Dear KPS Families,

This will be my final Acting Principal Report.

Samantha Cooke will officially be back next week from her 5 week holiday. I know she will be so excited to return to school and tell everyone how amazing the trip has been. I would like to say a big thank you to all the staff at KPS for supporting me and offering their assistance while Ms Cooke was away. What a fabulous bunch of humans!.

STUDENT FREE DAY Monday 3rd November

Teachers are going offsite for Professional Development on Monday the 3rd so there will be NO staff at school.

Please make sure you have organised your child for the student free day.

What a Busy Fortnight.

The 5/6 cricket was a total success! The boys won two out of three games, finishing 2nd and the girls won all their games and have made it through to the Regional finals. Unfortunately the competition is being held on the first day of 5/6 camp, so they can not compete. Great effort and display of sportsmanship.

5/6 Teeball displayed some tough competition. Both the boys and the girls teams came 2nd in very close games.

Chess Tournaments

Karingal Primary School hosted the State Semi-Finals Chess Tournament on Wednesday last week.

Six of our talented students - Dillan, Nathan, Cohen, Indigo, Ryan, and Max G - qualified to compete in the event. With 26 private and public schools represented, our team performed exceptionally well, finishing 12th overall. A fantastic achievement!

Earlier in the week, on Monday, Florence represented our school in the Girls-Only State Finals. She placed 61st out of 110 students - an outstanding accomplishment and a great honour to represent Karingal Primary at the state level.

Congratulations to all our students who qualified and competed, we are very proud of you!

3/4 Wildlife Incursion

Vince from Aussie Wildlife Displays came out to the school to follow on from Janet the wild life rescuer. He gave a presentation on the native animals, their habitats and how we can protect them. Students got to touch, feel and hold an assortment of animals including a crocodile, wombat, possum and kookaburra just to name a few.

Sparks STEM conference

The students had an early start on Thursday, leaving school by 8am. At the "It takes a Spark!" STEM conference the students heard this year's keynote speaker Tim Kitchen from Adobe talk about the future of technology and the need for creative, collaborative people to push change and progress forward. This was followed by hands on workshops covering a range of different STEM topics from sustainable technology, coding, podcasting, engineering and building robots to fun classroom physics at a high school level. Some of our students won prizes for their science inquiry skills including creative thinking, mapping skills and bottles rockets, coding, ingenuity and contributions in workshops. The teachers were very proud of our children and the way they conducted themselves through out with enthusiasm, interest and good manners.

P-2 Aquarium

I was lucky enough to accompany the students to the Sea life Aquarium. The students travelled by bus (one was way more fun than the other due to the music and sing a long) and were guided through in their classes to learn about the different sea creature and their special habitats. The students showed wonderful listening skills and provided the tour guide with some really interesting questions. They had lunch on the banks of the Yarra before returning to school. There was a lot of walking so I’m sure there was a lot of tired children on Friday afternoon.

2026 BOOKLISTS

2026 Booklist orders are up and running and super simple to complete. I have sent another COMPASS notification with instructions. The online ordering is open until the 28th November to make payment. If you need any assistance please contact the school prior to this date.

https://booklist.officebrands.com.au/twobays/karingal-primary-school/  Access Code: KaringalPS

TERM 4 EVENTS

The following events are scheduled for Term 4:

·       Smile Squad – Monday 20th October – Friday 7th November

·       World Teachers Day – Friday 31st October

·       Curriculum Day – Monday 3rd November

·       Cup Day Holiday – Tuesday 4th November

·       Prep Transition – Wednesday 12th November 2:45

·       5/6 City Camp – Wednesday 18th – Friday 21st November

·       Prep Transition – Wednesday 26th November  2:45

·       Whole School Colour Run – Friday 28th November

Stay safe and take care

Jacquie Schneider
Acting Principal

Celebrating the Amazing, Dedicated, and Inspiring Teachers of KPS

World Teachers’ Day – October 31, 2025

On behalf of the Karingal Primary School Council and the families of KPS, we proudly join in celebrating World Teachers’ Day 2025 - a day to recognise and thank the incredible educators who guide, support, and inspire our students every single day.

Led with passion and purpose by Principal Samantha Cooke and Assistant Principal Jacquie Schneider, our teachers embody what it truly means to shape young minds and hearts. They create safe, engaging, and inclusive classrooms where every child feels valued and encouraged to reach their full potential. Their dedication goes far beyond lesson plans and report writing. It’s seen in the quiet encouragement, the creative spark, the patience through challenges, and the joy they bring to learning.

At Karingal Primary School, our teachers truly shape futures every day. Every conversation, every activity, and every moment of support and celebration helps build the foundation for our students’ future success. Our teachers don’t just prepare students for the next grade, they help them grow into curious, resilient, and compassionate individuals ready to make a difference in the world.

We are deeply grateful for the care, energy, and commitment our teachers show not only to their students, but also to each other and to the entire Karingal community. Their impact is lasting, their influence profound, and their efforts never go unnoticed.

So today, and every day, we say a heartfelt thank you to our amazing teachers. You truly are the heart of Karingal Primary School - SHAPING FUTURES EVERY DAY.

From the Karingal Primary School Council and Families

Spooktacular Fun Lights Up the Night! 

Friday, October 17, saw another spooktacular success as students, families, and staff came together for the annual school disco. The event was filled with music, laughter, and Halloween excitement, with the hall transformed into a glowing, ghostly celebration space. From colourful costumes and flashing lights to spooky decorations and dancing feet, it was a night to remember for everyone who attended.

A huge thank you goes to our wonderful Community and Fundraising Committee for their time, creativity, and hard work in organising this much-loved event. Their efforts behind the scenes ensured everything ran smoothly, from decorations and ticketing to the delicious treats on offer.

Special appreciation also goes to DJ Helen, who kept the dance floor buzzing all evening with an energetic mix of hits that had everyone moving.

Events like the disco highlight the strength of our school community where families, students, and staff come together to celebrate, connect, and create lasting memories. It was a fantastic night of fun and teamwork that truly showcased our community spirit!

2025 Spooky Disco

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Junior Students Dive into Discovery at SEA LIFE Aquarium

Our junior school students recently embarked on an exciting learning adventure to the SEA LIFE Aquarium in Melbourne, where curiosity and discovery came together for a memorable day. The excursion gave students the chance to explore the wonders of the underwater world while building on their classroom learning about habitats and animal adaptations.

Guided through the aquarium in their class groups, students were fascinated by the incredible variety of marine creatures on display; from graceful rays and colourful tropical fish to the mysterious sharks gliding through the deep. Each group was accompanied by a knowledgeable tour guide who shared interesting facts about how these creatures survive and adapt to their unique environments. The students’ enthusiasm was evident as they asked thoughtful questions and demonstrated excellent listening and engagement throughout the experience.

The journey itself was part of the fun, with plenty of chatter and excitement on the bus rides. One bus in particular became the highlight of the day thanks to an impromptu sing-along that kept spirits high. After exploring the aquarium, the students enjoyed a well-earned lunch break along the scenic banks of the Yarra River, where they could relax and share their favourite moments from the day.

It was a wonderful opportunity for hands-on learning outside the classroom and a reminder of how engaging real-world experiences can deepen understanding and spark curiosity. By the time they returned to school, there were plenty of tired but happy faces, a sure sign of a successful and inspiring excursion.

Junior School Aquarium Excursion 2025

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Chess Tournament Success

Karingal Primary School was honoured to host the State Semi-Finals Chess Tournament on Wednesday last week, welcoming students from 26 private and public schools across Victoria. The atmosphere was filled with concentration, excitement, and friendly competition as young players put their strategic thinking to the test.

We were proud to have six of our talented students - Dillan, Nathan, Cohen, Indigo, Ryan, and Max G - qualify to compete at this prestigious event. Each of them showed great focus, sportsmanship, and perseverance throughout the day. Their efforts paid off, with Karingal Primary achieving an impressive 12th place overall, a fantastic result against such a strong field of competitors.

Earlier in the week, on Monday, Florence proudly represented our school in the Girls Only State Finals. Competing against 110 of the best players in Victoria, she placed 61st, which is an outstanding accomplishment. Representing the school at the state level is a remarkable achievement and a testament to her dedication and love for the game.

Chess continues to grow in popularity at Karingal Primary, providing students with opportunities to develop patience, concentration, and problem-solving skills, all while having fun and building friendships.

A huge congratulations to all our students who represented Karingal Primary with such enthusiasm and pride. You have demonstrated not only your chess abilities but also the values of perseverance, respect, and teamwork that make our school community so strong.

We are excited to share some important changes to the way families will order and pay for booklists and school fees in 2026. These changes have been agreed upon through School Council to make the process clearer and more efficient for everyone.

Streamlined and Sustainable Booklists

We have worked hard to ensure our booklists are:

• Consistent and progressive from Foundation to Grade 6.

• Focused on minimising waste, with every item carefully selected for use throughout the year.

• Environmentally conscious — any unused or excess materials will be returned to students at the end of the year.

New Ordering Process for 2026

For 2026, families will order directly through TwoBays Office National via a Parent Portal.

• Karingal Primary School will no longer order supplies on behalf of families.

• Families will make payments online through the Parent Portal.

• Materials will be delivered to the school in January 2026 — ready for the new school year.

How to Order Your Child’s Booklist

Follow these simple steps to place your order:

1. Go to the website:
   https://booklist.officebrands.com.au/twobays/karingal-primary-school/

2. Enter the Access Code:
   KaringalPS

3. Select your child’s year level and add the required items to your cart.

4. At the checkout:

   • Use the drop-down menu and select:
     “Collect at school (pay now)”
     (This is the only option available — please ensure you select it before finalising your order.)

5. Follow the prompts to complete payment and confirm your order.

Next Steps for Families

• Order early! Make your payment before the 28th November, 2025 to guarantee delivery before the first day of school.

• Watch Compass for updates and reminders.

• Contact the school office if you need support or have questions about the process.

Separate Payments for 2026

In 2026, Booklists and School Fees will be separate payments:

• School Fees – These are a voluntary payment, but they are essential in helping us provide high-quality programs, resources, and opportunities for all students.

• Booklist Payments – These are required, as they cover the personal materials your child needs for learning throughout the year.

⚠️ Booklist payment must be made for your child to receive their supplies for the start of the 2026 school year.

Need Help or Have Questions?

If you need help or have any questions, please see:

• Samantha Cooke (Principal)

• Jacquie Schneider (Assistant Principal)

We’re here to support you and make sure every child has the resources they need for a successful start to 2026.