Dear Families

The last day of the year is fast approaching: but, as is usual, there is still a lot going on in the life of the school.

Upcoming events:

Year five swimming program, which is happening this week
Foundation to Year two athletics day is Friday 9th December. Information was sent home yesterday.
Year six graduation is 15th December, 6pm in our school gym. Please note, as we have number restrictions, this is a ‘by invitation only’ event, up to 2 adults per student. More information will be provide by letter to the Grade 6 students.

Christmas Raffle

Tickets for this annual fundraiser went home last week. Tickets are a $1 donation for one ticket or 12 for $10. Prizes include:

A Melbourne Storm Jersey – signed by all members of the Melbourne Storm senior team
A weekend or 3 nights midweek in a Big Four caravan park
A family pass to Luna Park
5 passes to Inflatable World
2 year Big4 membership
Lenscape Optical - Manor Lakes $200.00 voucher
Plus many, many Christmas hampers: created as a consequence of the generous donations of our school community.

We are still seeking further donations from our community to put into our Christmas hampers. These can be toys, food items (in date please), Christmas ornaments and decorations.... the list is endless. All that we ask is that they are new, and not past their use by date. donations can be dropped with your child’s class teacher or at the front office. THANK YOU so much to those who have already sent in donations for the raffle.

To be included in the draw, raffle tickets and money need to be returned to school by Friday, December 16. The raffle will be drawn by the school captains and vice captains on Monday, December 19.

Last day of school

Parents please note that school finishes for the year at 1.15pm on Tuesday, December 20, following a whole of school assembly so that we can say goodbye to our year six cohort. Children will need to be collected earlier on this day. Other things to note about the last day:

This is a casual dress day for students
There is NO lunch break on this day – students will need to have lunch when they get home
NO school bags are to come to school on the last day. Any that arrive will be kept at the front office
After school care will commence at this earlier time
The canteen will be open at recess but will have limited stock available for sale

First day of school for 2023

The first day of school for ALL students is Tuesday, January 31st. This may be different to other local schools

Term dates and curriculum days for 2023

Term one:

Staff resume Friday, January 27; students commence Tuesday, January 31. Foundation students have Wednesdays off for the month of February

Last day of term: April 6

2023	Start date	Finish date
Term 1	27 January (students start 31 January)	6 April
Term 2	24 April (Common day – pupil free; students start April 26)	23 June
Term 3	10 July	15 September
Term 4	2 October	20 December

Curriculum Days for 2023 (NO students to be at school)

School council has approved the following days as pupil free in 2023.

Friday, January 27
Monday, January 30th
Wednesday, February 15th
Monday, November 6th (day before the Public Holiday for the Melbourne Cup

There is also a further common day in 2023 whereby teachers will engage in professional learning all on the one day as opposed to having relief teachers to cover them for a day or two during the term. This has been set for Monday, April 24 which is technically the first day of second term, which would then be followed by a public holiday the next day for ANZAC Day. Hence term two for students resumes on Wednesday, April 26th.

Student reports

Teachers are currently finalising the term four reports and these will be released to parents on or about Tuesday, December 13. If you have any questions about your child’s report please make a time to see the child’s class teacher.

Foundation class of 2023

Yesterday was the second opportunity this class had to visit school as a part of orientating them to school next year. If you know of a young person due to start but who is not yet enrolled please get their parent or guardian to contact the front office as a priority. If this is done this week these children may have the opportunity to participate in the last two of our transition sessions.

Student leaders for 2023

Over the course of the past ten days students and staff from our year five cohort have been actively involved in the selection process for the student leaders for 2023. This involves presentations to their class group, and interviews with a selection panel. At the conclusion of this we are very happy to announce the appointment of the following students to this role in 2023:

School Captains for 2023

Isabella – 5RB

Yemi – 5LC

Vice Captains

Mae – 5MS

Farheen – 5MS

House Captains

House captains candidates will have their interviews today and the successful candidates will be announced at assembly next Monday.

Practice lock down

As a part of our documented Occupational Health and Safety Processes we practice emergency evacuation and also lock down drills each year. Last week we undertook the lock down drill and are pleased to report that the school was secured in a timely manner and our systems worked well.

Sue Seneviratne

Principal

STUDENT OF THE WEEK