Dear School Community Members,

Digital Learning – “just 5 more minutes”:

Following on from the information presented recently regarding managing technology time at home, we have more and more families seeking the assistance in managing technology, screen time and setting up a cyber-safe environment for their children. It is vital that families have in place ‘screen time agreements’ with their child/ren to minimise the “just 5 more minutes” syndrome. It is also essential families are familiar with some of the functions that are available to make the ‘net’ safer for their children. Below is some of these functions families may consider, as well an example of a ‘Screen Time’ agreement. Other examples are available from searching the web, but remember to engage your child/ren in the setting up of these agreements.

Harmony Week – week of Monday, 16th March:

Harmony Week is a time where we come together to celebrate and recognise the diversity within our community and country. It is all about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. Mano will be celebrating Harmony week with a number of activities. This will include:

A launch of Harmony Week at Assembly on Monday
Students are invited to wear a touch of orange on Wednesday, 18th March (this could be a wrist band, socks, hair tie etc…)
A whole school ‘Harmony’ photo will be taken on Friday, 20th March with the use of a drone on the Middle Terrace
Classroom activities that acknowledge and celebrate the diversity across our community and country

We look forward to sharing further information about Mano’s Harmony Week next week.

Teacher Collaborative Planning:

Our 2026 School Improvement Plan is guided by our strategic intent that every student has access to high quality instruction and wellbeing supports with minimal variation between classrooms. To achieve this, staff work tirelessly within our professional learning sessions to further develop our collective capacity and individual practices. As part of this, each teaching team has two hours of uninterrupted planning time together. These weekly planning sessions allow teachers to plan collaboratively. Educational research reinforces the strong benefits for students when teachers plan their lessons in a rich collaborative environment. This includes teachers sharing ideas and strategies, teachers exposed to new practices by their colleagues, and teachers being accountable to their team. Students will engage in their specialist curriculum areas of Visual Arts, Performing Arts, PE and STEM whilst their classroom teacher participates in their weekly collaborative planning session. I am confident this planning approach will continue to maximise each student having access to high quality instruction and wellbeing supports with minimal variation between classrooms.

Save the Date - 2026 Mano Concert:

I am thrilled to announce the date for our 2026 Concert!

Date: Thursday, 5th November

Time: 6:30pm

Venue: Coast Hall, Geelong

More details will be available as we get closer.

Student safety – School Crossings:

The Greater City of Geelong have informed Mano, and the schools surrounding us, that the School Crossing Supervisors have reported an increase in students riding their bikes across the road rather than dismounting before entering the crossing. This behaviour poses significant safety risks—not only to the students on bikes, but also to other pedestrians and the supervisors managing the crossing.

Riding through a crossing can lead to:

Reduced visibility and reaction time for both the student and approaching vehicles.
Loss of control, especially in wet weather or crowded crossing areas.
Increased risk of collisions with other students who are walking.
Confusion for drivers, who expect pedestrians—not cyclists—within the crossing space.

To maintain a safe and consistent environment across all school crossings, it is essential that all students dismount and walk their bikes across the road every time.

Every Day Counts:

As many of you will be aware, our student ‘absence’ rates continue to be something that we monitor regularly.

As a result, we have been promoting the importance of student attendance underpinned by the motto of, ‘Every Day Counts’. While we achieved an improvement in our attendance rates in 2025, we will continue to invest in maximising attendance for all students.

Regular attendance at school plays a vital role for students to achieve their academic potential, as well as setting up a wonderful foundation for their social and emotional development. We hope the table below highlights the importance of regular attendance to school.

How many days will your child miss this semester?

0-6 This is within the normal range. The child can take advantage of the teaching and learning opportunities available to them, as well develop healthy relationships with peers.

7 – 10 This attendance rate is below average. A child with this attendance rate could miss over one year of schooling between Prep and Year 10.

11- 20 This is a poor attendance rate. A child with this attendance rate could miss up to two years of schooling between Prep and Year 10.

To miss two years of school between Prep and Year 10 places significant risk on any student. It goes without saying that regular absenteeism from school won’t do your child any favours. Allowing your child to skip days simply because they “don’t feel like going to school” should not be an option.

Our school provides support and strategies for families to assist regular school attendance. We encourage any family to contact Mrs Geary or myself to discuss their child’s attendance at school.

More information will be provided in the coming weeks on how we plan to support our students with higher than normal absent rates.

Thank you for supporting our school and have a great week.

Christian Smith

Junior School Council