Dear School Community Members,

April is Autism Acceptance Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness, fostering acceptance, and promoting inclusion for autistic individuals and their families. It begins with World Autism Awareness Day on Thursday 2 April.

At Manifold Heights Primary School, we are proud to support students with autism and are committed to helping every child experience a fulfilling and successful primary school journey and beyond. Our staff work together to create a supportive and inclusive environment where all students feel safe, understood, and valued.

At times, some of our autistic students may experience behaviours from others that can lead to feelings of anxiety or stress. Similarly, they may sometimes display behaviours that others find challenging. We recognise that many students are still developing their understanding of autism and how it can affect the way their peers communicate, interact, and experience the world. As part of our ongoing support, we provide age-appropriate information to help build empathy, understanding, and respect among all students.

What is Autism?

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition that affects how a person communicates, interacts with others, and understands the world around them. It is a lifelong condition. People with autism may experience differences in social interaction and communication, as well as having specific interests or repetitive behaviours. They may also have sensory sensitivities or behavioural challenges.

Autism occurs across all cultures, backgrounds, and communities. Every individual with autism is unique, with their own strengths, interests, and ways of experiencing the world.

Manifold Heights Primary School is proud to be an inclusive community where diversity is accepted, valued, and respected. We will continue to promote understanding, kindness, and acceptance so that all students can thrive.

Gr 4 Camp to Anglesea:

Our Grade 4 Learning Community will head off to Camp on Tuesday where they will partake in some fantastic activities. Activities at the Coastal Forest Lodge include body boarding, taking care of the animals who reside at the camp, and multiple team building activities. Thank you to our Grade 4 teachers for planning this experience and opportunity for our students. I also acknowledge and thank our parent volunteers who are attending camp for their support of the Grade 4 Camp.

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: Tomorrow (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.

Congratulations Mr Fleming:

Congratulations to Mr Fleming on his appointment to a role at St Joseph’s College for the remainder of the year. Mr Fleming will commence his new position early in Term 2 (start date to be confirmed). We thank Mr Fleming for his valued contribution to our school community and wish him every success in this exciting new opportunity.

Nude Food:

Nude Food is a food that comes to school without disposable packaging (such as extra plastic bags, paper bags, wrappings or cling wrap). Nude food has many benefits – this includes:

Reduces a family’s’ environmental footprint
Nude food is generally healthy food
Nude food educates children about how their actions can impact the environment and their health
Reduces Mano’s environmental footprint
Reduces the litter within our school grounds

At Mano, we have many students who have lunch boxes at school full of healthy food with little to no wrappers. In recent weeks, the litter within our school grounds have increased. With this in mind, we encourage families to support our commitment to reduce our environmental ‘footprint’ and pack ‘Nude Food’ for your child. Thank you for your support of the Nude Food program.

End of Term Arrangements:

Next Thursday is the last day of term 1.

Please note, students will be dismissed from school at 2:30pm next Thursday.

After School Care will commence at 2:30pm.

Thank you for supporting our school!

Christian Smith

Victorian Premiers' Reading Challenge 2026