Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome to week 3 of term 1 2024. We have had a strong start to the year, with classes establishing routine and structures that support a smooth approach to the day. Expectations have been discussed and displayed in all classroom. The School Wide Positive Behaviours have featured strongly in this and is continually referred to when we teach the students about the expected behaviours at school. We introduced a new one this week around using the sandpit, after having a trial period. I have included them for your reference.

Mr & Mrs Cliffe’s Baby: As many of you would be aware, Mr and Mrs Cliffe were expecting their first baby early this year. He arrived just about on time, safe and well. His name is Felix Wardell Cliffe and by all accounts mum, dad and baby are all doing well. We wish them all the best.

Parent/Teacher “Getting to Know Your Child” Interviews: Thank you to the parents and carers who attended these interviews on Wednesday (Preps) and Thursday (Years 1-6). These are an important part of the open communication between teachers and families and helps ensure we are all working together in a positive partnership, in the best interest of the child. If, at any time, there are any changes in your family, living arrangements or anything else that may impact your child, please reach out and share this with us, so we can be aware, and respond to your child with care, understanding and compassion. Sometimes, the smallest change, can have a huge impact on children, as they worry about things they do not fully understand. When we are aware, we can reassure and support them.

School Council Elections: If you are interested in joining school council, nominations for the 2024 opened yesterday and close on the 20th February 2024 at 4.00 pm. If you are interested in finding out more of what it involves to be a School Councillor, please contact the office to make an appointment to see me.

Annual privacy reminder for our school community: Our school collects, uses, discloses and stores student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the Schools’ Privacy Policy. Please take time to read our school’s collection notice, found on our website Privacy_Collection_Notice (meltonwestps.vic.edu.au) We ask parents to also review the guidance we provide on how we use Google Suite googlesuite-parent-info.docx safely at the school and what parents can do to further protect their child’s information. If after reviewing the guidance, you have any questions or concerns regarding your child using Google Suite, please contact the school. For more information about privacy, refer to: Schools’ Privacy Policy — information for parents Schools' privacy policy (education.vic.gov.au). This information is also available in ten community languages including Dari, Sudanese, Turkish, Urdu and Vietnamese.

Attendance Incentive: This year we have introduced an additional attendance incentive to the school to improve attendance by providing motivation and incentives to support students to achieve 100% attendance each fortnight. At Melton West PS we have often struggled to have students arrive on time and attend school EVERY day they are well, and we know for students to learn at their optimal, they need to be at school. We continue to award 5 Dojo points for students who come on time, which is by 9.00am. I have attached the Attendance Policy for your information.

Our school data indicates that in 2023:

17% of students had between 20 to 30 days of absences, which is 104 children.
- This is the same as having more than 1 day off a week, EVERY school week of the year.
- It is the same as missing out on 1/8 of their learning time.
27% of students had 30 or more days of absences, which is 170 children.
- This is the same as having almost 2 days off a week EVERY week of the year.
- It is the same as missing out on almost 1/5 (20%) of their learning time.
14% of students had 100% attendance, which is 84 students and we congratulate them!

Our new incentive provides students with the opportunity to go into a drawer to win a prize worth up to $100 EVERY 2 weeks. Over the course of the 2-week period, all children display their “Golden Ticket”: in their classroom. It stays on display until a child is late, absent or leaves early, when it gets removed. All tickets still on display by the end of the fortnight gets their ticket put into the container and ONE lucky winner gets drawn out to win the prize.

If you have any concerns about this new incentive, please make an appointment through the office to come and speak to me.

Traffic Around the School: It was quite disappointing to see parents and carers encourage their child to cross the road, in busy afterschool traffic, without using the school crossing. Our School Crossing Supervisors are out there in the rain, hail and shine to protect our children and help them cross the road safely. Having a child’s parent or carer encouraging them to cross at other places can give mixed messages to the young person and does not teach them how to be safe around traffic. I have had several parents approach me about having near misses and feeling quite stressed that they narrowly missed a child crossing the road. All adults need to act as role models and I encourage you to work with the school to ensure the safety of all. I have attached a Safety brochure from Vic Roads about how to ensure your child gets to school safely.

Student Information Update: Early last week all students would have received a printout of the current information we have about each child. Please read over these carefully, make any alterations as required and return to school. We appreciate you returning them even if there are no changes to help us know that your inflation is still correct. If, AT any time throughout the year, your address, phone number, emergency contact, or any information changes, it is important to let us know as soon as possible so we can contact you as required. If you have not returned your Student Information update yet, please do so as soon as possible.

Student Dress Code Policy: School Council determines the polices of the school and they have decided that Melton West PS should have a Student Dress Code Policy. My responsibility, as Principal, is to enact the policy and remind students and their families of the expectations around wearing the school uniform. If you require help in providing a uniform for your child/children, we are more than willing to assist. We know the increase in the cost of living is stretching many families budget and we are here to help and support you and your children to be in school uniform. Please contact Ms Moore, through the school office, if you require financial assistance for uniform.

I have included a copy of the current Student Dress Code Policy in this newsletter for your information.

Camps, Sports and Excursion Funds (CSEF): School camps provide children with inspiring experiences in the great outdoors. Excursions encourage a deeper understanding of how the world works while sports teach teamwork, discipline and leadership. All are a part of a healthy curriculum. CSEF is provided by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities. If you hold a valid means-tested concession card or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible for CSEF. A special consideration category also exists for asylum seeker and refugee families. The allowance is paid to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions or sporting activities for the benefit of your child. Please see the office if you have any questions or you need to apply for CSEF.

High Levels of Learning for All

Michelle Costa

Principal