Dear Parents and Carers
Community of Achievers
As we move through another busy and exciting term, I’d like to take a moment to share some important updates about our school’s achievements, upcoming events, and key initiatives shaping the learning experience at Dripstone Middle School. Our students and staff have been working incredibly hard, and it’s been wonderful to see the dedication and enthusiasm across our classrooms and school community.
During the last week our students have been actively engaging in NAPLAN Testing, demonstrating focus and resilience. These assessments will help to provide valuable insights into our students learning progress and help us refine our teaching strategies to best support their success. We appreciate the support from families in ensuring students feel prepared and confident during this period.
The ongoing work of the Secondary Review Reform is an important focus for our school community as we transition towards becoming a comprehensive secondary school. We are committed to implementing changes that will enrich student learning providing them with a range of pathways ensuring a smooth transition into senior secondary education.
Thank you to all the families who attended the recent Secondary Reform Information Afternoon on 13th of March and gave their input. I will be hosting a morning session and late afternoon session next week to hear your thoughts and ideas. This is an opportunity for us to work together as our school evolves into a comprehensive school.
Strong partnerships between home and school play a vital role in our students’ success. Thank you to all our families who recently attended our Meet and Greet. Next week Parent-Teacher Interviews provide a valuable opportunity to discuss your child’s progress and set goals for the rest of the year. I look forward seeing all our families there.
We are excited to celebrate Harmony Day this Friday. This is a special occasion that highlights our school’s rich cultural diversity and reinforces the importance of inclusivity and respect. Students will participate in a range of activities that promote unity and celebrate the different backgrounds that make our school community so vibrant.
We are proud to continue our work with the Learning Commission and our Ambassadors. This is an initiative that gives students a voice in shaping their educational experience at Dripstone. Through this program, students collaborate with teachers to explore innovative learning strategies and improve engagement across the school. Student voice is instrumental in making ongoing positive changes to our school community. Thank you to Ms Kuo, Mr Rose and Ms Deb for their ongoing work with our Ambassadors!
Thank you to all our families for your ongoing support in making Dripstone Middle School a place where every student can thrive. We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events and continuing to work together to create a positive and enriching learning environment where every student has the opportunity to SOAR.
Dripstone MS Secondary Reform Information Afternoon
A big thank you to all our families who joined us for our Secondary Reform Information Afternoon on the 13th of March! It was fantastic to see such strong engagement from our school community!
We hope the session provided valuable insights into our proposed transition towards becoming a comprehensive school.
Prior to the parent session, our staff held a Secondary Reforms meeting, ensuring we were well-prepared and aligned in our vision for this transition. We are all ready to take on this exciting journey as we move towards becoming a comprehensive school.
CATCH-UP INFORMATION SESSIONS
Dripstone Middle School will be hosting catch-up sessions for parents and carers who couldn't attend our recent Secondary Reform Information Afternoon.
This is another opportunity to learn about the proposed transition of Dripstone Middle School to a comprehensive high school (Years 7–12), meet key staff, and share your thoughts.
Morning Information Session:
- When: Tuesday, March 25
- Time: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
- Where: Dripstone Middle School Conference Room
- You can register your interest via the Facebook event by clicking here.
Afternoon Information Session:
- When: Thursday, March 27
- Time: 5:15 PM – 6:00 PM
- Where: Dripstone Middle School Library
- You can register your interest via the Facebook event by clicking here.
PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS
Parent-Teacher Interviews are coming up in Week 9. This is a great opportunity to connect with your child’s teachers and discuss their progress.
Interview Dates:
- Tuesday, March 25, 2025 | 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Wednesday, March 26, 2025 | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Bookings can now be made via the Compass app.
MEET AND GREET NIGHT
What a fantastic turnout at our annual Meet & Greet Evening! It was wonderful to meet our new parents and reconnect with familiar faces. We hope you enjoyed getting to know our amazing teachers and staff as much as we enjoyed meeting you!
A special thank you to those who stayed back for our School Council AGM—your support is truly appreciated.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR SCHOOL COUNCIL
Dripstone Middle School Council Annual General Meeting was recently held and well attended by members of the School Community and the Local Members for Casuarina and Wanguri. Highlights for the meeting included celebrating key activities and achievements of the students; recognising the hard work and commitment of teachers and school staff; accomplishments of the School Council, and a review of the independent financial audit report.
It is great to see the continued strong interest of parents nominating to be on the School Council with all nine parent positions being filled yet again. Your School Council representatives for 2025 are:
- Chairperson: Nicky D'Antoine
- Treasurer: Taryn Tyack
- Secretary: To be advised
- Parents: Rebecca Mellon, Robert Stuart, Jude Dawson, Cath Halkon, Lisa Hall, Belinda Orme and Joanne Butler
- Principal: Nektaria Pikoulos
- Teacher representatives: Charleen Conroy, Shanae Kuo, and George Triantafillos
A special thank you to the outgoing Council Chair, Rebecca Mellon, for her commitment and enthusiasm over the last three years in this role.
We would like to invite all members of the school community to attend future Council meetings to hear about:
- Updates on Dripstone Middle School moving to a comprehensive model (Years 7 to 12)
- Safety issues around the School (including road safety and traffic management)
- What exciting things the students are up to in the Ambassador Programs
- Updates from the Principal on general happenings around the School
- How money is being spent within the School
Our next School Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday 29th of April 2025, from 5:30 PM in the school library.
Drop us a line at secretary.dripstone@education.nt.gov.au
A MESSAGE FROM THE BOOKROOM
The 2025 $200 Back-to-School Vouchers will expire on Friday, Week 10 (April 4th, 2025)! If you still have credit remaining, make sure to use it before the cut-off date— unused credit will be lost!
We’ve restocked Dripstone Polo Shirts in sizes 14, XS, S, and M. Dripstone Shorts and coloured House/Sport Shirts will be restocked soon. We’ll update Parents and Carers as soon as they arrive.
Don't miss out—check your balance and redeem your voucher before it's too late! Contact the Front Office on 8983 7777 or email dripstone.middle@education.nt.gov.au
NTLC KICK-OFF 2025
Members from the Dripstone Learning Ambassadors (Learning Commissioners) attended the launch of the 2025 Northern Territory Learning Commission! Students explored last year’s school survey data and began forming ideas to enhance the student learning experience at Dripstone.
This year, Dripstone students will continue their work on strengthening student-teacher relationships, fostering a supportive and connected school community. Through the NTLC, students are leading research and working alongside teachers to drive meaningful change!
SCIENCE NEWS: Year 8 Chemistry
This week, our Year 8 students investigated the properties of elements! Using their knowledge, they classified various elements as metals, non-metals, or metalloids. To deepen their understanding, they conducted hands-on experiments—running an electrical current through samples to observe how each element reacts.
In another exciting experiment, students discovered how certain metal ions produce vibrant flame colours when exposed to heat. Using Bunsen burners, they watched as their flames burned orange, red, green, and purple—just like real scientists identifying unknown metals!
HUMANITIES NEWS: Exploring Biomes Through Art!
Our Year 9 Humanities students have embarked on an exciting journey into the world of geography, starting with Biomes! In Ms. Leash’s class, students got creative and hands-on, crafting stunning collages to represent different Biomes. This engaging activity helped bring their learning to life, showcasing the unique characteristics of each environment.
STEAM NEWS: E-Sports Program Levels Up!
The start of the year has brought an exciting wave of new talent to Dripstone’s E-Sports program! After making history as the first-ever NT E-Sports champions in 2024, interest in our program has doubled, with 40 eager competitors stepping up—twice as many as last year—all hoping to earn a spot among the top 12 who will represent Dripstone in the interschool grand final next term.
On top of this, our school champions will be selected to compete in the Fuse Cup at The Array Learn Make Play in May, where winners will earn the chance to represent the Northern Territory on the Gold Coast.
ART NEWS: Creativity in Clay!
Our talented Year 8 Art students have been hard at work crafting beautiful ceramic houses using the slab-building method! From carefully rolling out the clay to constructing unique designs, they’ve combined engineering and artistic creativity to bring their visions to life.
A huge thank you to Mr Dave and Mr Williams for their help in restoring an old slab roller we’re fortunate to have at Dripstone! Thanks to their efforts, our students have been able to create a stunning variety of miniature homes, each with its own unique charm.
Next up: glazing! Stay tuned to see these wonderful creations come to life with colour and texture.
SPORTS NEWS: Netball Gala Day Success!
Earlier this term, Dripstone proudly sent over 50 students across five teams to compete in the Netball Gala Day at Marrara Netball Stadium. It was a fantastic day filled with teamwork, sportsmanship, and impressive skills on display. A huge congratulations to our Year 8 girls for taking out first place in their division! Well done to all our players for their dedication and effort on the court.
DRAMA NEWS: Students Experience The Nest Makers!
18 of our Year 8 Drama students had the exciting opportunity to attend the Browns Mart Education Program and watch The Nest Makers, an original play by Betty Sweetlove.
Set in a luxurious doomsday bunker, this satirical and thought-provoking production explores prepping culture, climate justice, consumerism, inequality, and the ethics of survival. The play challenged our students to think critically about our responsibilities to each other and the future—all while keeping them entertained with its clever storytelling!
After the show, students took part in a Q&A session with the actors and tech crew, gaining valuable insights into performance and production.
A big thank you to Browns Mart for this fantastic opportunity!
GREEK NEWS: Soaring into Greek Traditions!
At Dripstone Middle, learning Greek goes beyond the classroom! Not only do our students immerse themselves in the language, but they also take part in traditions like kite flying.
For Καθαρά Δευτέρα (Clean Monday), our students crafted their own kites and had a blast trying to get them flying! This age-old tradition marks the start of Lent in Greece, and we love bringing it to life right here at school.
AMBASSADOR NEWS: International Women's Day
To celebrate International Women's Day in 2025, the Dripstone Community Ambassadors hosted an exciting Female Staff vs. Female Students Volleyball Tournament!
A huge shoutout to all the organisers and participants for putting on such a fun and competitive game. Your teamwork and spirit made this event a fantastic way to mark the occasion!
Community Ambassadors also sold handmade jewellery in The Mall to celebrate International Women's Day. Well done, students!
HOUSE SHIRT FRIDAYS
Great job to all students and staff proudly wearing their House Shirts on Fridays! As we wrap up Week 7, Carpentaria is in the lead with an impressive 330 Spirit Points! Keep up the great team spirit!
A friendly reminder to all families: If your child has Asthma, Anaphylaxis (severe allergies), Diabetes, or a Heart Condition, please ensure the school has an up-to-date copy of their Health Plan. You can email it directly to dripstone.middle@education.nt.gov.au.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Huge congratulations to Dripstone students Malakai, Shannon, and Kosta for being part of the St Mary's 2024/25 TIO NTFL U14 Gundersen Premiers Team!
A special shoutout to Malakai who kicked 8 goals and earned the Best on Ground medal!
NOTIFYING ABSENCES
Expression of Interest: National Geography Competition
Thank you to those who have already expressed interest in competing in the National Geography Competition. More information, including details about the competition and payment requirements, will be sent to you soon.
If you would like to take part, please contact Ms Alicia Scobie on alicia.scobie@education.nt.gov.au. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to test their geographical knowledge on a national level.
For more information, please visit: geographycompetition.org.au
SCHOOL EVENTS
HARMONY DAY 2025
To celebrate the diversity within our school community, we’re hosting a variety of exciting lunchtime activities this Friday for Harmony Week!
- Free BBQ hosted by the Wellbeing Team & Community Ambassadors
- Mall Concert by our talented Music students
- Face painting by Stars Academy
- Smoothies for sale by our Community Ambassadors
- Cultural food stalls run by staff
Students and staff are invited to wear cultural attire for a chance to win great prizes — everyone dressed up will receive a raffle ticket into the draw, thanks to Oly Carlson MLA & Khoda Patel MLA!
House Shirt Friday will still be running as usual for those who choose not to wear cultural attire. Students who are not in cultural attire or house shirts must wear their normal school uniform.
DESIGN COMPS - ENTRIES NOW OPEN!
Attention all creative students! We're running two exciting design comps!
House Team Flag Design
The Community Ambassadors are updating our House Team flags ahead of the 2025 Athletics Carnival! Submit your designs by Friday, Week 9 (March 28) for a chance to have your flag fly high. One winner will be chosen for each team!
2025 Yearbook Cover Design
Got a vision for the 2025 Yearbook cover? Here’s your chance to leave your mark! Submit your design by Week 10, Term 3, 2025 and your artwork could be the face of the 2025 Dripstone Yearbook! Don’t miss out on the chance to showcase your creativity to the whole school!
All entries can be emailed to Ms Koulla - koulla.tomazos1@education.nt.gov.au
DRIPSTONE BREAKFAST CLUB
Join us every school day from 8:00 AM – 8:20 AM for a FREE and delicious meal in the Cooking Room—open to all students!
Enjoy toasted sandwiches, cereal, juice, and toast with a variety of spreads.
2025 YEARBOOK
Due to the popularity of last year’s edition, Dripstone Middle School is excited to once again produce a yearbook for 2025! This special keepsake will highlight our students' activities and achievements throughout the year, providing your family with lasting memories of your child/ren’s school journey.
Preorders for our 2025 Yearbook are now open through the Dripstone Bookroom. Yearbooks are $26.00 each, with full payment is required at the time of ordering. Yearbooks are scheduled for delivery at the end of Term 4. Please call 08 8983 7777 to secure your copy.
DRIPSTONE ALUMNI STORIES
Meet Daniel Wicks and Julian White – proud members of the Dripstone Alumni Series!
From indoor soccer competitions at Dripstone to co-owning a thriving tech business, alumni Daniel Wicks and Julian White share an inspiring journey of friendship and success!
We want to hear about how you have been making your mark on the world since leaving our Dripstone Community!
Be a part of our Dripstone Alumni Series that will showcase the achievements of former Dripstone Middle/High School students and to inspire the current and future generations of Dripstone students!
If you have an exciting and inspiring story to share, please email nektaria.pikoulos@education.nt.gov.au for more information on how to be a part of the Dripstone Alumni Series.
Communications
Stay in the loop on social media! Follow Dripstone Middle School on Facebook and Instagram for regular updates and a glimpse into what's happening at our school!
Dripstone Middle School uses the Compass Manager App to communicate important information, messages and newsletters to parents and families. Parents and carers can also report student absences, view reports and attendance, and contact teachers directly via the Compass app.
To set up your account, parents/carers should have received a notification via the email address supplied to the school. This notification contains your username and password. Download the Compass app and log in using the details listed, then follow the prompts. If you have changed your email address or phone number, please contact the school to update these details.
If you have any issues logging in, please be in touch with the Front Office on 8983 7777.
Parent Contributions
In 2023, we officially opened our brand-new STEAM Centre. This state-of-the-art space is utilised by our STEAM, Science, Technology, Art and Media classes.
In 2025, all money raised in Parent Voluntary Contributions will go towards the purchase of all new tech equipment to fit-out the STEAM Centre. We are aiming to raise a total of $20,000 in 2025. If you’d like to make a contribution, you can do so at our Bookroom, or by calling the Front Office on 8983 7777.
E-SCOOTERS
Electronic scooter (e-scooter) laws in the NT only allow approved hired e-scooters on footpaths, shared paths, bicycle lanes and public spaces. You must be at least 18 years old to ride a hired e-scooter.
Privately owned e-scooters can only be ridden on private property and cannot be used on:
- Roads,
- Footpaths or,
- Other public spaces, including schools.
People riding private e-scooters in public, including to and from school, risk being fined by Police for driving an unregistered and uninsured motor vehicle.
To ensure students safety, e-scooters cannot be used as transport to or from school and cannot be stored on school grounds.
If a students brings an e-scooter onto Dripstone Middle School the e-scooter will be securely stored and their parent/carer will be contacted to make arrangements for the e-scooter to be collected.
Further information can be found at: Electric Scooter and Bikes | NT.GOV.AU
We thank you for your support in ensuring a safe school campus for our students and staff.
Car Park Safety
Drop off and pick up times can be very busy and require everyone to take care and be patient.
Please help keep everyone safe by taking care and only dropping students off in the designated areas. There is a designated student drop-off and pick-up zone via the carpark off Delamere Street, or on Tiwi Gardens Road.
Please note that the Staff Carpark off Willeroo Street is not a designated drop-off and pick-up zone. This area has become a safety risk during drop-off and pick-up times as staff try to park their cars and students need to access their bikes from the Bike Cage that is located near this carpark.
RESTOCKED: DRIPSTONE POLO SHIRTS
We’ve restocked Dripstone Polo Shirts in sizes 14, XS, S, and M!
To purchase, please visit the Front Office during school hours, or call 08 8983 7777. Students with remaining credit on their $200 BTS Voucher can use it for additional shirts—just a reminder that vouchers expire on Friday, April 4, 2025.
Dripstone Shorts and colored House/Sport Shirts will be restocked soon. We’ll update Parents and Carers as soon as they arrive.
Early Departures
Just a reminder that permission for early departure will not be obtained unless the school has authorisation from a parent/caregiver. Parents/caregivers should notify the school, either through a note, Compass notification, email or telephone call to the school on 8983 7777. When students leave the school, they need to sign out at the Front Office before leaving the grounds.
Uniform Policy
As we start a new year, we just want to remind our community that all students should be wearing full school uniform. This consists of the Dripstone shirt and shorts. Black jackets with the school logo are available from our Front Office. If students are wearing alternative jackets or jumpers, they should be only black with no insignias/logos nor should they have hoods on them.
ATTENDING SCHOOL EVERY DAY
We have been working with the Attendance Team to ensure that all students are attending school every day, five days a week.
If your child is sick, they are to stay home. Please contact the school if your child will be LATE or ABSENT from school by calling the Home Liasion Officer, Mr Laqui Papalii on 8983 7758 or 0437 202 004; Ms Karen Newman the Aboriginal Education Officer on 8983 7759, Compass, email or text message. Please feel free to leave messages on our answer machine.
Please contact the school with the reason for their absence. If you child / student is sick for 3 days or more consecutively, the Department requires a medical certificate to cover the period of absence.
COMMUNITY NOTICES
Semester 1 Sports Vouchers are now available! Applications close May 24, 2025.
All children enrolled in school (Transition to Year 12) are eligible to apply for a $100.00 Sports Voucher per semester.
The voucher can be used for sport, recreation, swimming and music lessons.
Click here for more information or to apply for the Sports Vouchers Scheme.