Principal's Report 

Dear Parents and Carers,

We are nearly halfway through term 2 and it is going so fast! I have recently been reflecting on our school vision and values. At Melton West Primary School, our vision is to create an inclusive learning community where students, families and staff collaborate to celebrate diversity, nurture curiosity and encourage each other to achieve and grow as life-long learners.  Our core values are ‘Communication, Honesty, Kindness, Resilience, Respect and Teamwork'. I see these values and our vision reflected in so many interactions at our school every day and want to take this opportunity to thank all of you who contribute to the positivity of our school community each and every week.

We all have a shared responsibility for ensuring that we uphold our values and vision in our day-to-day interactions with each other, and I am committed to ensuring that everyone in our school community is treated with respect, fairness and dignity. This is particularly important where there are concerns or sensitive matters to be raised, or where we think that a particular issue should be responded to or handled differently. 

To reflect the importance of our values and vision, the school has a policy that I wanted to share with you. It is the ‘Respect for School Staff’ policy. This policy outlines the behaviours we expect members of our school community to exhibit towards our school staff, and ensures that all members of our community understand the importance of working together with our staff in an appropriate and respectful way. 

This policy is available on our website, and included in this newsletter and I encourage you to review it, and to make a time to talk to me should you have any queries about it. Respect-For-School-Staff-Policy-July-2022.pdf

As a close knit and committed school community, our strength comes from our relationships with one another, and I am so proud of the way our students, parents and carers contribute to the positivity of our school environment in a supportive and collegiate way.  I look forward to continuing to work with you throughout the rest of the year. 

Vale Cheryl Jackson, Past Principal of Melton West P.S:

Mrs Cheryl Jackson, the well-respected Principal from approximately 2000 until 2011, when I took over as Principal, passed away on the 3rd May 2025. I met her briefly when I first started and she was a lovely person. Those who knew her speak highly of her as a person and the impact she had here at Melton West P.S and the wider Melton Community. Our condolences to her family at this difficult time.

Child safety and wellbeing at Melton West P.S:

Melton West P.S is committed to providing an environment where students are safe and feel safe. We have a zero tolerance for child abuse and are committed to protecting children from harm. Our comprehensive child safety framework outlines our school’s strategies to support student safety and wellbeing. The framework includes the following policies, codes and procedures:   

• Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy

• Child Safety Code of Conduct

• Child Safety Responding and Reporting Obligations

• Complaints Policy

• Student Wellbeing and Engagement Policy

• Bullying Prevention Policy

• Volunteers Policy

• Visitors Policy

• Acceptable Use Agreement (Digital Technology)

• Yard Duty and Supervision Policy

Our students and their families are important partners in keeping our students safe. We value feedback and ideas on how we can continuously strengthen our child safety framework. If you have any suggestions or comments please contact Michelle Costa Principal on 9743 5818 or at melton.west.ps@education.vic.gov.au 

Reconciliation Week:

National Reconciliation week runs from 27th May – 3rd June each year. It is an important time of the year as it provides an opportunity to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.  https://www.reconciliation.org.au/ At Melton West P.S we are celebrating on 30th May 2025 by having a day which students can come dressed in the colours of the Aboriginal flag – red, black and yellow. A gold coin donation is requested as a fundraiser for the Literacy for Life Foundation – an Aboriginal-run charity training Aboriginal people to bring literacy to their communities. Literacy For Life Foundation - Aboriginal-led adult literacy charity We are also selling woollen bracelets, in the same colours, made from the Koori Club students for 50c.

Prep Enrolments 2026 Open:

If you or somebody you know has a child turning 5 before 30th April 2026, they are eligible to attend school in 2026. All children have a guaranteed place in their local school, and some schools, like ours, can accept enrolments outside their designated area. If you feel they are ready to start school next year and would like to find out more about what we have to offer, please call the office to join one of our small group tours. These are fortnightly on a Wednesday from 9.30am or monthly in the evening at 6.00pm. To help with organising staff and preparing for an effective transition program, enrolments should be received by the end of July 2025.

High Levels of Learning for All

Michelle Costa

Principal