As we wrap up another remarkable school year at Zuccoli Primary School, I want to take a moment to reflect on the journey we’ve shared and express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has been part of our community.

This year has been filled with achievements, challenges and moments of joy that have strengthened us as a school. From our engaging classroom projects to exciting school events like our sports day, the school concert Under the Big Top, mother’s day and father’s day stalls, the coffee carts, world teachers day, the book parade, we have witnessed our students grow, explore and excel in countless ways. Their enthusiasm and dedication remind us why we do what we do every day.

For the past six months, it has been my privilege to serve as Acting Principal of Zuccoli Primary School and I am excited to continue in this role for the next six months. I remain deeply committed to our school’s vision and the goals we have set to make Zuccoli even bigger and better. With a strong focus on literacy, student engagement and whole-school consistency, we are well-positioned to achieve even greater success in the year ahead.

To our staff, thank you for your unwavering commitment and passion. Your ability to inspire and nurture our students creates the vibrant and inclusive learning environment that makes Zuccoli Primary School so special. To staff that we farewell, we wish you all the best and enjoy your adventures.

To our families, your partnership and support play a crucial role in our success. Whether it’s through volunteering, attending events, or simply encouraging your children to embrace every opportunity, your involvement is deeply valued and appreciated. I do want to challenge you though….well perhaps it's more a challenge for me than for you, I want to ensure that every parent pops into my office to say hello. I will see which families read the newsletter. My other challenge for families that follow us on FB is to share share and share our posts.  Let’s make Zuccoli known across Australia and perhaps across the world!

As we look ahead to 2025, we are excited about the plans taking shape and the opportunities they will bring for our students to thrive. With our collective effort, I am confident we can continue to grow as a school community and achieve our shared goals.

Finally, I wish you all a safe and restful holiday season. Take time to enjoy the company of loved ones, recharge and reflect on the year’s accomplishments. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in 2025, ready to embark on another year of growth, learning and community.

ELIZABETH ANDRADE

A/Principal

Congratulations to the following award recipients:

Assembly hosted by: Lukas Cosep and Aston Uridge

This week, our students explored the importance of following procedures by creating their own "funny ice cube" drawings! First, they identified and gathered the necessary materials. Then, they carefully listened and followed each step in order. The results? Some wonderfully creative and hilarious ice cube characters!

We’re proud of their focus and attention to detail. Check out their amazing work!

During the last couple of weeks, Red 5 has had some fantastic conversations about what students want to be when they grow up. While many dream of being rich (who doesn’t!), it was heartwarming to see that everyone also wanted to help others in their own way. Some imagined making people laugh with YouTube videos, while others thought about offering free services when they become tradies.

The students then got creative and designed “Future Glasses” to show what they see for themselves in the future. Their designs were amazing—full of dreams, ideas and even a few surprises!

It’s been so lovely hearing their big ideas and how much they care about giving back. Why not ask your child about their "Future Glasses" design? It’s a great way to find out what they’re dreaming about!

We are very fortunate at Zuccoli Primary School to have chickens for students to care for and love. The joy these feathered friends bring to the students is worth the effort it takes to care for them. We could not have chickens at our school without students, staff and Zuccoli families to assist in looking after them. Zuccoli Primary School would like to thank the following people that have helped care for our chickens or donated chickens to our school over the 2024 school year:

The Palm family

The Noonan Family

The Cronin Family

The Wight Family

The Manahan Family

The Johnstone Family

The Redway Family

The Mcgowan Family

Mrs. Roslyn McMillan (Darwin and Rural Poultry Club)

Mrs. Katie and Ms. Trudy

Mr. Jordan

Mrs. Harvey and Mrs. Sapuppo

We have also had many other staff members offer to assist and we appreciate everyone’s time, kindness and involvement. The chickens thank you and wish you a happy holiday season.

Mrs. Sapuppo for the Kitchen Garden Team

In kitchen transition students designed and then made their own funny face pizza. Students were required to use at least two different vegetables on their pizzas. There were many great designs and the students enjoyed eating their creation. Students also made pumpkin ice-cream from the pumpkin that was harvested in our school garden. In year 5/6, students made Okonomiyaki which is a Japanese savory pancake. It is traditionally sold as street food and can be made using many different ingredients. 

Over the past four weeks, students in year 5/6 classes researched easy canapes. In weeks 8 and 9, students prepared and cooked these for a special sit down lunch. Students were required to use at least one garden ingredient within their canape’. In each cooking group, students had to work collaboratively with one another. Other tasks involved were to invite staff members, setting tables, decorate the kitchen and put together table centre pieces.

Transition Lane enjoyed creating some amazing dioramas.

This week Preschool had their celebration assembly for 2024. Students and families attended to see the students get their gifts, photos from the year and a morning tea enjoyed by all.  A fabulous photo booth was set up in the preschool where parents and students got to take some photos to remember the year. Over this last year, we have watched the students grow, blossom and develop their skills. Here’s a little recap of our 2024 Preschool year!

Term 1 began with their very first days, some being the first time they had left you behind. We saw tears and smiles from both children and adults. The students began to make connections with their teachers and peers and share with you the adventures of their days at pick up times. We saw parents meet and begin to make connections through our Preschool Meet and Greet BBQ. Celebrations of our many different cultures through Harmony Day and a colourful finish to the term with our Colour Splatactular.

Term 2 began with school photo day where the students got to share their great big smiles as soon as they returned from holidays. We began our weekly library visits where students got to pick special stories to take home and read with you. We participated in National Simultaneous Storytelling where we read the story Bowerbird Blues together like many other classrooms in Australia. We finished the term by putting on our sports uniforms and joined in with the whole school Sports Day where we saw all of our preschoolers race their little hearts out. We also had our dress up days where we saw many adults and grandparents of the future.

Term 3 saw our preschoolers begin to attend whole school assemblies and we held our first ever Preschool Art Show where the students displayed all of the beautiful creations they made. We participated in the Book Parade where the students got to dress up like their favourite book characters. It was wonderful to see so many different characters come to preschool that day. We finished off the term will our whole school concert where the preschool students opened the show and I must say were AMAZING dancers!

Term 4 was a busy term filled with lots of new experiences for our preschoolers. We had transition visits, dress up days, Healthy Harold and our preschool celebration assembly.

We did all of this while learning and growing throughout the year! All the students have many things they should be proud of from their time in preschool whether that is making new friends, learning how to work together, writing their names or learning how to count. It has been wonderful to be a part of their learning journey.

Thank you for allowing us to be their preschool teachers! Preschoolers, thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to your learning this year. All of you are amazing and should be very proud of who you are! We know that you are ready for BIG school next year and we can’t wait to see all the BIG things you do!

Congratulations to the following award recipients:

We would like to remind families that our centre will be closed over the festive season from Monday 23 December - Friday 3 January.