Thursday 16th February

Getting to know you interviews

Yesterday families and class teachers met and discussed everything they need to know to make 2023 a successful year. We had about 70% of families take up this opportunity. We find this a vital connection for communication to work in partnership with home and school.

This includes providing consent for accessing Hollie, our school chaplain, updating any food intolerances/allergies, use of images for media, local walking excursions and IT user agreements. Thanks to the families that have completed these online forms that are still open in your compass news feeds.

Should you need to have any further meetings throughout the year please arrange to do so by emailing your child’s teacher or the school.

If you have any feedback that you would like to provide please do so via emailing menzies.creek.ps@education.vic.gov.au or dale.mcinerney@education.vic.gov.au

House Athletics is coming soon – Monday 20th February

House Athletics Sports this year is for the Year 3 - 6 students. They will participate, within their age groups, in a variety of athletics disciplines. We look forward to the students having a wonderful day! Successful Year 3 - 6 athletes may have the opportunity to go on and compete in the EDEC Athletics Sports.

A compass news feed will be sent today with more information.

Students in Foundation, Year 1 and 2 will have an activities day planned later this term.

Working Bee/ Community BBQ/ Picnic – Friday 3rd March 3pm – 5pm

Our Term 1 Working Bee day has been set for Friday 3rd March from 3pm until 5pm. There will be a barbeque for all attendees and this will be our first community event for this year.

We will be aiming to prune trees and bushes, weed garden beds, some whipper snipping and have a basic tidy up of the school grounds.This is a great way to meet new families and catch up with old friends while helping out the school. Any time and effort would be greatly appreciated.

School Council

Monday evening, we held our 2023 School Council AGM. It was a chance to reflect on the achievements for 2022 and to thank departing members and welcome new members.

Thank you to our departing members Rowan Coxhead, Jono Neilson, Eric Thrane and Dean Wall

We thanked Rowan for his significant contribution to our School Council over the last 10 years. Rowan has been the President and Treasurer in his time amongst many other things he has done for our school – the latest being responsible for the egg and bacon rolls for the election day BBQ last year! Personally, I’d like to thank Rowan for his ongoing support and advice. It is greatly appreciated.

Jono has been instrumental in managing working bees, advocating for our school’s orchard (which is starting to fruit), keeping on top of our facilities and being our ‘go to’ for any jobs or advice. Jono has been on school council for 6 years and we thank him for his time, energy and effort.

Eric has been a member of our community relations subcommittee the last few years which has been a tough role with the many restrictions enforced by covid. Last year when we could run some community events Eric was instrumental in coordinating the Year 3/4 Space Night and assisting with the student disco which were huge successes. Thank you Eric.

Dean was a member of both the Preschool and Facilities subcommittees last year and he is to be thanked for his communication and commitment to our school community.

Although these parents are stepping down from School Council they will continue to help support the school which we are sure the rest of School Council and community are very grateful for.

We have welcomed Tash Soldatow as a member of the 2023 School Council.

Curriculum Days

Two curriculum days have been ratified by School Council where students will not be required at school.

Friday 10 March
Friday 11 August

School Uniform and being SunSmart

Students are required to be in full school uniform. This includes wearing of school hats. Please ensure these are labelled. No hat = no play outside, students will be directed to say under cover to avoid UV by going to the greenspace.

Birthdays – free dress

To make our students feel extra special on their birthday they are able to come in free dress. If the birthday falls on the weekend or the holidays they can arrange a day with their teacher when they will come in free dress.

Visitor’s to School

A reminder to everyone that we have a policy which requires all visitors to report to the office first, when entering the school. Should you need to visit the classroom, see your child at recess or are a helper at school, please report to the office first, to sign the visitor’s ipad. This ensures that in an emergency we are able to account for all people at school.

If you are having someone collecting your children that is not on your emergency contact list or does not normally pick up your child, can you please send a note to your teacher or let the office know.

Volunteers: Working with Children Check

Our school values the many volunteers that assist in our classrooms, at sporting events, on camps and excursions, and at other events and programs. To ensure that we are meeting our legal obligations under the Worker Screening Act 2020 and the Child Safe Standards, Menzies Creek Primary School is required to undertake suitability checks. Specifically, volunteers are required to have a Working With Children Check or equivalent.

Volunteers are asked to produce their valid card to the Office for verification on their first visit to the school in the following circumstances:

Volunteers who are not parent/family members of any student at the school are required to have a WWC Check if they are engaged in child-related work regardless of whether they are being supervised.
Parent/family volunteers who assist in school activities, regardless of whether their own child is participating or not
Parent/family volunteers who assist with excursions (including swimming), camps and similar events, regardless of whether their own child is participating or not.
Parent/community School Council members sitting on School Council,

To ensure you can fully involve yourself in the life of the school I encourage all parents and carers to ensure they have a valid Working With Children Check - they're free for volunteers!

Attendance

All children residing in Victoria aged between 6 and 17 years of age are required to attend school full time unless a formal exemption is granted. Daily attendance is essential to ensure that children have the best opportunity to learn and continue to consolidate their learning. If your child is unwell or going to be absent, please log it on Compass, including the reason for their absence.

Please note that Parent Choice is not a DET-approved absence - any time taken for purely personal reasons should be flagged with the Principal for approval. Teachers will be following up absences in the first instance.

First Aid

If your child is ill at school, or suffers an accident, we will give immediate care and appropriate first aid. However, it is necessary on occasions to contact families. Please make sure you notify the office of any changes to your or your Emergency Contact details as well as mobile phone numbers for our SMS system. Please also keep the Office informed of any change in medical issues faced by your children as this helps us to make the best choices for their welfare.

As we are in the middle of the fire season it is a good time to remind our families to ensure that all your details are up to date at the school. If you have changed address, got a new phone number or have a new alternative contact please contact the office to give us the details so that we are able to contact you if required.

Assembly tomorrow starting at 2:30pm.

We are having a cultural performance for the students to enjoy. Thanks to Anna Benjamin for organising this for us as part of our Reconciliation Action Plan.

Regards,

Dale McInerney

Birthday Celebrations

Hip Hip Hooray...

Happy Birthday to you!

FEBRUARY

MARCH