FROM THE HEAD OF PRIMARY

The year is certainly off and running. The Grammar Life Expo highlighted all the co-curricular possibilities for students at Grammar and it is already great to see how many students are taking up the opportunity to be involved in the life of the school outside of the classroom. This week’s P-2 Da Capo Choir deserves a special mention with 82 students attending rehearsal with Mrs Poole; we look forward to seeing the upcoming performances. 

Following our successful Twilight Swimming Carnival, next week we have Year 6 students representing the school at the annual Ecumenical Service and the Prep to Year 2 students attending their Setting Up for Success Assembly; all of this in addition to a large number of students now attending our after-school clubs and activities. We look forward to an exciting term.

Thank you to parents for your co-operation concerning traffic flow and parking. Remember students in Years 1-6 will leave class at 3:05 pm and arrive at departure areas after this time.

Class Information Sessions

During these first few weeks of Term One, classes have been Setting up for Success, focusing on establishing routines, expectations and our Grammar Learning Assets. Families have also had the opportunity to attend our orientation day and the Grammar Life Expo, both designed to support a smooth transition into the school year and showcase the many co-curricular opportunities available to students across the school.

In Week 4, we warmly invite families to an information session with your child’s Classroom Teacher.  This whole-class session will focus on classroom routines and expectations, homework requirements, key events for the year, and provide an opportunity for parents to ask any questions they may have after the first few weeks of the term.  These Class Information Sessions are scheduled prior to school pick-up times. To assist with traffic at the end of the school day, we ask that you do not park in any Kiss and Go collection areas when attending the sessions.

Parking will be limited during these hours; however, as well as the gold marked parent carparks throughout the school, some additional student parks at the back of the school, and between the Grammar Early Learning Centre and the lake, can also be used.  To assist with traffic at the end of the school day, we ask that you do not park in any Kiss and Go collection areas when attending the sessions.

• Monday 17 February: Prep (2:15 pm - 2:45 pm) and Year 4 (2:30 pm - 3:00 pm)
• Tuesday 18 February: Year 1 (2:30 pm - 3:00 pm) and Year 3 (2:30 pm - 3:00 pm)
• Wednesday 19 February: Year 2 (2:30 pm - 3:00 pm) and Year 5 (2:30 pm - 3:00 pm)
• Friday 21 February: Year 6 (2:30 pm - 3:00 pm)

Our Parent Teacher Interviews, which are part of our reporting process, will be held on Tuesday 25 March and Wednesday 2 April. Booking requests will be sent later in the term.  These individual meetings will be an opportunity to discuss your child’s progress, both academically and socially, and how your child has settled into the school year. Details on how to book an appointment will be shared closer to the date. As always, if you wish to meet with your child’s teacher before the official Parent Teacher Interview period, please reach out to arrange a suitable time.

We value your partnership and look forward to working together for a productive and rewarding year ahead.

Uniforms

A student’s appearance at Grammar and in public is of great importance and should be a source of pride. This applies not only to uniforms but general appearance, including hair and behaviour.  Teachers working with parents to support students with their presentation is always a positive start and we appreciate your support in this area. 

Lost Property

Every item of clothing and equipment should be clearly named. This includes sporting equipment such as tennis racquets, cricket gear, footballs, all books and stationery. As students change at school, underclothes should be included in the list of items to be named. Parents are urged to be vigilant in this matter.  Lost property boxes are located near the Student Reception and the Aquatic Centre.

If you have a named item at home that isn’t your child’s, please return it to the Lost Property boxes.

If your child has lost an item, please look in the Lost Property boxes.

Primary Family Handbook

The 2025 Handbook has been uploaded to GECO Primary School Parent Page.  Please take the time to read over the important information covered in this document.

Staffing

Mr Paul Anderson’s appointment as the interim Dean of Primary 3-6 has been extended for the remainder of 2025.

Mr Paul Somerville will continue as the Year 5 Class Teacher until the end of the year.  The class will now be called 5PS.

We also welcome Mr Chris Solomou to the Year 6 Teaching team, teaching 6CS this year.

We congratulate Mr Anderson, Mr Somerville and Mr Solomou on these appointments, and wish them well in their roles.

We look forward to a positive year of learning and opportunities with the Year 5 and 6 Teams, supported by Mr Paul Anderson, and the Dean of Teaching and Learning, Ms Kathryn Wilkinson. 

Mrs Rebecca Wells is heading off on parental leave, finishing up this Friday.  We wish the Wells family all the best as they extend their family in the coming weeks.

NAPLAN Dates

NAPLAN dates for 2025 for Years 3 and 5 are:

• Wednesday 12 March - Writing
• Friday 14 March - Reading
• Monday 17 March - Conventions of Language
• Wednesday 19 March - Numeracy

Craig Angel
Head of Primary School