Melton West Primary School

Principal's Report 

Dear Parents and Carers,

 

How exciting! Our 50th Celebration is TOMORROW, from 3.00 – 6.30. We look forward to welcoming all our current families, as well as past students, staff, parents and friends. Children will be dismissed at 3.05, and are welcome to stay around if their parents or carers or older siblings are with them. Please ensure you let you child know where you will meet them, as we are expecting a lot of people and assume it will be very busy around pick-up time. All activities are free. Food and drink will be available for purchase, as will a small number of memorabilia items. A “Pay Station” will be set up outside the library for all purchases. You will be given a ticket for the item you have purchased which you then take to the stall serving these things. Cash and credit card will be accepted.

 

School Dates for 2026: There have been changes to Victorian school term dates for 2026. This will provide an opportunity for Victorian communities to participate more broadly in the 2026 Commonwealth Games. The 2026 Commonwealth Games will take place across regional Victoria from Tuesday 17 March to Sunday 29 March 2026, with Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat, Gippsland and Shepparton hosting a range of activities and events for 20 different sports and 9 para-sports. 

The 2026 Victorian school term dates are:

  • Term 1: Tuesday 27 January to Friday 13 March 2026 
  • Term 2: Monday 30 March to Friday 19 June 2026
  • Term 3: Monday 6 July to Friday 18 September 2026
  • Term 4: Monday 5 October to Friday 18 December 2026.

For the list of school term dates until the end of 2030, refer to School term dates and holidays in Victoria.

 

Extend Vacation Care: As you would be aware Extend, our before and after school care provider, sent out a survey to find out how many people would use a School Holiday Care Program if it was located on our site. Unfortunately they did not get enough interest to run a vacation program at this point in time. If you require care over any school holiday period, contact them on 1300 366 437 and they will be able to let you know which is the closest school hosting a Vacation Care Program.

 

Vaping/eCigarettes: Parents, carers, schools, and community all play an important role in protecting children and young people from, and educating them about, the harmful effects smoking and vaping. Research from the Royal Children’s Hospital shows many parents and carers are not aware of the harmful effects or how their views about smoking and vaping can impact the likelihood of a young person taking up smoking or vaping. The Department of Education and Training has developed resources to help you learn more about the health risks of smoking and vaping, and some suggestions about how to talk to children and young people about vaping, and where to get support. To access the resources, go to https://www.vic.gov.au/smoking-and-vaping-advice-parents

You can also view this video on smoking and vaping from experts at the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne for health advice and tips for starting a conversation with young people.

At Melton West Primary School, the year 5/6 students recently participated in a workshop about Drugs and Alcohol with the message #NOTEVENONCE. It provided students with current scientific, medical and statistical information on the issues surrounding drug and alcohol use, particularly on the impact of use on the developing brain. However, since this workshop then we have had children bring vaping devices to school. Please have a conversation, guided by the resources above about your family’s values and expectation about vaping so the children see that you are aware of the issue and they understand your expectations.

 

Prep Transition Program: The 2023 Prep Transition Program will commence this month. All families with children enrolled should have received an invitation If they have enrolled. The dates are:

  • Tuesday 22nd November 10:00am – 10:50am
  • Tuesday 29th November 10:00am – 10:50am
  • Tuesday 6th December 10:00am – 10:50am
  • Tuesday 13th December 9:30am – 10:45am. (Children will meet their teacher for 2023 on this day)

Whilst these sessions are occurring for the children, parents are encouraged to stay on-site and hear about the wonderful programs our school has to offer, as well as how to help prepare your child for their first year of school. These session will also have guest speakers such as the School Nursing Service, our Out of Home Care service and much more. We look forward to meeting you and your child during these sessions.

 

Year 7 Orientation Program: Our Year 6s are preparing to embark on the next part of their learning journey – secondary school. To help each of the local Secondary Schools have provided a letter to each family. These will be given to the children early next week so please look out for them. If you have any questions we are happy to try to help but the best option would to call the Secondary College direct. 

 

Swimming: Unfortunately due to illness at the swimming pool, the scheduled swimming lessons for Year Prep and Year 5/6 that were due to occur this week needed to be postponed. I have heard from the pool and they are unable to service our booking for the Year 1/2s next week either. I am waiting to hear from them about whether they can cater for our whole school week beginning 28th November. We will let you know as soon as things have been confirmed with the pool. 

 

COVID RATs: Will still have a large number of RATs we can give to families if you would like to have one in your pantry in case any of your family members begins experiencing COVID like symptoms. Please send a message to your child’s teacher, or call the office or pop in the grab one.

 

 

High Levels of Learning for All

Michelle Costa

Principal