From Marie

Reminder that next Friday, 4 July, is the end of Term 2.  School will be finishing at 2:30pm. Everyone back at school on Monday 21 July for the start of Term 3.

Student safety

Over the last few weeks we have seen an increase in parents parking inside the yellow lines of the pedestrian crossings; students (sometimes with their parents) running across the road on Mullum Mullum Road and Panfield Ave instead of using the crossing; cars reversing out of the disability parking space into the zebra crossing; cars doing U-turns across footpaths.  All of these incidences put your child, and others, at risk.  We understand that parking can be difficult, however, a trip to hospital or worse is not ideal either.  Please allow a little more time, park in the designated places, and watch out for everyone.  

Hong Kong visitors

Last Monday we were excited to host 21, Grade 5/6 students and their teachers from two schools in Hong Kong.  Our visitors joined in the classroom activities including Performing Arts, Science and English. Thank you to our 5/6 students and teachers for ensuring the visitors had a wonderful time. Thank you also to the families for sending along a delicious morning tea and lunch which was enjoyed by everyone.

2025 Primary School Parliamentary Convention

Over the last few weeks these five students have been preparing for a day in the Legislative Council debating the bill "Should voting be compulsory in Australia?".  Pat presented on behalf of the school in favour of compulsory voting, however, as students listened to the guest speakers and other students there were moments when they could have been swayed by the compelling arguments against compulsory voting.  When it came time for the final vote, of the 45 students at the Convention, 35 voted 'Yes' with 10 voting 'No'.  On a lighter note, the highlights according to the students, were the brownies, purple chips, orange juice and pressing the green button on the train!  Thank you to Claire for coming along and supporting us.

Encounter Program & Buddies

It is only a matter of weeks now before we welcome our Encounter Program students.  We currently have nineteen students enrolled across all classes except Foundation.  We are still looking for more students to be 'buddies' to our visitors.  Buddies have an important role of supporting our visitors to settle into the classroom environment, share playground games and activities, come along to additional activities like our trip to Healesville Sanctuary.  If you would like your child to be a buddy, just send me a quick email and we will allocate them a buddy.

Reports go live

Tomorrow, your child's Semester 1 Report will be going live on Compass.  Our teachers look forward to meeting with parents over the next week to discuss these reports, share student learning outcomes and look to the next six months and what focus there needs to be for learning.

Parent/Teacher Interviews next week

Thank you to all the parents who have already booked in for the Parent/Teacher Interviews on Tuesday and Thursday next week.  We encourage all parents to attend an interview witht the classroom teacher to hear about the progress your child is making.

PJ Day - Friday 4 July

Our Junior School Council are running a Pyjama Day on Friday 4 July.  Children are invited to wear their winter pjs, dressing gown and proper school shoes, for a gold coin donation. Slippers can be worn in the classroom, but runners need to be worn outside.

Breakfast Club - Friday 4 July - 8:30 - 9:15am

To compliment the PJ Day, the Parents' Association are running their first Breakfast Club. Cereal, porridge, toast are on offer for all students and their parents on Friday next week. Families are asked to bring along their own plate, bowl and cutlery, then enjoy a breakfast on us.  Food will be distributed from the Science Room and can be eaten in places like the artroom, library, hall and outside if the weather is fine.

School Working Bee

Saturday 26 July at 11:00-12:30 we are running a whole school Working Bee.  The main focus of this working bee is to replace the mulch immediately under climbing frames and planting some trees in the Edible Garden.  Bring along the family, your wheelbarrows, shovels and rakes, and join in the fun.