From the Acting Principal
RETURN TO SCHOOL
What a wonderful buzz there has been around the school as students have started returning to school on site.
Our students have definitely demonstrated how adaptable they are to change, as they’ve shifted quickly back into school routines. With play and sports equipment available in the yard, students have quickly engaged in positive play. Although they have settled so well, yard duty teachers will be on the look out for students who may need a little help reconnecting with peers and keeping classroom teachers informed.
CURRICULUM DAY ON MONDAY
Monday 1 November is our Curriculum Day.
On this day, teachers will be dedicating the time to analysing student work and moderating against the Victorian Curriculum Standards in readiness for reporting.
The date and agenda for curriculum days are approved by School Council and as our next meeting is not until 15 November, we will not be changing this date.
The Curriculum Day is a pupil free day. Should students require care, parents can contact TheirCare to make a booking.
All children return to school on Wednesday 3 November.
PREP 2022 PARENT INFORMATION EVENING
Last Tuesday, the parents of our new prep students were invited to an online information evening.
Even though we couldn’t meet in person, it was so lovely to see so many faces and have the opportunity to welcome new families to the Murrumbeena Primary School community. Parents were provided information regarding the transition program and, as restrictions lift, it looks like we will be able to have the new prep students on site earlier than anticipated.
Prep Transition sessions will be held on the following days:
- Friday 12 November
- Friday 19 November
- Friday 26 November
- Friday 3 December
- Tuesday 7 December-(which is a state-wide transition day) arrangements TBC
CLASS PLACEMENTS
Determining class lists for the following year is quite a lengthy and considered process. On occasion, parents have particular requests when considering the most suitable class for their child. For example, social and emotional issues and friendship groups.
We are NOT able to take requests for particular teachers, as staffing for the following year is not finalised until much later.
Parents must make their request in writing and email it to the school at Murrumbeena.ps@education.vic.gov.au
no later than Friday 14 November.
Parents often mistakenly assume that because they have emailed the school in the past about their child’s placement in a class, that the school will consider that same request again. This is NOT the case.
Students mature and change and so previous requests become null and void. Parents must consider their child’s needs on an annual basis and if a specific request is still requiring consideration, then parents must notify the school in writing. Our class Placement Policy can be found on the school’s website.
CONFIRMATION OF STUDENTS FOR 2022 - THIS IS VITAL
It is crucial to our planning to have accurate numbers of students at each year level. This determines our ability to staff the school and plan for the required number of classes.
If you have plans to relocate to another area and/ or enrol your child in another school, please advise the school as a matter of courtesy, as soon as your decision is known (again, it helps with managing staffing and resources).
SCHOOL ACCOUNTS
I would like to thank the numerous parents who have already settled their 2021 school accounts. This week we sent home statements for the 2021 Parent Payment, Excursion and Swimming levies.
As this is an unprecedented year, teachers are still fine tuning activities for the final six weeks of this term that will incur costs.
In late November we will post excursion levy details outlining expenses.
SPEECH PATHOLOGIST
Murrumbeena Primary School has joined with three other schools in our network to appoint a speech therapist to work exclusively in our schools. We are excited to welcome Daisy Bendle to MPS who will commence at our school on Monday 8 November.
Initially, Ms Bendle will work with our staff to get to know our Learning Intervention Model and become familiar with our current practices and then she will work with us to identify students for further speech and language support.
Our school is already aware of students with specific speech and language needs, so we will be in touch with those parents in due course prior to Ms Bendle working with students.
WHOLE SCHOOL WEBEX ASSEMBLIES
This Friday will be our final whole school assembly in remote learning. As students will all return to school from Wednesday 3 November, assemblies will take place at school, but still via WebEx.
I would like to take this opportunity to give a HUGE shout out of thanks to Miss Callanan and Miss Seares, who work with our school captains every week to plan and prepare the assembly.
I’m sure you will agree that our school captains have done an outstanding job of keeping our school connected and informed.
To Calvin, Audrey, Monako, Bimal and Anya, we couldn’t have done our assemblies without you. We watched your confidence grow over the weeks as you found new stories to present and engaging ways to share school news.
You are totally awesome.
Thank you.
Rochellee Plumb