South Melbourne Park Primary School

To the students, staff and families at South Melbourne Park Primary School:

My name is Nicole Arnold and I will be starting as Principal, in Term 3. I can’t wait to become part of your vibrant community! I am so impressed with what you’ve all managed to accomplish over the last three and a half years. I know first-hand, how incredibly challenging it has been for school communities and I can only imagine how difficult it must have been to develop a new school, through a pandemic!

Over my career, I’ve worked at 4 diverse schools and have held many teaching, specialist and leadership roles. I have cherished my time at each school, developing lasting relationships and learning, both with and from, students, families and peers. My most recent role has been as Assistant Principal at Yarraville West Primary School. In my Student Wellbeing role, I support around 300 students and their families in the Junior school. I’m also proud to be an instructional leader who coaches classroom teachers to embed research-based best practice in Literacy. I am passionate about building teacher professional knowledge and supporting teachers to improve their practice, which in turn, improves outcomes for students.

I have two wonderful daughters, who have taken very diverse learning pathways and are chasing their own unique dreams. When I first began learning about South Melbourne Park, I was immediately drawn to the vision to inspire a new generation of curious minds. When you’re passionate about something, your motivation to be curious and open to learning helps to build confidence and self-belief, as your understanding and skills grow.

The prospective careers of our children are changing and developing at a rapid rate. I want the students at South Melbourne Park to build on exceptional foundational skills; to be critical and creative thinkers, who are resilient and collaborative risk-takers, so that they become the problem-solvers and creatives of tomorrow.

I feel incredibly privileged and excited to become your new Principal and am so looking forward to meeting you all, as we start this new chapter together.
With kids at the heart,
Nicole

Today was my last day as Principal at South Melbourne Park Primary. I am joining the ‘retirement club’ after 51 years of being with the Department of Education & Training.

My first teaching appointment was at Westall Primary in 1974. The students of the prep class I taught are now 53 years old.

I have had the most amazing career and worked with dedicated, hard working educators, for this I am truly grateful. During my long career at 11 different schools I have witnessed thousands of children grow and learn.

I am honoured that my contribution to education has been recognised. When I left Kingswood Primary School in 2018, the school hall was named the Cosentino Hall.
This week South Melbourne Park Primary School inaugurated the Cosentino Sailing Scholarship for under privileged students.

Thank you South Melbourne Park it has been a previlage and honour to be the founding principal of this school.

Thankyou to our Families & Friends volunteers for hosting our End of Year Disco yesterday for the children.

It's been difficult to catch up in person this year but we look forward to more opportunities to connect in 2022!

We have Amelia from Bop till you Drop laying down the beats for our Families & Friends end of year shenanigans today!

Thanks to the members of our community who logged in for tonight's Families & Friends Virtual Trivia and Silent Auction. Much fun was had by all, especially the breaks in between the Trivia matches when we had participants playing charades!

The funds from the Silent Auction alone raised $2,441 toward our Playground Fund and we welcome direct donations via QKR to further increase this total. Thank you to everyone who donated items and supported this event!

Our lovely school community hand crafted these gorgeous lanterns and many more for our Winter Lantern Festival which was postponed earlier this year. We are disappointed we didn't see our courtyard festooned with these but look forward to another opportunity in the future!

SMPPS Families & Friends are working on a way for us to connect online soon and continue our fundraising for the school playground so watch this space for more information. In the meantime, stay well and take care.

A lovely wintery welcome to Term 3 today with our new Friendship Tree wrap, lovingly crafted by one of our talented parents. Have a great term, everyone! ❄❄❄

We had so much fun at our Walkathon today! The theme was "House Colours" so it was a very bright and cheerful start to the day.

Thankyou to all the members of our school community who showed up to make the event extra special and support our children as they walked the course.

Shout out to our Families & Friends volunteers for organising the day. To everyone who sponsored the children, your contribution will go towards building a school playground that we really need, so we appreciate every dollar, thank you.

A new term means a new wrap on our Friendship Tree - this time the theme is the school House colours.

Hand crafted by one of our very talented parents, it is a welcome sight as we launch into Term 2.

Today at Bunnings, Port Melbourne. Come down for a delicious sausage and support our school!

Your support is much needed as we fundraise for a playground. See you there!