Principal’s Report
Today brings to a close another wonderful year of achievement and community at Northbridge PS. I would like to thank our staff, students and parents for the amazing contributions you have all made to our school this year. We are stronger together and that has never been more true at NPS than in 2025.
Last night we farewelled Year 6 at their graduation at Northbridge Golf Club. I had the opportunity to wish them well and tell them how proud of them all of us are and how hopeful we are for their bright futures. Here is my farewell to them:
For most of you, this week draws to a close seven wonderful years of primary school education at Northbridge PS. I know all of you have very fond memories of events, friends, and teachers, and hopefully, all of you have learned something along the way – not just in academic terms but about life: growing into the best version of yourself that you can be and generally being respectful, responsible, and successful.
In these seven years, you’ve not only gained knowledge but wisdom from experiences. You’ve learned about the importance of perseverance when faced with challenges, the strength of friendship in building a supportive community, and the value of respect, responsibility, and success as guiding principles.
Beyond that, many of you have demonstrated outstanding leadership within our school, serving as role models to your peers and embodying the values we hold dear. You have been great ambassadors for Northbridge, representing our community with pride, whether in sports, cultural activities, or academic endeavors.
This year, more than any other year during my time as Principal at Northbridge, there have been many challenges thrown your way as a Year 6 cohort. Very personal challenges for some of you and ones that have rippled through your whole group and our whole community. You and your families have faced these challenges with courage, and have opened your hearts and extended friendship, support and most of all love, to each other. The strong sense of community that you have as a Year 6 group has resulted in you developing resilience that will strengthen your character for the rest of your lives. It has been my privilege as your principal to watch you grow and develop over the last seven years at our school.
Carry the spirit of Northbridge with you. Remember the friendships you’ve forged, the lessons you’ve learned, and the values you’ve embraced. Life will present new challenges as well as many opportunities to you, and I have no doubt that you will face them with the skills you have learned along the way.
Congratulations on your graduation, Year 6 and best of luck in all your future adventures.
Thank you to our P&C
P&C meetings are always a place where our true sense of community is articulated and ideas for the betterment of our school are hatched and acted upon. They are a forum for respectful, healthy discourse and an opportunity to be with friends and like minds. Although our meeting attendance numbers are usually small, these don’t reflect the army of foot soldiers conducting the work at ground level. My gratitude and thanks go also to you who bring the amazing ideas to fruition through your tireless efforts. Our fundraiser along with every event held this year have provided the funds for us to move forward with with new technology in the hall in 2026. We have been enjoying the benefits of the 2024 fundraising with the aircon provided, over the last few weeks of the year! Thank you so much for keeping us cool!
Over the Bridge
I am extremely grateful to Annette Weir for once again doing an outstanding job of producing our Over the Bridge publication. This is a mammoth undertaking which Annette does with such skill every year. Congratulations also to our cover design winners for this year, Alisa Wong and Ayaka Loi. Your beautiful representations of ‘Wonder’, this year’s theme are WONDERful.
2026 School Leaders
Our new school leaders have been elected for 2026 and were announced on Presentation Day. We are all excited to see these 8 students grow and thrive in their positions next year.
CAPTAINS: Emily Thomas & Marco Hocking
VICE CAPTAINS: Amelia Debney & Julian Im
PREFECTS: Sophie Fallu,Taiga Howden, Alice Tracey and Nina Marelic
Please read the article later in this newsletter.
Staff Development Days
Following on with the structure of the school year begun in 2025, the staff development days and student commencement days are as follows:
SDDay 1 Tuesday January 27
SDDay 2 Wednesday January 28
SDDay 3 Thursday January 29
SDDay 4 Friday January 30
ALL STUDENTS (Kindergarten to Year 6) RETURN MONDAY FEBRUARY 2
Farewell
Today we are farewelling some staff:
Mrs Tessa Napper has accepted a transfer to a school closer to home and has been at our school most recently as Small Group Tuition teacher for two days per week. Mrs Howell is taking some maternity leave for the birth of her third child and Miss Byrne will be doing some travelling before returning home to Ireland. Our GA, Xavier Russell who has been relieving for Paul Hearn while he has been on leave has obtained a permanent position at a high school closer to home. Mrs Michelle Wineberg who very stepped into the Stage 2 Assistant Principal role after Lisa Skinner went on maternity leave is returning to her substantive school.
I would like to thank all of these people for the contributions they have made to our school while they have been with us at Northbridge.
Finally, I hope everyone is able to have a restful, joyful and peaceful holiday break. We are well prepared for 2026 and are looking forward to another wonderful year at our fabulous school!
Christine Smith
Principal
