Welcome to the 2024 School Year

We have had a fantastic start to this school year! The staff returned on Monday to 2 days of professional learning, collaboration and preparation, and planning time. The students then returned on Wednesday and after a whole school assembly, moved to an extended home group to determine lockers, be given a planner and general getting set up for the new year.

There has been a lot of activity at school over the holidays, but unfortunately, some of the projects were delayed, meaning that other projects were also delayed. Potential asbestos containing material was removed and then needed to be replaced. The water pipe works also began in order to ensure our water comes out of taps clear (until this is completed, we are still drinking and cooking with bottled water). The remaining classrooms that hadn’t been done last year were carpeted in the new carpet and the staff work room and remaining Admin offices were also painted. Most of the classrooms have had new tables and chairs installed and there are some extra cupboards in some of the rooms for teacher storage. The biggest change of all is the makeover of the staff work room with new furniture as well, creating a lighter, brighter, airy work space.

There was a beehive activity effect at the end of last year, as the staff cleared out and cleaned up, in order for this work to happen and I would like to thank them all for contributing to this much needed clean up (work over 20 years old was being found!) I would also like to thank our Office Admin Team – Kirsty, Kelly and Sharon for all the work that they did in the planning, ordering and assisting with tidying and removal, as without their energy in this work, it would not have happened. I hope you all get the opportunity to come in and see the updated environment that we are all able to work in.

Community Welcome BBQ

To welcome in the new school year, a welcome BBQ was held on Thursday with a great turn out of families (more than we had originally expected!) It was a pleasant afternoon spent in front of the Jessie Hollonds Studios with lots of chatting, laughter and delicious BBQ food. Getting to know our families is so important, as I believe a strong partnership is required between the school and home to be able to provide the best education for your child.

Swimming Sports

House Swimming Sports is on Wednesday 14th February. All students are expected at school, even if they aren’t participating in any swimming events. They can certainly join in by being part of the team and supporting their house. Family members are most welcome to attend.

Student Free Days - Dates for your diary

This year, school has a total of 5 student free days, the fifth being the whole school Professional Practice Day. We have already used 2 this week, with the remaining dates being: Friday June 14th (Report Writing day), Thursday 1st August (staff Professional Learning) and Monday 4th November (Monday before Cup Day, staff Professional Learning).

Bushfire Policy

As we are a school on the Bushfire At Risk Register (BARR), our school will be closed on a Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating day. There will be no one allowed on site and school buses will be cancelled. There are also corresponding pre-emptive actions required on High and Extreme days.

Where possible, we will provide up to between 4 – 7 days’ notice of a potential Catastrophic day closure by letter, Compass, SMS, Facebook notification and email. Once a Catastrophic day is confirmed, we will provide advice before the end of the school day.

Once confirmed, the decision to close will not change, to avoid confusion and help your family plan alternative care arrangements for your child. It is also important to note that:

• No staff will be on site on days where the school is closed due to a forecast Code Red day.

• As a bus co-ordinating school all bus routes will be cancelled.

On these Catastrophic days families are encouraged to enact their Bushfire Survival Plan –children should never be left at home or in the care of older children. The CFA advise that when Catastrophic days are forecast, the safest option is to leave the night before or early on the morning of the Catastrophic day.

What can parents do?

• Make sure your family’s bushfire survival plan is up-to-date and includes alternative care arrangements in the event that our school is closed.

• Ensure we have your current contact details, including your mobile phone numbers. Keep in touch with us by checking Compass, emails and checking our Facebook page MBSC Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/mtbeautysecondarycollege )

• If your child is old enough, talk to them about bushfires and your family’s bushfire survival plan.

• You can access more information about children’s services closures on the Department of Education and Training website – see CLOSURES ( https://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/health/pages/closures.aspx )

For up-to-date information on this year’s fire season see:

• emergency.vic.gov.au (https://emergency.vic.gov.au/respond/) • CFA Facebook and Twitter • ABC local radio, Sky News and other emergency broadcasters • VicEmergency Hotline (1800 226 226).

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