smoother for everyone. The start and finish times for the school day will remain unchanged for students.
Staffing Changes for 2025
As part of reducing costs, these changes unfortunately mean we will not be able to renew employment for teaching staff on fixed-term contracts. These have been difficult decisions, and it will mean saying farewell to several talented and dedicated staff members at the end of the year. I will provide more information on specific departures as we get closer to the end of the term. While this is never easy, we are grateful for the contributions each of these staff members has made to our school community.
Thank you all for your understanding and support as we navigate these changes together. I look forward to a productive and positive Term 4!
Warm regards,
