Dear Students, Parents, Carers and Families

It has been a busy week with our whole school photos on Wednesday and students actively engaged in their learning as we pass the term's half way mark. Our students from Foundation and throughout the year levels have settled in so well and we are so proud of them all.

Student Leadership Badge Presentation Assembly

Last Friday was a very exciting time for so many parents, staff and students as we presented over 60 students with leadership badges! We were fortunate to have our local member for Narre Warren North, MP Belinda Wilson, present the badges to our leaders and I express our great appreciation to her for giving up her time so readily. It was a great pleasure to formally welcome our students into their leadership roles for the 2024. I look forward to working alongside our Year 5/6 leaders throughout the year and I am incredibly impressed with their initiative and their willingness to jump straight into their leadership work. Thank you to our families who also took the opportunity to attend, a special moment for our families and a great highlight for our students.

Cultural Diversity Week

This year, the Cultural Diversity Week theme is Our Shared Stories – Celebrating Together which asks us to reflect on our own experiences and recognise how each story has the potential to create shared connections and understanding. It is about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. Maramba Primary School will be celebrating Harmony Day on Thursday 21st March. All students are encouraged to come dressed in their cultural clothes or wear something orange for our special Harmony day morning assembly. Students will also participate in a range of activities to promote inclusiveness and belonging. This could include reading stories about families from different cultures, completing artwork to signify cultural diversity and participating in cultural games or sports.

Years 5 and 6 Camp

This year, our students in Years 5 and 6 have the opportunity to attend the CYC Forest Edge Camp from 29th to 31st May. Camp experiences serve as extensions of the learning that takes place in the classroom, allowing students to apply their knowledge in practical settings and develop valuable life skills. Communication has been sent out via XUNO requesting a $40 deposit to secure a spot. The deadline for the deposit is 22nd March.

Berwick District Swimming Carnival

Congratulations to our selected Year 3-6 students who participated in the district swimming carnival today. Participating alongside students from other local schools, our students represented themselves and our school with a true reflection of our school values on display. Well done! Thank you to Mr Watling and Ms Foley for supporting such a wonderful day for our students.

NAPLAN for Years 3 and 5

Commencing Wednesday 13th March, our Year 3 and Year 5 students will be undertaking the annual NAPLAN assessments. NAPLAN assesses student knowledge and skills in writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. You can help your child prepare for NAPLAN by reassuring them that it is just one part of their school program, and by reminding them on the day to simply try their best. We use the data from these assessments to support our students in their learning.

Students are currently being supported by staff in preparing for NAPLAN by becoming familiar with the online platform and the types of questions that will be asked. While the testing period is 13th-19th March, catch up tests will be available for individual students who are absent on test days, up to and including Monday 25th March 2024.

Here is the testing schedule:

Writing

Reading

Conventions of Language

Numeracy

Year 3

Wednesday 13th March

On Paper

Thursday 14th March

Online

Friday 15th March

Online

Monday 18th March

Online

Year 5

Wednesday 13th March

Online

Thursday 14th March

Online

Monday 18th March

Online

Tuesday 19th March

Online

If you have any concerns about your Year 3 or Year 5 child completing NAPLAN in 2024, please contact your child's teacher as soon as possible.

School Council

Thank you to the members of our school community who have nominated for School Council positions commencing 2024. I welcome Mr Scott Bennetts and Mrs Rebecca Cheung to the Maramba School Council and look forward to our meeting on Tuesday 19th March. A School Council oversees the school’s strategic direction, financial position and contributes to the tendering process for contractors.

Curriculum Days 2024

Please note the following days as being student free:

29th January 2024
30th January 2024
7th June 2024 (Assessment and Reporting)
13th September 2024 (Professional Practice Day)
25th November 2024

Assemblies and Newsletters

Please see the schedule below for our assemblies and newsletters:

School Newsletter	Whole School Assembly
Friday, 1st March	Thursday, 7th March
Friday, 15th March	Thursday, 21st March (Harmony Day)
Thursday, 28th March	Thursday, 18th April (Term 2)
Friday, 26th April (Term 2)	Thursday, 2nd May (Term 2)

Take care everyone and enjoy the weekend!

Kind regards,

Moniba Ehsan

Acting Principal

Birthdays

Happy Birthday to the Students and Staff who will celebrate their birthdays this and next week.