Dear Monty South families,

It is so hard to believe we are now in the countdown until the end of the school year with 9 school days left and 10 for the staff. Time is flying by and we have much to get through before the year is out, but we look forward to the many events that are coming up in the next 9 days to celebrate making it through an incredibly challenging year, with Covid impacting on our lives so heavily. I cannot understate how thankful we are as a school for the wonderful support of our community and the incredible positivity shown to us throughout.

On every school tour I highlight the quality of our school community to potential enrollments. It is without doubt one of our greatest strengths and was only reinforced by just how well our students have made the return to full time face to face learning. Of course, being so close to the end of the school year, things can drop off if we let them, but I would urge all parents to ensure their children are reading every day. This is the most critical factor in education and studies have shown that the holiday period can see students fall backwards in their learning if they are not reading daily. Ensuring your children read every day, perhaps as part of a bedtime routine, will give them an advantage over other students and provide a platform for achievement in 2022

Step Up

Due to the very unusual year we have had, and the fact that we wanted to squeeze as many traditional activities as we possibly could into our final school weeks, we have not been able to organise the full Step up to the next class program. Thankfully we did manage to find two sessions to hold it and the first will be held on Wednesday 8th December and the second on Wednesday 15th December.

We have finalised class lists and we are double checking them, before sending to class teachers, so that they can inform their current students on Wednesday morning of their new classes.

The step-up program is designed to allow students time to get to know their new class and surroundings before the end of the school year. It has been our experience over the many years of running the program, that it reduces anxiety and makes it a much easier return to school in January.

Teachers have gone to great lengths to balance the classes from an academic, social and behavioural point of view as well as provide friendship choices. Our purpose is to give every child a great start to the next school year.

I would like to note that primary school is a time for students to learn to grow, and how to make friends. Very rarely as adults do we remain friends with our primary school friends. This is in part due to the changing developmental stages that primary aged children go through and the refining of their own values. Often a friend made in Prep is not the same choice in Year 4. The ability to make new friends is an essential part of growing up, so we do hope families allow their children the opportunity to settle into their new class and make some new friends when they meet their new class.

The 2022 class structure will be as follows:

Foundation: Kate L’Huillier; Rachael Higgs; Michelle Bardsley; Mitchell Dintinosante

Year 1: Dale Weston; Maddy McLeod; Keera Glass; Maddy McHugh

Year 2: David McFarlane; Tracey Cole; Jess Head; Lori O’Neill

Year 3: Aili Adamson; Karah Hatzimihail; Brad Kendall; Rachel Phillips

Year 4: Eliza Crellin; Nerinda Hodgson; Chris Anagnostou; Katie Borczuch/Lucy Skipper

Year 5: Lachie Holmes; Tegan Caldwell; Bianca Hrovat; Lisa Symons/Chelsea Ross; Daniel Jacobs

Year 6: Andy Glembin; Hayley Hender; Trish Marmo; Rebecca Buckley

Library: Clare Iob

Visual Arts: Sally Cotterill, Jenny Farrelly

Performing Arts: Jude Barry, Emily Kilkenny, Andy Coates

Physical Education: Sharon Moore, Jude Barry

French: Helen Giller, Anna Luberto

Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden (SAKG): Catherine Hulme/Kate Little (Kitchen) Jenny Farrelly (Garden)

ICT/Daily Organiser: Jenny Hutchinson

Learning Support/Data Manager; Tom Davis

Tutoring: Amanda McDonald, Jacqui Rapsey

Indigenous Studies Coordinator: Tara De Bondi

There are also learning support and ES staff to assign to year levels, and this will be done before the end of the year. Please note our numbers will be slightly less next year at 650 students, whilst this year they were at 680. Hence there are 29 classes instead of the 30 this year.

As always, we are looking forward to the new year and a great year in 2022.

MSPS achievers

Congratulations to Zadie Krantz 5D, who has been studying Year 9 maths through the Virtual School. Zadie sat her Year 9 maths exam and managed to score a 97%. This is an incredible score and we wanted to make a shout out to Zadie and tell her we think she is pretty awesome.

Also well done to the following students who have been selected into the Department of Education High Achiever’s program for Term 1 2022.

School Canteen

Last day for lunch orders will be Wednesday 15 December.

School Canteen looking for additional staff

Are you looking for a job that gets you out of the house 1-2 days a week, and is school hours friendly? The team at My Mum & I are looking for enthusiastic and motivated people to join their crew. No previous experience is necessary as training will be provided. The role involves preparation and packing of kids’ lunch orders so being able to work at a fast pace is essential. Working with Children Check (employee) is essential and all applicants must be double vaccinated to work within school grounds. We operate in school kitchens located at SFX Montmorency, Montmorency South Primary, Catholic Ladies College Eltham and St Martin of Tours Rosanna so you need to be flexible to work across any or all locations. Applicants must be available to start by the beginning of term 1 2022. Contact Madelene Martin on 0438 684 468 or email me at madelene.martin@bigpond.com for more details. Hope to hear from you soon.

Student Fundraising

Well done to the Year 6 and Year 4 students who ran two successful fundraising campaigns recently.

The Year 6s sold all the Remembrance Day badges and poppies raising approximately $400 for Legacy

The Year 4s raised more than $1300 for Kids with Cancer Foundation. They sold badges and ribbons and also ran a walk-a-thon to raise funds.

Student Masks

This is a reminder that students in years 3 to 6 are required to wear a face mask indoors whilst at school. Students in Prep to Year 2 are strongly advised to wear one.

We are currently experiencing an increase in requests from students to supply. We cannot provide face masks to all student who require one. Students should bring their own face mask to school and we recommend that they also bring a back-up mask should their mask breaks or they forget one.

Covid-19 Update

Thanks once again to everyone for doing your best to adhere to the public health advice. Fingers crossed, we still have not had a case here at Monty South whilst many of our neighbouring schools have. Please keep up the great work. Only two weeks to go.

‘Stay at home when unwell and get tested’ policy

It is important to note that rapid antigen testing does not replace PCR testing for the purpose of diagnosis of COVID-19 in children, staff and students, regardless of their vaccination status. Anyone unwell must remain at home and get tested with a PCR test, even with the mildest of symptoms, regardless of a negative rapid antigen test result.

Please find the latest information from the DET relating to our response to Covid-19. This attached document provides information about at-home rapid antigen tests and information relating to the school’s close contact management.

Rapid antigen testing in schools

Should a student test positive to Covid-19, the DET have introduced a rapid antigen testing program. This is an opt-in program. Parent and carers can decide whether their child should participate in this program.

These tests will be offered to unvaccinated students who are primary close contacts (PCCs). It is our understanding that when a positive test is received, the school will be provided with rapid antigen test kit for families opting-in. These will be free for families. The at-home rapid antigen testing is for:

students who are primary close contacts – it is not for household primary close contacts (who live in the same household as a person with COVID-19)
unvaccinated and partially vaccinated primary close contacts only. Vaccinated primary close contacts are already able to leave isolation after seven days and a negative PCR test
the purpose of attending the school the student is enrolled at only. Students cannot attend education activities offsite. Students must otherwise stay at home for their period of self-quarantine.

Students must return a negative day six PCR test before returning to school. Students must then undertake a daily rapid antigen test at home on each school day between days eight and 14. To attend school they must return a negative test result each day before arriving at school, and report that result no later than 8:30am. Their testing period then finishes on day 14. Schools are required to hold and record the information provided by the PCCs.

Car Parking Complaints and Reminders

Kiss and Drop area

This area is a quick-drop zone. Please do not park here and walk away. You must stay in or next to your car until the bell rings and students are dismissed. It is important that we keep this line of cars moving. Please move on as soon as your child/children are safely in the car. Parking in non-designated parking areas and cars that are parked in the kiss and drop zone, cause erratic and dangerous driving. Please remember to do the right thing to keep everyone safe.

Grand Boulevard Mall

Please be reminded that the Grand Boulevard Mall car park is for patrons of the business centre only. We have received complaints of people being late to appointments because they cannot find a park in the patron’s car park or on the street at pick up time. If parents use the car-park at pick up time in particular, patrons with appointments are unable to attend their appointments on time. Businesses have struggled the last 2 years and it is important that we all help them to re-establish themselves. Please allow additional time to find a car park nearby rather than use this park. Thank you.

Community Library

Our Community Library is now being utilised which is great to see. Thanks to everyone who has added new books to share.

Because the library is located within the school grounds, students are looking at the books during their break; an added benefit to having this library. We have had several books however returned to the office as “lost property”. They are most likely now to be Community Library books left in the playground.

If your child/children bring their own books to school, we would like to suggest that you name your books. This might avoid any confusion if lost.

We would also like to ask that when you add new books to the library that you are mindful of the content of the books. The library is un-manned and we wish to avoid any inappropriate content to the students.

Colouring Competition

Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete a colouring-in for our Eltham Copper Butterfly Colouring competition. We had many excellent entries so it was a hard choice selecting the winners. The seven winners will be announced at assembly on the last day of school. Thanks to the Hurstbridge Line Duplication Project for the prizes.

Parents and Friends’ Committee Activities

Hamper raffle – Thanks to everyone who donated either a gold coin or goodies for the Christmas hampers.

The raffle will be drawn at Assembly on 16 Dec. You can purchase tickets via CompassTix at $1 each. Min. purchase $2 https://compasstix.com/e/kpggirt4v2

Second hand Uniform Sale – Tuesday 7th December, 8.30am - 9am. Cash only sales.

Colour Fun Run – Friday 10th December

Please note that to participate in the Colour Fun Run a $5 payment is required. Parents/carers must also consent to the event via Compass. https://montysouth-vic.compass.education/Organise/Activities/Events/Should your child not wish to participate, alternative arrangements during the grades time slot will be made.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

2021 Step up Dates:
- Wednesday 8th Dec, 10am to 2pm – whole school
- Wednesday 15th Dec, 9am to 11.30am – whole school

Thursday 16th December – Final day of school 2021. Finish time is 3.30pm
- A whole school assembly will be held in the morning. Family members of YEAR 6 ONLY are welcome to attend. Adults attending school premises must show evidence of vaccination.
- Year 5 students successful in their applications for a leadership role in Yr 6 will be advised prior to this date. A formal ceremony for the leadership roles will occur early next year.

2022 Dates

Monday 24th January - School Administration will return
Tuesday 1st February - Year 1-6 Students return to school
Wednesday 2nd February - Prep assessments being
Thursday 3rd February - Prep students begin school
Wednesday 27th July - Pupil-free Curriculum Day
Friday 16th September - Pupil-free Curriculum Day
Monday 31st October - Pupil-free Curriculum Day (Day before Melb Cup)
Monday 19th December – Final day of school for students
Tuesday 20th December - Pupil-free Curriculum Day

Montmorency South PS Newsletter

Issue 15 · 06 Dec 2021

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