We hope that families were able to enjoy the magnificent weather over the Labour Day long weekend and to get out and about this wonderful city and state of ours.

VISIBLE LEARNING (Our Curriculum Day focus)

Last Friday, the teachers were engaged in professional development with a focus on ‘Visible Learning’. Our school mission statement is very clear about the type of learner we are aspiring to develop at Murrumbeena Primary School. We want to develop students who are engaged in their learning because they are challenged appropriately and receive specific and timely feedback that enables them to be informed about their progress and what they can do next.

We have worked on creating a culture where teachers and students work together and student voice is heard and respected.

Since our recent ‘Science of Reading’ training, each year level has chosen an evidenced based strategy to implement. We have collected baseline data to show the students’ academic starting point and we’ll monitor progress as the strategy is implemented and embedded. The ‘Visible learning’ emphasis means sharing the teaching and learning with the students, so they know:

What am I learning?
How am I going?
What do I need to learn next?

SCHOOL COMMUNITY CONNECTEDNESS AND BELONGING

A strong feature of our school is the sense of connectedness and belonging students and parents feel when they become part of the school.

Here at Murrumbeena Primary, we believe parents are our partners in educating the students both socially and academically.

We have created a range of opportunities for parents to become involved in the school, not just for volunteering, but, importantly, for sharing ideas and strategies to collaborate and strengthen partnerships with a deliberate focus on influencing and improving learning and wellbeing outcomes.

We believe effective parent engagement creates authentic relationships valued by each party. While the mode of engagement will vary with the child’s age, stage of learning, the time of the year and teachers, it also includes parents:

being supported to understand ways to discuss learning goals and aspirations with their child. Teachers will keep you updated through the year level memo where they share an overview of the learning programs and intentions. Images posted on Dojo also provide families with opportunities to talk about the activities happening at school and what the student was learning about.
Celebrating the student’s achievement and progress toward their personal learning goals through student led conferences which are held in term 3.
being assisted to develop effective strategies and techniques to enhance the child’s wellbeing.

The parent and teacher information nights are designed to give parents an overview of the student’s level of engagement in learning so far, to share strategies to enhance learning and wellbeing and to provide opportunity to speak specifically about your child’s needs.

PARENT - TEACHER DISCUSSIONS

Parent–Teacher discussions will be held on Tuesday 21 and/or Thursday 23 March.

The parent teacher discussion offers parents and teachers an opportunity to share information pertinent to the student’s educational and social-emotional progress. Interviews are strictly 10 minutes long, so we encourage parents to think about the information they would like to share with the teacher beforehand. Parents can book interview times on Compass, which is now open. Please email your child’s teacher if you would prefer to have the interview online so a Webex link can be sent.

HARMONY DAY- Wednesday 22nd March

This year the theme for Harmony Day is ‘Everyone Belongs’. As an International Baccalaureate school, we recognise that our cultural diversity is at the heart of who we are, not just in our school, but also our community, our city and indeed as people across the globe.

Harmony Day is a day of acknowledgement and celebration. It’s a day all about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of background, as we’re united by a set of core Australian values. Read the article further in this newsletter which provides details about cultural dress, our parade and celebratory activities.

EASTER BASKETS & RAFFLE

The Easter Raffle has been a long-standing tradition at MPS and our students look forward to that special assembly on the last day of term when all the raffle tickets are drawn. We will be sending home raffle ticket books next week.

We ask that families donate easter goodies which are used as prizes in the raffle. There are usually well over 100 prizes on the day.

Each class has a basket to collect the donations for the Easter hampers, so students can either bring their Easter goodies to the office or to their classrooms. We’re more than happy to provide another booklet of raffle tickets for those who wish to purchase more.

Please return the sold tickets and money in an envelope (with name and phone numbers clearly printed on the ticket butt) to the office.

NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION AGAINST BULLYING (NDA)- Friday 24 March

Once again, our school will be participating in targeted activities to raise awareness about the impact of bullying. Students learn strategies throughout the year as part of the wellbeing programs, however the National Day of Action shines a light on the ways we can stand together to put an end to anti social behaviour. The NDA also provides a timely reminder to students (and parents) of the importance of reporting cyberbullying and other unethical behaviour online.

Many anti-social behaviours which occur at school are ‘age appropriate,’ but students still need to learn how their behaviour impacts on others. Our Restorative Practices approach assists students to understand how behaviours both good and bad, link to enhancing or hindering relationships.

Over the past few years, students have become much more proactive in reporting negative behaviours which results in issues being addressed quickly and relationships restored. On occasion, students need longer term support to manage relationships, so strategies are negotiated between the concerned parties with teachers following up regularly.

WORKING BEE – Saturday 18 March (9:30 – 1:00pm)

Bring the kids, bring your partners, bring everyone to our working bee this Saturday. Let’s all dive into the garden beds and rake leaves, pull weeds, sweep paths and get our school back into top shape.

The balmy weather over the summer vacation provided the perfect conditions for growing (and overgrowing) and our Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden truly needs attention.

Even if you only have one hour to spare, we’re hoping that ‘many hands make light work.’ So let’s take action together and show our pride and love for our school.

See you on Saturday😊

Chellee Plumb

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