Week 10, Term 4

RETURN SCHOOL LIBRARY BOOKS 

Library stocktake is under way. 

There are still several students that have library books on loan, please return these as soon as possible.

Thank you,
Angela

Wow, what a packed week full of fun and celebrations in the Prep rooms! We’ve been busy completing Christmas activities, which we showcased at the Christmas Expo. We loved visiting the classrooms to see the creative Christmas activities in each room, especially the amazing gingerbread creations in the Grades 3–6 rooms. It was wonderful to share our own creations with family and friends in our room.

On Tuesday, we participated in a step-up session where we met our 2026 teacher and classmates. There was so much excitement about this new chapter for next year! Students also brought home their learning journals, showcasing their incredible growth and achievements this year. We hope you enjoy sharing these special books together and it is a lovely keepsake of your child’s first year of school.  

Next week, our final week of school, will be just as busy! Please check emails and the newsletter for more details about these events:

• Monday - Wednesday: Swimming lessons (depart school at 9.55 and return 12.30)

• Tuesday: Class Party (12.45 at school) 

• Thursday: Christmas singalong.  

• Friday: Grade 6 versus teachers softball game and 1:30 pm finish.  

We hope you all have a lovely weekend and get some rest before the busy and exciting last week of school. 

Nicole and Miss Else

It’s been a fun-filled week as we head towards the end of the school year! We enjoyed lots of Christmas-themed activities and craft, spent time reflecting on our learning, and made the most of our final weeks together. On Tuesday, students had a taste of what’s to come as they met their 2026 classes during our Step-Up program. This brought a mix of excitement and a few nerves, but everyone is looking forward to making new friends next year.

On Thursday, we loved sharing some of our creations during the Christmas Expo. Students proudly displayed the clay diya pots made during our Diwali learning and the paper lanterns inspired by Ramadan celebrations. Thank you to everyone who took the time to stop by. We also enjoyed visiting the other classes to see what they have been working on—especially the gingerbread designs!

Next week, we will be travelling to Kangaroo Flat for swimming lessons on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Please see the session times below: 

1/2CS: depart 9:10, class 10:00, return 11:45
1/2L and 1/2WA: depart 10:40, class 11:30, return 1:15 

A reminder to please label all clothing and towels. Students may wear their bathers to school under their uniform and pack their underwear and towel in a separate waterproof bag.

On Thursday, we have our school Christmas singalong in the morning and our class parties in the afternoon. Students are invited to bring a small plate of food to share, along with their usual lunch.

On Friday, we have our annual Teachers vs Grade 6 softball match, and a reminder that school will finish early at 1:30pm.

Warm regards,
Wendy, Laura, Claire, Sarah and Andrew

What an exciting and jam-packed week we’ve had!  

There was much excitement and anticipation (and maybe a smidge of apprehension) on Tuesday as students participated in our ‘Step-Up’ program and joined their 2026 teacher and classmates for an hour after recess. While it’s always a bit sad to leave current classes after building such strong connections, we’re sure everyone will have a wonderful year with new friendships and relationships to be formed. 

After working on designing, baking, assembling and of course decorating our gingerbread, the day we had been preparing for finally arrived! On Thursday, we showcased our marvellous gingerbread creations at the Creative Christmas Expo. This has been a valuable opportunity for students to practice their self-management, collaboration and communications skills while engaging in a rich hands-on maths task. Thank you to all families who supplied ingredients, assisted with making and baking gingerbread at home and providing the lollies for decorative purposes. 

Next week, we continue with end of year celebrations, including the class picnic and pool day on Tuesday, whole school Christmas singalong on Thursday morning, the annual Grade 6 vs Teachers softball match and a 1:30pm finish on Friday.

As we head into the final week of school, we hope you enjoy looking through students’ Learning Journals and reading their end of year reports. We are so proud of the achievements and progress students have made, it really has been a wonderful year full of laughter and lots of learning. 

Enjoy your weekend, 

Sally, Mr Scott, Louise, Hannah and Carly

What a week! Gingerbread construction began in earnest on Monday morning and what a sight it was! Christmas carols on, gingerbread baked and about 15 litres of royal icing at the ready. Step up day ran smoothly on Tuesday, where the Grade 5s got to meet their new teachers and classmates at CNPS and most of the Grade 6s spent the day at Castlemaine Secondary College. Feedback from students about step-up day: “Amazing, great, fun, good experience, cool, epic, maturing”.

The teacher chase is always epic, and this year was no exception! A huge thank you to Samantha and Charlie Chapman who, on Wednesday, wrote, directed, filmed and produced the whole thing.

Thursday was, of course, our Christmas expo where our gingerbread creations came to life. Such an incredible effort from all the teachers and students to make it happen.

Now we really are in the final stages of the 2025 school year. Next week, we will be packing up classrooms, holding class Kris Kringles (please ensure your child has brought in a present if you have opted in) and having a pool and picnic day on Tuesday. Grade 6 Graduation is on Wednesday evening at the Campbells Creek Community Centre, Thursday is the Christmas singalong, and Friday is softball and Santa! School ends at 1:30pm on Friday next week.

A huge thank you to all the staff, parents and students of our school community who have made 2025 such a fantastic and successful year. We hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a summer break that is exactly what you need.

Hannah, Ben, Bec, Nicci, Jay and Rhys

Bike Education: Grade 3-6 - Tips 

As you continue to practice your riding together, my key tips are: 

• accompany primary age children on the footpath, remembering to dismount and walk your bike across the road 

• support them to make their own decisions about the appropriate time to stop, cross or give way 

• encourage them to get back into the ‘pedal power position’ every time they stop, which is left foot on the ground and right foot resting on the pedal in a high (1 o’clock) position. This can help them to form a habit of leaning away from vehicles once they’re a rider on the road, as well as getting the maximum push possible, encouraging balance and momentum, with that first downward pedal motion 

• urge them to look up and ahead, watching where they want to go, especially as they take off or ride slowly around corners, rather than looking down at their feet or at the ground, because eyes are key for good balance! 

Swimming: Grade Prep-2 

Our junior classes are attending swimming lessons at Gurri Wanyarra in Kangaroo Flat during the mornings on Monday 15th, Tuesday 16th and Wednesday 17th December. We will be looking for parents/carers to assist us. Buses will transport our students to the venue and the cost of this program is covered by the DET Swimming and Water Safety initiative and funding. Please return permission notes by Monday 8th December. 

1/2CS bus departs school at 9:10 and returns at 11:45 

PE and PN bus departs at 9:55 and returns at 12:30 

1/2L and 1/2WA bus departs at 10:40 and returns at 1:15 

Useful Hints and Tips prior to the P/1/2 swimming program commencing; 

• Label all your child’s belongings. 

• Wear bathers to school underneath your school uniform. Pack underwear in your bag. 

• Pack underwear, towel, drink bottle in a separate waterproof bag in your child’s schoolbag. 

• Two piece bathers (i.e. top & pants) are easier for managing the toilet at school or the pool than one-piece bathers 

• If you think your child has had limited experience and might feel nervous, you could better prepare them by taking your child for a play at Gurri Wanyarra before the program commences, so they can familiarise themselves with the venue, pools and changeroom facilities. 

2026 Swimming: Grade 3-6 

*Update! Dates have changed from our newsletter last week!*

Due to staffing and swim teacher availability, please correct these dates in your calendars for Grade 3-6 swimming lessons at Castlemaine Outdoor Pool next year which begins on Monday 2 February next year. Keep an eye out for permission forms which can hopefully be sent home and returned this year, so we’re ready to go! The cost of this program is covered by the DET Swimming and Water Safety Initiative Funding. 

Grade 3-6 Swimming Lessons on Mondays 2nd, 9th, 16th and 23rd February. (Not Fridays as originally announced)

Grade 3-6 House Swimming Carnival on Friday, 13th February.

Across the school, all students have been singing Christmas songs in preparation for the Singalong next Thursday. We will invite students to wear their favourite Christmas outfits on the day, and we hope to see any parents or grandparents that can make it at 10am.  

It has been lovely to see how far our Preps have come over the year. To end the term, we have been playing with puppets; finger puppets and hand puppets and then making our own Christmas puppets.  

In Grade 1/2, we have ended the term by using Alison Lester books, including Imagine and Magic Beach, to inspire our drama. Students have practised bring freeze frames to life.  

This week, the Grade 3/4s have been performing different Christmas plays including ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, Scrooges Christmas, The Gingerbread, The Moose Who Wanted to be a Reindeer and Brer Rabbit’s Christmas.  

The Grade 5/6s have been focusing on facial expressions, gestures and movement while building tension in different ‘mystery’ scenes.

What a big year for Performing Arts, thanks for all your support. I look forward to more singing, dancing and acting with the students in 2026. Happy holidays to all! 

Nicci

1/2 WA

Winnie B - for the beauty you brought to our class singing.
Torrie L - for the bravery you showed during out Christmas Expo.

5/6 BH

Lula T - for working through challenging moments during your gingerbread planning and building.
Harvey W - for always maintaining your focus and excellence no matter what time of year it is.

5/6 H

Sofia D - for working so diligently on your gingerbread masterpiece.

5/6 J

Lucy H - for showing patience and persistence when gingerbread construction got challenging.
Peyton B - for making sure your partner didn't miss out on gingerbread when they were away.
Thomas C - for the kind way you shared your gingerbread with a classmate.
Phoebe B - for your outstanding outfield catch during softball practice.

Stilt Licenses

Delaney D & Zaria F

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