National Science Week

We are in the middle of National Science Week (9th to 17th of August), so we thought it would be the perfect time to share some of the exciting things happening in Science at MPS.

Our brand-new Kitchen Garden is now complete, and it truly is a stunning space. If you haven’t had the chance to see it yet, it’s well worth a visit. Our builders have brought the vision of Emma Powell (mother of Florence Gibson, 5T), Claire and Miss Elisa to life beautifully, creating an area that will be enjoyed by students for many years to come. This week, during Garden lessons, Claire and the students have been working hard to fill all of the wicking beds with soil – just in time for planting as spring draws near.

We were also delighted to welcome Vicki Ward to our school recently. Vicki played a key role in securing funding for our Discovery Centre, so it was a pleasure to show her around and highlight the impact it has had on our learning programs. She was particularly impressed with our frog pond and the new garden area – keep an eye on her socials for some MPS student content soon.

To round off a big week, MPS proudly hosted the Banyule Teachers Environmental Network Meeting on Wednesday afternoon, giving us another chance to showcase our incredible learning spaces and share ideas with other passionate educators.

National Science Week is all about celebrating innovation, curiosity and discovery – and here at MPS, our science spaces and programs are thriving!

Production

The buzz is building for our upcoming school production – 'Monty’s Got Talent' – and excitement is at an all-time high! Rehearsals are in full swing, with students perfecting their lines, polishing their dance moves and bringing their characters to life. We’ve even heard whispers of at-home practice sessions happening in living rooms across Monty – and we love it! The big thing to action now, if you haven’t already, is to buy your tickets! You can purchase them here – be sure you’re selecting the correct night.

Please ensure you have read the all of the inforamtion in the newsfeed sent out on Thursday, 31st of July titled, ‘Monty’s Got Talent Camp’ - School Production Update'. This week there was also a Compass event created for Production. Please make sure you’ve read through the post, completed payment and checked off any costume requirements so your child is performance-ready.

With the talent and energy our students are bringing to rehearsals, Monty’s Got Talent promises to be an unforgettable – and we can’t wait to see our stars shine on stage!

District Athletics Day

On Tuesday, I (Paul) had the pleasure of attending District Athletics – a wonderful chance to step away from the laptop and spend time with students and parents in such a different and fun setting. I was blown away by the determination, sportsmanship and kindness shown by all of our students throughout the day. It was a true reminder of how special our MPS community is, both on and off the track. In fact, we even received a beautiful email from a parent at another school, praising how supportive and encouraging our students were towards competitors outside of their own school/team.

Be sure to check out the 'District Athletics' section later in this newsletter for more from Mrs Costa, including details on an incredible overall result for our school!

Pasta Drive

A big thank you to all the families who supported our recent Pasta Drive – your orders have made a wonderful contribution to our school community. We’re so grateful to those in our community who get behind initiatives like this, as every contribution makes a real difference.

We’re excited to share that a Mango Drive is likely to be on the menu for Term 4 – perfect timing for the warmer months ahead! The total amount raised from the Pasta Drive will be announced soon, with all funds going towards our planned solar upgrade, helping us take another step towards a more sustainable MPS.

Janene Worsam, Principal (Wed - Fri)	janene.worsam@education.vic.gov.au
Paul Wickham, Principal (Mon, Tues) and Assistant Principal	paul.wickham@education.vic.gov.au
Matt Lewis, Learning Specialist (Curriculum)	matthew.lewis@education.vic.gov.au
Ady Wall, Disability Inclusion & Wellbeing	adrienne.wall@education.vic.gov.au
Margarita Strateas, Wellbeing & Engagement	margarita.strateas@education.vic.gov.au

OVERALL SHEILD POINTS
Monty South	421	1st
Lower Plenty	80	6th
Holy Trinity	336	2nd
Montmorency Primary	336	2nd
Sherbourne Primary	91	5th
St Francis Xavier	287	3rd
Briar Hill	103	4th