MILGATE'S VISION

To provide a dynamic, inclusive learning environment that challenges students to become inquirers, thinkers and caring young people who are able to interact in the global society with respect and intercultural understanding

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

Milgate Primary School would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land of the Wurundjeri People, and we would like to pay our respects to the elders both past and present. Staff, students and the school community understand that we thrive, learn and live on Wurundjeri Country and we stand with all cultures united as one.

YEAR 1 MINI BOSS EXCURSION

On Friday morning, our Year 1 students participated in an exciting MiniBoss “Game On” incursion. This hands-on session sparked creativity, encouraged collaboration, and strengthened problem-solving skills. Students worked in teams to design and construct their own original games using a variety of everyday materials. The incursion supported our current Unit of Inquiry, How the world works, as students investigated the properties and uses of materials while exploring the processes and decisions involved in creating purposeful designs. It was great to see so much creativity and enthusiasm on display. Well done, Year 1!

CELEBRATION OF LEARNING

Our Celebrations of Learning will be held on Wednesday 2 July from 5:00 to 6:30pm. We have opened it up for these hours to ensure ample time for parents to share in their child’s learning through the work samples students have selected and play some games with their children. We believe it is crucial for parents and schools to collaborate closely, as students benefit greatly when they witness their parents' enthusiasm and active involvement in their learning journey. We look forward to seeing you all there.END OF

A FAREWELL TO KATE MANCARELLA

We warmly invite our parent community to join us in farewelling Kate Mancarella at our whole school assembly on the last day of term, Friday 4 July at 2:00pm. Kate has made a significant contribution to our school, and this will be a special opportunity to celebrate her time at Milgate and wish her well as she heads off on her next adventure. Following the assembly, Kate will remain on the basketball court for a short time if parents would like to pop by, say goodbye and share their well wishes. A gift will be presented by the P&F on behalf of the school community.

TERM | 2:30pm DISMISSAL

The last day of Term 2 is Friday 4 July and the school day finishes at 2:30pm. Please make sure you can collect your children at 2:30pm or contact TeamKids for After School Care bookings.

MATHS REPORTING

I am writing to let you know about the changes to student reporting for mathematics in Victorian government schools.

The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) recently published its revised mathematics curriculum, known as Mathematics Curriculum 2.0.

All Victorian government schools will begin using this revised curriculum in either 2024 or 2025. At Milgate Primary School, we will be implementing Mathematics Curriculum 2.0 for school reporting from Semester 1, 2025.

On your child’s previous report, their achievement was assessed against three separate strands of the mathematics curriculum: Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry, and Statistics and Probability. Under the new curriculum, teachers will now report against a single, holistic achievement standard, providing one aggregated score for mathematics.

Because the content and structure of the new curriculum have changed significantly, it is important to note that achievement levels from previous reports cannot be directly compared to those in the new reporting format. This means that in Semester 1, 2025, the report will reflect your child’s current achievement in mathematics, but will not show progress from previous reports.

From Semester 2 onwards, teachers will be able to report on student progress against the new curriculum, providing a clearer picture of growth over time using the updated framework.

The VCAA introduced these changes to give teachers greater flexibility in planning mathematics learning, allowing them to better connect mathematical concepts and make links across curriculum areas.

For further information, please refer to the department’s policy on Reporting Student Achievement and Progress Foundation to 10.

SUPPORTING SAFE AND RESPECTFUL ONLINE BEHAVIOUR

At Milgate Primary School, we are committed to fostering a safe and respectful environment, both onsite and online. Recently, we have been made aware of some concerning behaviour occurring in group chats outside of school. These digital conversations have, in some cases, included unkind and hurtful comments, highlighting the need for ongoing support and guidance in this area.

We want to remind parents and carers of the importance of being actively involved in your child’s digital life. While online spaces such as group chats and messaging apps can be a valuable way for children to stay connected, they can also become platforms for exclusion, miscommunication, or harmful behaviour if not monitored and guided appropriately.

From a cognitive science perspective, it’s important to remember that children’s brains are still developing, particularly the areas responsible for impulse control, empathy, and long-term thinking. This means they are still learning how to navigate complex social situations, especially in an environment like a group chat, where tone can be misread, and the consequences of their actions might feel distant or unreal.

Being constantly connected to peers through devices can also increase feelings of pressure and anxiety for children. Unlike previous generations, today’s students don’t get a clear break from social dynamics at the end of the school day. This 24/7 connectivity can make disagreements feel more intense and leave students vulnerable to the emotional impact of group conflict, exclusion, or unkind behaviour.

We encourage all families to:

Have open conversations with your child about their online interactions and friendships.
Check in regularly about what group chats they are part of and how they feel about them.
Set clear boundaries around device use and ensure regular breaks from screens.
Reinforce that kindness and respect should extend into all digital spaces.
Encourage your child to speak to a trusted adult if something online is making them feel uncomfortable or upset.

As a school, we will continue to teach and model respectful digital citizenship. However, we also recognise that strong partnerships between home and school are essential in supporting children to build positive online habits.

PARENTS' ROLE IN THE IB PYP AS PART OF THE LEARNING COMMUNITY

The IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) recognises that learning occurs everywhere, and not just in the classroom during school hours.

The PYP considers that schools, students, families, and the wider community all work together as a learning community.

As a parent, you play a vital and valued role in your child’s education, not just in supporting home learning or attending school events, but as an active partner in shaping a meaningful, connected learning journey.

What does being part of the Learning Community mean?

It means that your voice, experiences, and involvement matter. When schools, students, and families work together, we create a shared environment where learning is:

Collaborative – Everyone contributes ideas, knowledge, and perspectives.

Authentic – Learning connects to real life, with input from home and community.

Supportive – Children feel confident when the adults in their lives share in their learning.

How can parents get involved?

Here are a few meaningful ways to be an active member of the learning community:

Engage in Conversations About LearningAsk open-ended questions about what your child is learning and share your own ideas and experiences. This shows that learning is valued beyond school.
Support Agency at HomeEncourage your child to make choices, solve problems, and reflect on their learning—key aspects of student agency in the PYP.
Share Your Knowledge and CultureOffer to share your cultural background, career, or hobbies as part of an inquiry or classroom experience. Parents bring real-world expertise that enriches student understanding.
Join School Events and Celebrations of LearningWhether it’s a unit celebration, student-led conference, or learning exhibition, your presence and interest show children that their efforts are important and supported.
Model the Learner Profile at HomeTalk about the Learner Profile attributes and model them in your family life. When children see these qualities in action at home, they are more likely to apply them themselves.

When families and schools work together, children thrive. In the PYP, parents are not bystanders—they are partners, co-learners, and co-creators in the educational journey.

Sarah Brown - IB PYP Coordinator

JUNIOR SCHOOL COUNCIL

Just a reminder that this term, we are collecting socks!

We would like each Milgate family to donate one pair of new socks. The socks are being sent to the Mahatma Gandhi Government School in Deogarth, India.

MILGATE’S GOT TALENT

We hope that you are practising and getting ready to record your entry for Milgate's Got Talent!

If you child has special talent that they would like to share with the Milgate community, please have someone in your family to video their performance and upload it to SEESAW.

Please note the following guidelines:

any student in the school can enter!
the performance CAN ONLY BE 3 MINUTES LONG
they need to create something that is suitable for our audience, students from Foundation to Year 6
they need to always be safe
their performance can be individual or they can organise a group
they need to be able to perform live in front of an audience
They should challenge themselves - learn something new!

THE GRAND PRIZE

There will be 14 students selected to present to the judges in Term 3. Semi Finalists will perform at assembly. The GRAND FINAL PRIZE is presenting to the whole school community at the end of year concert.

ALL ENTERIES MUST BE SUBMITTED BY 20 JULY 2025.

Please see the House Leaders or Mrs Brown if you have any questions.

We are excited to see the talent that is within our school.

TIMELINE OF REMAINING KEY SSB ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES

Families can continue to use School Saving Bonus funds until Monday 30 June 2025 to buy textbooks or uniforms, or to allocate funds to school activities using the parent/carer online system.

The parent/carer online system will close at 11:59 pm on 30 June 2025. Any unused online supplier vouchers will expire, and all unspent SSB funds will revert to a school activities credit held against the family account for each student. These balances are expected to be available for families to use in early August 2025.

INDIGENOUS LITERACY FOUNDATION | THE GREAT BOOK SWAP

FORTNIGHTLY WOI WURRUNG WORD | CULTURAL CALENDAR

ACHIEVER Awards

Term 2 | Week 9