Learning @ MPS- is fun!

Last week, a mobile planetarium arrive at school for our Grade 1/2 students. The students have been studying the Solar System as part of their unit of Inquiry. The feedback from the children was overwhelming positive- in fact, one child told me it was the "best thing in my life so far!"

The Foundation students had an exciting and very successful trip to the Melbourne Museum which also linked to their unit of Inquiry - Mini Beasts. It was difficult to establish which was the best part of the day - the bug exhibition and the bus ride were both highly rated by the children!

This week Swimming lessons for F-2 has begun. The children have taken to the swimming routine well and are enjoying the new facilities down at the Eltham Leisure Centre. I have received some great feedback about the swimming program itself, as well as feedback about the incidental learning that has taken place. We sometimes forget that there is enormous capability for learning through attempting the little things; having a go at getting dressed at the end of a session, locating one's clothes, and even exercising patience whilst waiting for others, are all very important aspects of such a program! Thanks to all our wonderful helpers who meet our children and teachers at the pool!

Photo - Celebrating 'Sundae Fun Day' with students who were presented with 'Student of the Week' awards!

Congratulations to Miss Mac who was married over the weekend! We wish Anna and Bec all the very best as they start their married life together.

Please refer to the letter that was sent via compass last week in regard to 2019 Grade Structures. If you have any specific information, please provide it via email by Friday 9th November to worsam.janene.j@edumail.vic.gov.au

We will be working on teacher placement over the coming weeks. There will be some staff movement next year as we accommodate such things as student growth, staff leave, family leave and transfers. We will be welcoming some new staff members to join the Monty team in 2019 and more information will relayed early December once transfers are finalised. We will be welcoming our Foundation 2019 students next Friday 16th for their very first transition session! It is hard to believe that it was 12 months ago that we welcomed our current Foundation children.

Please add to your diary- a Twilight Working Bee - Thursday 29th Nov from 3:45pm-5pm. Our main aim will be to move mulch around the playground areas. Many hands make light work- we would love as many people as possible to give us a hand!

Have a wonderful week ahead,

Janene and Rebekah

Japanese Rice Ball Sessions at MPS

We are having an Onigiri (rice balls) cooking session in Japanese class on Wednesday 14th and Thursday 15th November. Rice balls are traditionally prepared as a healthy snack in Japan. They are made with love for someone special.

To celebrate World Food Day, TABLE FOR TWO (TFT, a non-profit organization) holds the charity campaign with a goal to deliver 1 million meals to children in East Africa and Southeast Asia every year. The campaign is called ‘Change the world with onigiri’. (https://onigiri-action.com/en/)

To participate in the campaign, we simply post a photo of ourselves making, eating, and enjoying onigiri. For each photo we post, TFT will donate provide a donation providing 5 school meals to children in need.

Please see compass and the relevant link to add your name to the sign-up sheet if you are able to help out at any sessions on these days. Your assistance is greatly appreciated! ARIGATOU!

Kind regards,

Noriko Sensei

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