Here we are at the end of a positive and productive school year with only one day remaining before a well deserved holiday break.

MPS has a clear wellbeing vision: to cultivate a strong sense of community and belonging within an inclusive, supportive environment where happy, healthy and resilient staff and students can perform at their best. Even in the final days of the school year, when staff, students and families are understandably ready for a rest, our community has continued to demonstrate positivity, kindness and respect. This is reflected in the numerous parents and students thanking the staff for a wonderful year and our exceptionally strong results from both the Attitudes to School Survey and the Parent/Carer Opinion Survey, which indicate that we are achieving our vision. (Parent Opinion Survey: Positive environment for learning : 93% positive; Student Opinion Survey: School connectedness: “I feel happy to be at this school” – 95%).

A positive school culture doesn’t happen by chance. It’s built through a shared vision and consistent, deliberate actions each day. Together, we have achieved our wellbeing vision and will continue to support one another as we move confidently into the 2026 school year.

On Tuesday, we celebrated our Year 6 students with a graduation assembly and evening ceremony, sharing the occasion with families who could clearly see just how much these young people have grown. Thank you to our parents and carers for your ongoing partnership and support in guiding such capable, confident learners who carry the MPS values with them as they move forward.

To our graduating students, we are incredibly proud of the maturity, calm and leadership you have shown, helping to set a positive tone for the whole school and making the end of the year a particularly smooth and memorable one.

2025

As this is the final newsletter for 2025, I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of Mrs Sewell, Mrs Houghton, the staff and myself, to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday with your family and friends.

We also wish any students and their families moving to new schools in 2026 all the very best for the future and thank you for your support and involvement at MPS.

SCHOOL CAPTAINS

A valued tradition at MPS is welcoming our former School Captains back to share their experiences and advice with our graduating Year 6 students as they prepare for secondary school. This year, we thank our 2024 captains, Harry B and Lily Z, whose thoughtful words had the Year 6 students listening with admiration and many nodding in agreement.

Throughout 2025, our School Captains—Lauren K, Dhyey D, Xavier R and Ella G—have consistently modelled exemplary standards and been positive role models within our school community. It has been a pleasure to see their confidence, public speaking and leadership skills grow, both individually and as a cohesive team, inspiring students across the school.

2026 School Captains

Following a thorough selection process, our 2026 School Captains were formally announced and presented to the school community at the graduation assembly. We are pleased to congratulate Ryan T and Lucy Z as School Captains, with Mathias B and Aria G appointed as Vice Captains. We are confident they will take on board the guidance shared by our outgoing leaders and step into their roles with responsibility and integrity. We look forward to working closely with this leadership team in the year ahead.

YEAR 6 GRADUATION

On Tuesday, we walked into the school hall admiring the stunning decorations which set the celebratory tone for our year 6 students for their special graduation ceremony. Spending hours in planning and taking action to create the scene was a dedicated group of parents. We’d like to thank: Meg H, Maria R, Eleni C, Amanda M, Noami Z and Jen G.

OAKLEIGH ELECTORATE-'COMMUNITY BUILDERS' AWARD

The Honourable Steve Dimopoulos MP, Member for Oakleigh and Victorian Minister for the Environment, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, and Minister for Outdoor Recreation attended our graduation assembly to present the Community Builders Award for a student who has excelled as a community-minded citizen.

Our well-deserved recipient of this award for 2025 was Xavier R.

HOTHAM COMMUNITY SPIRIT AND LEADERSHIP AWARD

The Honourable Clare O’Neil Federal Member for Hotham , although absent from our assembly, awards a student who consistently displays leadership in various fields in the Hotham Community Spirit Award.

The award was presented to Ella G, a worthy winner!

REG BOLLARD & GEORGE ANDERSON AWARD

The Rats of Tobruk Association represents the soldiers who fought in World War II, recognised for the courage, mateship, respect and integrity they demonstrated throughout their service. Two of these soldiers, Reg Bollard and George Anderson, attended our school as young students. This new award honours a student who exemplifies the resilience and values upheld by the Rats of Tobruk.

The worthy recipient receiving the award was Amelia H.

OAKLEIGH TECHNICAL SCHOOL SOCIETY AWARD

Now in it’s fourth year, the gentlemen from the original Oakleigh Technical School also presented an award to a student who demonstrated commitment, determination and resilience through school. The recipient may not be the highest academic achiever but they consistently show perseverance, motivation and a willingness despite challenges.

This year the award was presented to Ava S.

M.P.S. AWARDS

Specialist teachers also have the joy of awarding students who have excelled in their various subject disciplines.

Mathematics Award	Lauren K
English Award	Arissa B
Sport Award	Connor M
House Captain Award	Frankie D
Performing Arts Award	Dhyey D
Ambassador of the Arts	Ashley C and Adrian U
Visual Arts Award	Scarlett L
LOTE Award	Charlotte B and Mika M
Resilience Award	Chloe C
Responsibility Award	Will G
Relationships Award	Beth M
Respect Award	Federico S
STEM Award	Maddie G

MURRUMBEENA WINNERS

We have thoroughly enjoyed spending the year with MPS students this year. We’ve watched them mature, conquer challenges and do their best to embody the school’s values. In our eyes, they are all winners.😊

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

A school truly thrives because of the collective efforts of many people—our cleaners, technicians, kitchen, garden and maintenance team, teaching assistants, office staff and teachers. I extend my sincere thanks to all our staff, students, parents and carers for your valuable contributions throughout 2025. Wishing everyone a joyful Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year.

School will resume for Grade 1-6 students on Wednesday 28 January while our new prep students will commence on Monday 2 February 2026.

Chellee Plumb

Murrumbeena P.S. Newsletter

Excellence Through Endeavour

Issue 22 · 18 Dec 2025

In this issue