Principal's Report 

Dear Parents, 

This week all families will receive a link to the 2025 Parent Opinion Survey. I would encourage all families to take some time to let us know how we are tracking across a number of areas. You will have noticed pages in previous newsletters explaining areas of the survey for you to inform your decision. A compilation of these pages will be sent out with the survey link to assist you. 

As has been the case over recent years, we will be raffling off a prize for those families who complete the survey. Simply take a screenshot of the final page and send it through to the office at mackellar.ps@education.vic.gov.au for your chance to win one of two Osprey Drones. 

On other news, all things of late have been revolving around our upcoming production - Age of Reason. This is an event not to be missed. Our students have been madly rehearsing songs, choregraphing dance moves and practising stagecraft. We look forward to a packed house on the evening of September 11.  For tickets, please contact the office. We know tickets for productions can cause a strain to some families, and we would hate for anyone to miss out. If purchasing tickets is difficult for your family, please see Kylie Kennedy or myself to see if we can assist. 

Many families will have dealings with our Wellbeing and Inclusion Leading Teacher - Jo Wood. Jo is currently on leave and will be until the start of term four. If families require assistance in this area, or have current dealings underway and would like to discuss this, please again contact Kylie or myself so we can assist accordingly. 

Finally, a big thank you to those families who completed our BYOiD survey recently regarding iPad use by students.  Whilst school council is still working its way through the survey responses and other information, one request from a parent in the comments section is worth sharing. 

They wanted to know if they should be purchasing their prep child an iPad or not considering our review.  What a great question, as it is normally about now when we ask preps to have a device. Based on what we are reading from parents and investigating around this topic, I would encourage parents to hold off on purchasing any new devices regardless of the year level your chid is in. Allow council some more time to explore this topic and then we can come to you with our position moving forward. I hope that provides some clarity for now as we work through this important issue. 

I look forward to seeing you at the production and who knows, there may even be  a staff item to finish the night off! 

Kind Regards, 

Simon McGlade

Principal