From the Principal & Assistant Principal 

WELCOME BACK

I hope everyone had a lovely break! It has been good to see staff and students back at school after a relaxed break, and now ready for a busy term four.

STAFF

This week we farewell our business manager, Teresa Farthing who has announced her retirement. Teresa has made wonderful contributions to Murrumbeena Primary School.  She commenced working here fourteen years ago in a part time administration position and then gained the business manager position in a shared role.  For the past two years, Teresa has been our full time business manager. We have been lucky to benefit from Teresa’s knowledge, skills, expertise, and dedication in financial matters, and her friendly and welcoming presence at the office. I know you will join me in wishing Teresa all the best for a new range of pursuits in her retirement!

This week we are also welcoming our new business manager, Helen Georgitsopoulos. Helen is a very experienced business manager who has worked in several schools, most recently at Livingstone Primary School, where she was very highly regarded.  We welcome Helen and look forward to her contributions to Murrumbeena Primary School.  

CARE AND SHARE PROGRAM

Our Care and Share Program was commended recently in state parliament.  A statement by local member for Oakleigh, Steve Dimopoulos, praised the wonderful program at Murrumbeena Primary School, making special recognition of Amanda Daemen and the support of staff, parents and volunteers.

Amanda introduced this program many years ago, and it has helped numerous families in need, as well as helping to educate our students of the importance of helping others.

PLANNING FOR 2017

Early in Term Four we begin the process of planning for the following year.  Next week we are holding the first prep orientation sessions, and we are planning transition activities for students at other levels. 

Ensuring your child has a smooth transition to a new grade next year is an important focus in term four.  Teachers will be helping to create new classes, based on each child’s needs, and also providing orientation opportunities for children to ease into their next class.

Parents sometimes ask if they can request a particular teacher for their child for the coming year.  Unfortunately, when parents make these requests it makes our class planning extremely difficult. Teachers put much time and effort into arranging children into appropriate groups, taking into consideration their academic, social and emotional needs.  When requests for particular teachers are added to this delicate mix, difficulties arise in organising balanced classes.  If you have any particular concerns about your child’s placement due to individual issues, in terms of social, emotional or academic needs, please discuss these issues with your child’s class teacher, Shirley Krongold, Chellee Plumb or me.  These discussions should be completed by the end of October.

As the number of children attending the school is crucial in our planning, early notice of student transfers is important. If you have any plans to relocate from our area and/ or enrol your children at another school, please let the office know as soon as possible. 

SUNSMART REMINDER

All students should be wearing an appropriate hat at all times when outside.  Students without a hat will be instructed to play in the shade. Choose one of the following styles:

• broad brimmed hats – with a brim of at least 7.5 cm
• bucket or ‘surfie-style hats' – with a deep crown and brim of at least 6 cm
• legionnaire hats with a flap that covers the neck. The side flap and front peak should meet to protect the side of the face.

Appropriate hats are available through the uniform shop.

Heather Hill

Principal

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS HELP OUR SCHOOL

Our playgrounds are looking fabulous with freshly replaced ‘softfall tanbark’ thanks to the work of ‘Lend Lease’ volunteers.

September 15 was the ‘Lend Lease Community Day’, which is held globally each year and draws thousands of employees from around the world  volunteering their time and skills to make a difference in the communities where they live and work.

Our school was fortunate to have seven volunteers to work in our school. What started off as a beautiful day deteriorated quickly, seeing the crew continue to shovel, wheelbarrow and spread the tanbark in the pouring rain for hours until all three playgrounds were complete. We’d like to thank Lend Lease for their hard work which certainly exceeded our expectations.

Chellee Plumb

Assistant Principal