PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Milgate Primary School would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land of the Wurundjeri People and we would like to pay our respects to the elders both past and present. Staff, students and the school community understand that we thrive, learn and live on Wurundjeri Country and we stand with all cultures united as one.
BOOK WEEK
In 2023, Book Week in Victoria is celebrated with great enthusiasm and purpose, honouring the profound impact that literature has on our lives. This annual event serves as a reminder of the power of books to inspire, educate, and entertain people of all ages. As technology continues to reshape how we engage with information, Book Week stands as a testament to the enduring relevance of printed words whilst acknowledging the transformative tools of the 21st Century. It's a time when communities come together to foster a love for reading, promote literacy, and recognise the authors and illustrators who transport us to new worlds through their words. Here are some ways that Milgate Primary School celebrated Book Week this year:
BOOK WEEK PARADE
Our students had a wonderful time participating in our sustainable Book Week Parade, weaving together literary celebrations and environmental consciousness. The parade saw students proudly showcasing their imaginative costumes crafted from upcycled materials and embodying characters from beloved stories. The creative reuse of items demonstrated our commitment to sustainable practices in a fun and engaging way.
Parents and guardians joined us to support their children's efforts, witnessing first-hand the remarkable outfits that emerged from upcycled costumes and repurposed materials. The parade became a vibrant display of not only literary characters but also our dedication to nurturing a greener future.
Through this unique event, we aimed to instil the importance of resourcefulness and mindful consumption in our students, fostering a sense of responsibility for our planet. The sustainable Book Week Parade truly captured the essence of our commitment to literature, the Milgate spirit of fun and creativity, and sustainability. We aimed to make new memories and leave a low footprint on the Earth. Thank you all for celebrating with us.
AUTHOR VISIT - Marc Martin
Milgate Primary School was honoured to welcome author and illustrator, Marc Martin for a special visit to celebrate Book Week. Marc shared his creative bookmaking and illustrative processes with our Foundation to Year 2 students.
A highlight of the visit was seeing Marc’s original drawings, his storyboards, and the hands-on activities where our students had the chance to design their own front covers for a book about Milgate Primary School.
Marc's visit not only enriched our students' understanding of the art of storytelling but also encouraged them to continue seeing their own school experiences through a creative lens that can be used in their writing. The visit from Marc Martin left a lasting impression, his bold colours, unique perspectives, and calm nature demonstrated how communicating your inner world, with the world around, can be a source of inspiration for others.
BOOK SWAP
Thank you to our wonderful Parents and Friends Committee for organising such a successful Book Swap event! Over the past few weeks they have been collecting books, kindly donated by our wonderful Milgate families. It was a resounding success, with students enthusiastically trading their favourite reads, informational books and exploring new literary worlds. The event promoted sustainable practices and nurtured a sense of connection among our young readers as they shared their literary passions with one another. Thank you for your hard work for everybody involved.
PARENTS READING IN HOME LANGUAGES
As a special highlight of Book Week, parents have warmly participated in reading sessions at Milgate Primary School, sharing stories in diverse home languages. From Hindi and Arabic to Cantonese, English, and Italian, these engaging sessions celebrated linguistic diversity and communication through stories. This initiative during Book Week enhances our students' appreciation for various languages and provides a platform for students to connect with their own, and others’ cultures. A heartfelt thank you to those parents who volunteered their time and were able to come and read with our students, we genuinely appreciate you all.
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
YEAR 5 POETRY SLAM
2SK ACTIVITY ROTATIONS
6CH BOOK SHARING
YEAR 5 INCURSION | SMOOTHIE BAR
On Monday 21st August, the Year 5s participated in a whole day incursion, run by Mini Boss. The Smoothie Bar experience stepped the students through the different stages of the Marketing Process.
In this incursion, students were challenged to create a smoothie product and marketing campaign that promoted health and wellness within their community.
Working in teams, students partook in market research, design and costs for their smoothies. They researched nutritional benefits, then blended and tested their smoothies.
Using creativity, students developed marketing materials to promote and sell their product. Then it came down to The Pitch – which team best presented their research, findings, results and marketing to a panel of sharks (teacher judges)?
STUDENT CONGRATULATIONS
A big congratulations to Mathias (5RC) and Nathan C (4YC) who have recently taken place in the Ringwood, Boroondara and Monash Music Eisteddfod and Festivals.
Nathan Received an Honourable mention in the 10 years and under Piano Solo.
Mathias received First Place in the Monach Music Festival for 12 years and under Piano Solo.
Mathias also placed 3rd in the Boroondara Eisteddfod Piano solo for 12 years and under
And they both received 2nd place in the Piano Duet at the Ringwood Eisteddfod.
A great effort Mathias and Nathan ! Well Done.
PLANNING WEEK
Next week, our teachers will engage in curriculum and learning program preparation for our students. Each year level's teaching staff will be granted half a day to collaboratively plan within their respective teams as well as analyse our 2023 NAPLAN data. During these planning sessions, relief teachers will supervise each grade for three sessions. The designated Planning Days are outlined as follows:
- Monday - Year 3 and Year 6
- Tuesday - Year 4
- Wednesday - Year 2 and Year 5
- Thursday - Foundation and Year 1
FATHERS AND SPECIAL FRIENDS DAY CELEBRATIONS
On Friday, September 1st, we warmly welcome fathers and special friends to join us in commemorating their influence on our lives. A delightful breakfast will be provided for their enjoyment, followed by participation in a unique activity alongside the students in their classrooms from 8:50 to 9:30am.
MATHEMATICS UPDATE
In the realm of education, change is a constant force, shaping the way we teach and learn. Particularly in the field of mathematics, where foundational skills lay the groundwork for future success, adaptation is key. Milgate’s commitment to nurturing well-rounded, numerically proficient students is reflected in the way we approach mathematics teaching and learning.
Holistic Numeracy Development
Gone are the days of viewing mathematics in isolation. It is imperative that we integrate numeracy skills across subjects and real-life contexts. We foster transdisciplinarity by connecting mathematical skills with the PYP units of inquiry, enabling students to perceive the practical applications of mathematical concepts in various fields. Some examples include students in Year 4 collecting data about their use of technology in their How the World Works unit or Foundation students exploring the mathematics found in picture story books in their How We Express Ourselves unit.
Individualised Learning Journeys
Recognising that every student is unique, we emphasise personalised learning experiences here at Milgate. It encourages educators to employ diverse teaching strategies that cater to different learning styles and paces. By tailoring education to individual needs, students are empowered to grasp mathematical concepts more profoundly. In the classroom, this looks like enabling and extending prompts that teachers design with their students in mind, adapting lessons and providing students with opportunities to solve problems in unique and efficient ways - not just relying on algorithms.
Assessment for Growth
Assessment is no longer confined to grading; it's a tool for growth. At Milgate, we highlight the importance of formative assessment – ongoing evaluations that provide insights into student progress. Teachers utilise assessment data to adapt their teaching methods, ensuring that no student is left behind. This occurs daily during lessons through observations, analysing student work samples, conferring with individual students and small focus groups.
Cultivating Mathematical Mindsets
A growth mindset is a powerful tool in mastering mathematics. We nurture a positive attitude towards the subject by promoting perseverance and resilience. Teachers create a classroom environment that celebrates effort and embraces challenges, ultimately fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Having open-ended and challenging problems to solve ensures that students understand the importance of the process, not purely the product. The use of the Learning Pit highlights how we move from not knowing to knowing in our learning journey.
Equity and Inclusion
Inclusivity lies at the heart of Milgate’s vision for mathematics education. Our focus on equity ensures that every student, regardless of background, receives the support they need to succeed. Teachers address barriers to learning and provide targeted interventions in class to bridge gaps in numeracy skills.
As we journey forward, let us remember that education is a collaborative effort. Teachers, parents, and school leaders all play vital roles in nurturing the mathematical prowess of our young minds. Let's embrace these changes with open arms, fostering a love for numbers that will empower our students to excel in any path they choose.
For more information about how mathematics is changing, read the article in The Conversation, ‘Why would they change maths?’ How your child’s maths education might be very different from yours. Here: https://tinyurl.com/2p8y4ej8
Stay curious and keep counting!
DOGS IN THE SCHOOL GROUNDS
This is just a reminder, that should you bring your dog on Milgate grounds, it is your responsibility to ensure proper waste disposal of your dog’s excrement. Unfortunately this week, we had to clean up some dog faeces to prevent any students or teachers encountering it.
RESILIENCE PROJECT'S KIDS SHOW IN THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
'Join The Resilience Project’s high-energy Kids Show in the term three school holidays across Victoria this September! Through music, storytelling and plenty of laughs, Martin Heppell’s show “3 Happy Tricks" provides children and their parents practical strategies for ways to be happier and more resilient. Don’t miss out!
Tickets are on sale now at https://theresilienceproject.com.au/kids-shows.