Dear School Community Members,

Manifold Heights Primary School is committed to the wellbeing of all students. Our engagement in the Respectful Relationships initiative, our ongoing commitment to the School Wide Positive Behaviour Support framework (SWPBS), along with regular classroom sessions within our Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) program and on our School Values, help harness and support the wellbeing of all students. Recently I came across a wonderful website compiled by Independent Schools Victoria, titled, ‘The Parents Website’. The website provides news, features and resources for parents on a number of topics that aim to develop the wellbeing of our children yet can be challenging to navigate. These topics include ‘Listening is Helping’, supporting your child through ‘Bullying’, screen time, anxiety, homework, avoiding safetyism, and parenting. For families who are interested in topics such as the ones listed above, I encourage you to take a look at this website:

https://theparentswebsite.com.au/

Cyber Safety Sessions - ‘Think You Know’:

Tomorrow our Gr 3 – 6 students will engage in a cyber safety session, titled ‘Think You Know’. This program has been developed by the Australian Federal Police with the purpose to educate primary aged children on Cyber Safety. Topics include privacy, inappropriate contact and help seeking strategies. The program will be delivered by a member of the Victorian Police force. We encourage families of children in Gr 3 – 6 to follow the session up with a discussion with their child about what they learned. We also encourage families to reinforce the message of children identifying at least 3 adults they can confide in regarding online behaviour and situations.

Mano Art Show – Wednesday, 10th September:

The excitement is building as we inch closer to our much anticipated Art Show. All students and our Art Teachers are working tirelessly to ensure a fabulous show. Information regarding the Mano Art Show is included in this newsletter. We look forward to our School Community coming together to see our students showcase their Visual Arts talents.

Supervision:

As a staff, we are committed to our ‘Duty of Care’ and ‘Yard Duty and Supervision’ policies (can be found on our website) to maximise the safety of our students. A friendly reminder that our grounds are supervised by school staff from 8.50am until 3.40pm. Outside of these hours, supervision cannot be guaranteed and our Duty of Care policy is not applicable. Families of students who are on school grounds outside of these hours are encouraged to contact our Outside of Hours School Care provider, VilliageOSHC.

It’s not Okay to be away!:

As a follow up from last week’s newsletter, I would like to continue to highlight the importance of regular attendance at school.

Why does 20 days matter? Research shows that 20 or more days absent directly impacts on student learning and their ability to develop friendships and relationships.

Our target for 2025 is no more than 15 days absence per student (on average).

We ask families to please reinforce the motto that It’s not Okay to be away!

The table below highlights the importance of regular attendance to school.

0-6 days per

semester

This is within the normal range. The child can take advantage of the teaching and learning opportunities available to them.

7 – 10 days

per semester

This attendance rate is below average. A child with this attendance rate could miss over one year of schooling between Prep and Year 10.

11- 20 days per

semester

This is a poor attendance rate. A child with this attendance rate could miss up to two years of schooling between Foundation and Yr 12.

If you’re having attendance issues with your child, please let your classroom teacher know or contact Mrs Geary or Mr Smith so we can work together to get your child to school every day.

Safety – Staff Carpark:

As a school, our highest priority is the safety of all community members. Recently we have been made aware that some families are utilising the staff carpark as a drop off and pick up zone – this compromises the safety of our students. To maximise the safety of our students and all community members, I remind our families of the following:

The staff carpark is strictly for staff only, as well as any community member who has the appropriate permit to park in the ‘All Accessible’ parking bays that are located in the staff carpark (permit must be on display)
Students often use the staff carpark as an entry and exit from school – for this reason no moving vehicles are permitted in the staff carpark during these times

Thank you in anticipation for your support of this matter.

Thank you for supporting our school and have a great week.

Christian Smith

Victorian State School Spectacular