Principal's report

Dear Parents, Carers and Students at Moonee Ponds West PS.

Today is National Tree Planting Day and with the help of Bunnings in Maribrynong, we will be planting in our school environment.  Thank you to Alyena  (3/4), Emma (P/1) and Brian (School Maintenance) for their work in enabling such a whole school event. Not only did we plant in the school environment but also the children were able to pot their own seeds!  Watching and nurturing living things is a special experience for children and of course is supporting this terms focus on sustainability.  Great to see so many parents and friends of MPW who were able to assist. Let us see your work grow!

Foundation Enrolments

This is an important message to the families of Moonee Ponds West who are yet to enrol their child for school in 2019.  We really need you to enrol before the end of August, so we can begin the planning for 2019.  As we have enrolment space, I will be accepting some children out of our local neighbourhood but cannot confirm these enrolments until we have all the ‘local’ families accommodated. 

This year our ‘Transition’ Program for Foundation students 2019 will be more comprehensive.  Details will be forthcoming to enrolled families before the end of Term 3.

A Self-Protecting Strategy

At Assembly last Monday, I spoke about a Kids Matter strategy for children to give ‘voice’ in situations.  The strategy is known by me, as the Three Step Telling strategy. I am encouraging children to use this strategy so that they can grow stronger on the inside!  The strategy has a focus on naming the person and naming the behaviour that is causing the difficulty.

Step 1: Name the Person

Step 2: Name the Behaviour

Step 3: Ask them to stop.

There is a repeat step, which gives space for compliance.  If the behaviour persists, getting an adult (teacher, yard duty teacher, parent and or trusted adult) to help of course is the next step and often has the desired outcome.  Sometimes telling an adult is seen by some (children included) as ‘dobbing’.  Dobbing only occurs when you have not given the other person/child a chance to change by speaking to them about their behaviour.  Did you know that DOB actually means Defend Our Buddies? By speaking and using the Three Step Telling as an enabling strategy for yourself, you are assisting your friend or buddy to behave in a way that is accepted. Give it a go.  Practice at home! See if you can build your inner shell or ability to bounce back!

Lost Property

We have quite a lot of lost property mainly causal clothes!!! Lots of $$$$$$.   I have ordered a clothes rack that will sustain constant hanging and movement, and some tubs to ensure this area has some order, maintained by our volunteer parents. After four (4) weeks, the items will be sorted, named items returned to classes and the unnamed to the second hand shop.  Encouraging your child to collect their items after playing or PE or Band or Performing Arts is the go.  We want all items to their rightful homes.

School Review

We will be having our School Review week 2 of Term 4.  This will run over 3 days with classroom observations, conversations with focus groups of parents and children and a panel of relevant people to form new goals for the next four years of operation.

To gain parental comment and rich feedback the Education Committee suggested a Parent Forum (August 9th at 7.00 pm in the Performing Arts Space) a survey to all families via COMPASS (which we are working on) and comment through the Principal Open Line.  Our local survey will be tabled at the next Education Committee meeting and circulated shortly afterwards.  Parents will be encouraged to participate in the method they feel suits them best. 

At present, we are drawing together the data sets to inform a rich Pre-Review Self Evaluation.  All the evidence we have at hand, is provided for the Validation Day, the first day of the review.  The school review opportunity is an exciting one as we review the past and plan for a stronger future.

Well that is about it from me.  Until we meet in person

Sincerely and in good faith

Kerri Simpson

Principal (Acting) at

Moonee Ponds West Primary School

School Review Parent Forum

You are invited to participate in a Parent Forum to contribute to our Pre Review Self Evaluation for the School Review.

When:  August 9th 2018 at 7-8 pm

Where: in the Performing Arts Space