Dear School Community,

This week we are celebrating Harmony Week—a special time to recognise and celebrate the diversity within our school community and to continue strengthening our culture that “everyone belongs at Mano.”

At our assembly on Monday, two of our Positive Behaviour and Wellbeing Leaders, Lottie and Paddy, launched Harmony Week with a thoughtful message about the importance of inclusion and respect. Throughout the week, students have been participating in classroom activities that explore diversity, kindness and respect. To finish the week, all classes will take part in our Harmony Week whole-school photo on Friday.

I encourage families to have a conversation at home about Harmony Week and the values behind it. Thank you to our Positive Behaviour and Wellbeing Ambassadors, Mrs Forsyth and Mrs McDonald, for coordinating the week’s activities.

Student Leadership – Junior School Council (JSC)

Our Student Leadership Team continues to make a meaningful contribution to our school community. The team includes our School Captains, Vice Captains, House Captains, Junior School Council Members (Class Ambassadors), our Positive Behaviour and Wellbeing Ambassadors and our Peer Mediators.

Recently, the Junior School Council finalised plans for our Term 1 Social Service event and have also begun planning their Semester 1 project—more details will be shared soon.

While Mr Gibson supports the meetings, the discussions are chaired and recorded by our JSC representatives. It is wonderful to see the respect and leadership shown by all members.

Congratulations to our JSC. We look forward to seeing their continued leadership throughout 2026.

Term 1 Social Service Activity

Continuing the Mano tradition, the Junior School Council invites our community to participate in a Social Service activity each term. These activities support charities selected by the JSC.

Our Term 1 Social Service event will support the Good Friday Appeal.

Date: Friday, 27th March

Theme: Dress in your PJs

Donation: Gold coin or via QR Code on Compass

Students and staff are invited to come to school wearing their PJs to show their support.

Further information has been shared with families via Compass.

School Council

Our first meeting of the newly formed School Council was held on Monday evening. I congratulate the following members who have accepted Office Bearer roles:

President: Jonathan Connor
Vice President: Matt Cowdell
Treasurer: Paul Wigglesworth

Other School Councillors are: Sarah Francis, Ragini Flower, Emma Byers, Keir O’Donnell, Alice Urquhart, Eve Mayes, Narelle Geary, Christian Smith, Aimee Forsyth, Brendan Beck and Jess Chapman.

On behalf of the Mano community, I would also like to thank our retiring School Councillors, Amy James and John Hambrook. Their commitment, passion and valuable contributions to the school are sincerely appreciated.

Key agenda items from Monday’s meeting included:

2025 Annual Report: School Council finalised and endorsed the report. It will be shared with the community once the Department of Education quality assurance process is complete.
Mano Market: School Council discussed the future of the market following the coordinator, Helen, advising she is unable to continue in the role. More information will be shared in the coming weeks.
Outside School Hours Care and Holiday Program: Following the recent tender process, the panel has recommended a successful service provider. We expect to announce this in the coming weeks.
Playground Upgrade Program: School Council has begun planning the replacement of the “Wooden Playground” along Narmbool Street. Our Student Leadership Team will be invited to contribute ideas for the new design.

Each of our School Councillors is deeply committed to our school community. Please feel free to contact them if you have any feedback or concerns.

Thank you for supporting our school!

Christian Smith

Victorian Premiers' Reading Challenge 2026