School Picnic Celebration

What a fantastic turnout for our annual school picnic! We were fortunate to have pleasant weather, creating the perfect atmosphere to relax and enjoy each other’s company.

A heartfelt thank you to Miss Nugent and the performing arts group for setting the mood with their passionate and joyful rendition of an uplifting song.

On such a balmy evening, it was wonderful to see parents mingling, soaking in the music, and students playing so happily. A special mention to Theircare for sponsoring, organising, and running the sausage sizzle, which was a hit with our hungry students. We also extend our gratitude to our wonderful parent volunteers—Deb, David, Laura, and Sasha—who helped run the canteen for ice cream sales.

Events like the annual school picnic bring our school community together, providing families with a chance to connect and strengthening our culture of inclusivity and belonging.

Another memorable picnic for all! Thank you to everyone who joined us.

Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden: Garden Program

After an extensive recruitment process, we are thrilled to welcome Ms. Helen Kinross to MPS! With a deep passion for gardening and extensive knowledge of seasonal planting and vegetable garden maintenance, she is eager to share the joy of gardening with our students.

Over the next couple of weeks, Ms. Kinross will assess the current state of our produce gardens. Given their condition, a fresh start may be on the horizon. In the meantime, our Year 3 and 4 students, along with their teachers, will roll up their sleeves for some much-needed weeding and cleanup.

We’re excited to see our cherished garden program come to life once again!

Student Leadership: Student Representative Council

At our school, we take great pride in offering a variety of leadership opportunities for our students. Each class from Year 1 to Year 6 elects two representatives to be part of the Student Representative Council (SRC), a group dedicated to sharing ideas and initiatives that enhance our school community. Their contributions go beyond physical improvements, such as new playground equipment—they also focus on increasing student voice and agency in the classroom.

‘Student Agency’ is about fostering independence, responsibility, and a sense of ownership over learning, helping students feel more engaged and motivated.

At last Friday’s assembly, we proudly presented our newly elected SRC members with their badges. Their enthusiasm was evident, and they are eager to begin their roles. The SRC meets every two to three weeks at lunchtime, with School Captains leading the discussions, supported by teacher mentors.

Congratulations to our 2025 SRC leaders. We look forward to seeing the positive changes our student leaders will bring as they work together to make our school an even better place!

PLAY Ambassadors: Building Leadership Through Play

The PLAY program is one of the first opportunities for our Year 4 students to develop leadership skills while demonstrating care and support for others. As trained PLAY Ambassadors, they take on the important role of organising and running safe, fun games for junior students during lunch breaks throughout the week.

When younger students are looking for something different to do at lunch, they can head over to the junior area and join in the games, knowing they’ll be welcomed and included by our dedicated leaders. Each week, our PLAY Ambassadors meet to plan which games will be run, who will be responsible for setting up, and how they can ensure everyone has a great time.

Through this program, our students not only build confidence and responsibility but also contribute to a positive and inclusive school environment.

Thank you to the Year 4 teachers (and Mr McMahon) for training and providing support to our young leaders.

OPEN DOOR POLICY: Fostering Strong Relationships Through Open Communication

At our school, we value open and respectful communication as a way to strengthen relationships and support our students and families. Both Mrs. Sewell and I prioritise working closely with students to help them navigate any challenges they may face.

We also understand that parents may have questions or need clarification on certain matters. We encourage open conversations so that any concerns can be addressed promptly and effectively. Our door is always open because timely communication helps prevent misunderstandings and ensures everyone feels heard and supported.

By working together in a respectful and solution-focused way, we can continue to build a positive and connected school community.

PARENT - TEACHER DISCUSSIONS

Parent–Teacher discussions will be held on Monday 17th and Tuesday 18th March

Due to the VGSA Industrial Agreement, most interviews will be held during normal work hours and concluding at 5:30pm.

The parent teacher discussion offers parents and teachers an opportunity to share information pertinent to the student’s educational and social-emotional progress. Interviews are strictly 10 minutes long, so we encourage parents to think about the information you would like to share with the teacher beforehand. We’ll post details soon for how parents can book their interview time Compass. Parents and carers will also have the choice of whether to attend the discussion in person or via WebEx.

Chellee Plumb

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