Principal's Report 

Dear families and friends of MPW

The end of the year is nearly here. This will be the last edition of the newsletter for the year. 

I wanted to begin by acknowledging that Elisha has been absent on sick leave the past few weeks. Elisha is managing a health issue and is unlikely to return before the end of the year.  Whilst wanting to be able to return, she needs to prioritise her health.  We wish her well and hope for her to get better soon.

I would like to thank the teaching, education support and administration staff who have continued to strive for the best learning outcomes for all students in the school throughout the year.

Thank you to all of our parents who have been able to help the school throughout the year to ensure the best opportunities can be offered for our students, including our Parent Class Representatives, parent volunteers for camps/excursions/school events, classroom helpers, volunteers for fundraising and our School Council members. Without this support, many of these activities wouldn’t be achievable or to the standard that we are able to offer.

Our Parent Helpers morning tea is this Thursday 11am-12pm in the gym, this is our way of thanking you for your support.

Last Day of School

A reminder that school finishes for the year on Friday 20th December at 1.30pm. There will be a final assembly on the basketball court at 12:15pm (weather permitting). Parents and carers are welcome to attend. We use this time to acknowledge those leaving the school, farewell our year 6 students and draw out the Christmas raffle. 

Families leaving MPW 

As the school year ends, we will be saying farewell to families who have had a long association with the school over time.  I would like to thank our departing families for their support, encouragement and contribution over the years.  

Congratulations and best of luck to our year 6 students who move on to the next stage of their education.

Other Up Coming Events include 

• Parent Helpers morning tea- Thursday 12th December 11am-12pm

• Colour Fun Run – Thursday 12th December (official start 1pm)

• Semester 2 Reports published to families- Friday 13th December

• Year 6 Graduation – Tuesday 17th December

• Year 5/6 Picnic Day – Thursday 19th December

• Last day of school – Friday 20th December 1.30pm dismissal

Class Placement for 2025

Today, we had our transition morning. Your child was able to meet their class and teacher for 2025. The morning was full of excitement and was a positive experience. We have placed all students with at least one friend from their list. 

We ask that parents be mindful to support your child to focus on the positive aspects of their placement for next year, as this process is extensive (with a range of information provided from families, staff and students for consideration) and at times students and/or parents may not be happy with their placement initially. 

Teachers have taken significant time over many weeks to consider social and academic mix of the students, and we have considered the important information provided by all to best place students within the structure for next year. The session ran smoothly this morning.

Staffing for 2025

I am pleased that our staffing has been finalised for 2025 and as always there are some small changes. I would like to acknowledge those staff members who will not be with us in the 2025 school year:  Miriam Daly, Hayley Wedge, Robyn Patrick, Kellie Meehan, Carley Allan and Carla Goodburn. We would like to thank them for their contributions and commitments to MPW and our students. For those who are moving on to other opportunities we wish you all the best for 2025.

We welcome a new staff member in 2025, Kristy Bedford, who is an experienced teacher and is excited to join the MPW community.

Teaching Teams for 2025

Foundation Team:

Daniel English, Emma Hammond & Anna Sneddon and Toula Fenech

Year 1/2 Team:

Kim Simmons, Hailey Nguyen, Sophie Hedditch and Jasmin Fiske

Year 3/4 Team:

Fiona McKenzie, Cassie McIntosh & Adele Perrottet, Melanie Beissel and Kristy Bedford

Year 5/6 Team:

Jess Greenbaum, Lachlan Meyer and Lisa McLachlan

Specialist Team:

 Bree White (PE), Sue Phillips and Helen Lockart (Creative Arts), Cindy Xu (Japanese)

Intervention support- Dilek Yarici

First day of 2025 

The first day back for all year 1 to year 6 students in 2025 is Thursday 30th January at 9am. The Foundation (prep) students will begin on Tuesday 4th February after they have completed their Foundation assessments. 

Teachers and staff will be back at school on Tuesday 28th and Wednesday 29th January, which are our first two Curriculum Days for the year focused on induction, planning and preparation for the new year. 

MVIMP

Last Thursday we held the MVIMP demonstration concert, where MVIMP tutors and some senior students perform as part of a demonstration of the program. Information will be shared at the beginning of next week to families with information and instructions on how to register your intention to participate in 2025. The MVIMP program is open to all students in years 2 to 6. 

After conducting a community survey at the end of term 3 of the MVIMP program, reflecting on 40 years of operation, the four schools have reviewed the feedback provided which included the strengths and benefits of the program for students, and suggestions for enhancing the program for the future. There was overwhelming support and recommendation of the program by current users across all four schools. There was also a significant interest in the inclusion of new instruments into the MVIMP offerings. In 2025, guitar will be added to MVIMP as an additional instrument into the program to complement the existing bass guitar.

Further information about the MVIMP program can be found in this year’s MVIMP family handbook.

SoundGarage

SoundGarage will be returning in 2025. We will be working with them on their offerings for next year and communication about their program will be distributed before the end of the year. 

Semester 2 Reports 

On Friday the Semester 2 Reports will be published on Compass. There is a change to the way we are reporting on the updated Mathematics curriculum. Please find attached a letter explaining the change.

School Saving Bonus

Please find attached some further information and user guide regarding the $400 School Saving Bonus.

Fun Run

Lastly, a reminder that Thursday is the Colour Fun Run down at Maribyrnong Park. Bree has been sending out some reminders and updates the past couple of days.

The goal is for a 1pm official start to the Fun Run. 

A reminder that students are encouraged to wear old shoes that can be ‘coloured’ / dirtied and wear a white or neutral t-shirt that will highlight the colour powder that will be part of the run. Parents and families are welcome to come down to enjoy the day.

It will be a great t whole school and community event to celebrate and enjoy as we lead into the end of the year.

Regards,

Jarrod

Principal