From the Principal’s Desk

This week at Mitcham Primary School, we’ve had some fantastic experiences that truly highlight the exciting learning and growth happening across our school community!

On Tuesday, our students enjoyed a wonderful session of 'Footsteps' dance classes. Each class participated in learning a cultural dance in preparation for our upcoming Harmony Evening performance. This is such a valuable opportunity for our students to experience the dance curriculum while also connecting with the broader theme of intercultural learning. The students are looking forward to showcasing their talent and celebrating diversity with a genuine audience!

In other exciting news, our Grade 5 and 6 students are having a fantastic time at Uran Camp in Melbourne! They’ve been exploring some of the city’s most iconic attractions, including a visit to Victoria's Parliament House, a cruise down the Yarra River, a tour of the MCG, and even a stop at the Queen Victoria Market. I would like to extend an enormous thanks to the exceptional Grade 5/6 teaching team and all the additional staff who’ve joined the camp. Without their dedication and hard work, such experiences would not be possible.

In exciting campus news, we are thrilled to announce that our brand-new Senior School Adventure Playground is officially complete and ready for use! This exciting milestone is part of our ongoing efforts to enhance our school’s play facilities. The playground has been built for Grade 5 and 6 students, however other year levels will also have designated times to enjoy it, during PE lessons or with their class teachers. As the new equipment is designed for older students, younger children will need to be fully supervised during their play. This marks the third step in our playground upgrade, with more exciting developments to come!

We are also excited to announce our 2025 School Council, which will comprise the following staff and parent representatives:

Erin Norman (Principal)

Michelle Anderson (Assistant Principal)

Judith Ryall (DET)

Laura Ellis (DET)

Kylie Walsh

Lisa Rhind

Shahnaz Davarkhah

Laura Wood

Dijana Fazlic

Gabby Adams

Leesa Carmuciano

Nina McArdle

We’re pleased to report that there was no need for an election, as the number of nominations received exactly matched the number of vacant positions. Our next School Council meeting with the 2025 team will be held on Tuesday, 18th March, where I will present the 2024 Annual Report to the School Community. This will be an open meeting, and we warmly invite all members of our school community to attend.

Next week, NAPLAN testing will begin for our Year 3 and Year 5 students. Please know that this is just one part of our students' learning journey, and it is designed to give a snapshot of their progress. NAPLAN is not something to stress about, as it’s simply a tool to help us understand where our students are in their learning and how we can best support them. We are confident our students will approach the testing with confidence and do their best!

As we head into the long weekend, I wish everyone a relaxing and enjoyable time. Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to all the exciting things ahead!

Warmly,

Erin