Merbein P-10 College Newsletter

Principal

Mr Chris Grimmer

BUILDING UPDATE

Since our last newsletter, work has progressed nicely on the new administration building. The photos below show all the work that has been done since June, particularly on the inside of the building to complete the painting, carpets, vinyl, toilets and acoustic board. The external cladding has delayed the build a little as the sheets were attached, removed and re-attached to reduce the ‘oil canning’ effect. Some time has also been lost due to an issue with the stormwater, which has now been resolved but will require a school contribution to cover the additional cost of rectifying this drainage problem.

 

Oasis Unmatched have also been working on the refurbishment of the netball court near the bus shelter. The new fence has been completed and the finishing touches are now being put on the new synthetic surface. 

 

                                                          New Cafeteria almost complete                                    

                                                      Cafeteria Store/Preparation Room

 

                                                   External cladding almost complete                             

                                              Ramp to front entrance to be poured soon

     

New netball court fence and resurfacing of synthetic surface almost complete

      

 

 

OPEN NIGHT SUCCESS

On Wednesday 1st May, our school hosted an Open Night for interested families of current Year 6 students who are considering enrolment for Year 7 in 2025. We were pleased that so many families from many local primary schools took the time to visit and learn more about the great learning environment we provide for our students at Merbein P-10 College. 

I would like to thank staff for supporting the night’s activity and the many students who helped in the classrooms, presented or performed at the official presentation in the gym, or acted as hosts and guides.

Finally, I would like to thank parents and families who took the time to visit and find out more about our great school. 

 

STAFFING UPDATE

This week we welcomed Sam McClure to Merbein P-10. Sam is helping to cover Hayley Rayson’s teaching load for the remainder of the year while she is on family leave, while Jess Crawford will be acting Learning Centre Leader during this time. Sam grew up in the area but has been in Melbourne & overseas recently. Next year Candice Burley will be joining us from Mildura Senior College. Candice is currently in a Leading Teacher position at MSC, so it will be fantastic to have her join our English/Hums team in 2025.

 

SCHOOL SAVING BONUS INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES

In Term 4, 2024, families with a child enrolled in a government school from Prep to Year 12 in 2025 will receive the one-off $400 School Saving Bonus.

 

The $400 School Saving Bonus provides families with support for education-related costs, such as school activities and/or school uniforms and textbooks.

 

The School Saving Bonus is not available for full-fee international students, home schooled students, TAFE students and students attending kindergarten in 2025.   

 

Actions for parents and carers

Before 18 October 2024, the Department of Education is asking parents and carers to:

  • Complete enrolment: If your child, or children are changing government school for Term 1 2025, or starting Prep or Year 7 in 2025. For more information, read about Enrolling in School. 
  • Check your contact information: Ensure your email address and phone number is up to date with us. You can check this information by contacting us directly.

 

We need to ensure your contact information is up to date as the Department of Education will email you twice:

  • in October, to verify your email address
  • in November, with your $400 School Saving Bonus.

Please check your junk mail regularly to make sure you do not miss an important email.

To learn more about the School Saving Bonus, download the School Saving Bonus Information sheet for government school parents and carers (or read on our Compass News Feed) or visit vic.gov.au/school-saving-bonus. 

 

PARENT/CARER OPINION SURVEYS – EXTENDED CLOSING DATE 

The Merbein P-10 College Parent Opinion Survey closing date has been extended until the end of Term 3, Friday 20th September. We would love it if families could take a moment to complete the survey and provide feedback around your child/ren's schooling. A huge thanks to those families who have already completed the survey - we really value your feedback. However, we do need more families to complete the survey, as we have currently only had 10% of families complete it.To access the survey, please click on the following link or paste the address into your browser. https://www.orima.com.au/parentYou will then be asked to enter the following 6 digit PIN number - 216396. This number gives you access to the Merbein P-10 survey.