Principal's report

Welcome back to a new school year and a new decade!  WOW what a start.

The children have returned ready for another year of learning and growing together and the classes have settled with a calm atmosphere.  Our new Foundation students started full time yesterday after last week completing their entry assessments. No more Wednesdays for this year, we are straight into learning and getting along. Just a reminder your class teacher is the first post of call should you have something to discuss.  Remember to make a mutual time so that the teacher can attend to your item.

Staffing Welcomes:

This year we welcome Mr. Tim Cannan (1/2), Ms. Nadia Lopez (5/6), Ms.Elizabeth Kandiliotis (1/2) and Ms. Deesa Walsh (3/4).  All new members have slipped into the teaching teams like 'hands into gloves.' I offer our congratulations and best wishes to Ms. Bree White, Ms. Cassie McIntosh and Ms. Emma Campbell who will be going on maternity leave at the end of this term or early Term 2. 

The Welcome Basket Tea

This is part of the tradition of Moonee Ponds West and is on Friday February 14th from 5.30pm.  It is BYO everything and families take over the oval area.  Our Parent Representatives from 2019 have suggested class area signs to help with the getting to know you idea.  Of course, you can sit where and with who you like but this could add another aspect to the night. Teachers will be there at the beginning to welcome you. 

The Coronavirus

When any new updates are available they will be circulated via COMPASS.  Please ensure you check this main communication tool as there is much information especially at the beginning of the year.

Mobile Phones in schools

Mobile Phones in schools: From the beginning of this current school year personal mobile phones and other personal devices that can access the internet that come to school with students MUST be housed in the General Office at the beginning of the day (before 9.00) and collected after the end of day bell (3.30-3.45).  This move is to enable students to focus on their learning without distraction. It is also a move to reduce cyber-bullying and harassment during school hours.  My suggestion:  unless your child must have their phone/apple watch/other similar device with them for safety reasons, then leave them safely at home.  Children who attend Before or After Care will experience the same guidelines.

Newsletter frequency

This year we are moving to newsletters fortnightly.  Now that we have COMPASS, the reliance on information via this one form has been reduced.  The newsletter will always be the schools face, but not the only means of communicating with the community.

School Contributions/Family Payments:

Late last week your child (eldest in the family) had a special letter for you. It outlined the structure of the School Contributions for 2020. The structure of payments each year is carefully considered by the Resources (including Finance Committee) Sub-Committee of School Council and the collection ensures that MPWPS offers a rich experience based learning environment.  All payments are collected by the end of Term 1.  I urge your attention to this matter.  Lost the letter? Didn’t get it?  It’s not in the bottom of the bag? Give Sandra Monaghan (Business Manager) a call.  Also speak to Sandra about anything financial.  We are here to help.

Community Calendar 

We are finalising some dates and hope to have this up beginning week 3 on COMPASS in the Community Calendar section. Please look for important dates.

Parent teacher Interviews

We have taken feedback from teachers and parents to strengthen the previous Information Evenings into a Parent Teacher Interview structure after school in Week 7. There will be one late night until 7.00pm.  The Parent Teacher Interview will continue to be an opportunity for you to share important information about your child, but your teacher will have spent valuable time with your child and will be in a position to share some learning goals.  Again, bookings will be available on COMPASS. 

It may be necessary for the Foundation teachers to have an Information Evening before this date, for the general information (the nuts and bolts) about the class for parents.  They will be communicating separately so look for this information again through COMPASS.

Well that’s about it from me. Until we meet in person have a wonderful week settling your family back into the new school year and routines.

Sincerely

Kerri J Simpson

Principal (Acting at MPWPS)