Principal’s Report

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome back to our existing and new families. We also welcome our new staff:-

Yasmin Ozsoy- Foundation teacher
Tess Haycox- 1/2 teacher and team leader
Kristina Bounas- 1/2 teacher
Annaliese Richards- 1/2 teacher
Sophie Oakes- 3/4 teacher
Callum Blackburn- 3/4 teacher
Anna Maxwell- 5/6 teacher

What a wonderful first week back at school. The children are so settled and enjoying reconnecting with their teachers, support staff and peers. There is a real buzz of excitement in both classrooms and the yard. With the beginning of any school year, there is always a certain amount of nervous anticipation and excitement about the return and no more so than this year.

I have thoroughly enjoyed visiting the classrooms and catching up with students at the front gate and in the yard, hearing about holiday adventures, lost teeth, and new shoes. All classes have settled in very well, enjoying seeing their friends and teachers.

Prep Orientation

I would like to formally welcome all our Foundation students to Merri-bek Primary School and congratulate everyone on a smooth and successful transition with a special mention to our new families. It is an absolute joy and privilege to be a part of a child’s primary school education. Everything is new, exciting, and wondrous. Every story is enthralling, everyone is a friend, and everything is fun! The children have demonstrated high levels of independence and resilience over their first few days and are set for a successful 2026. This is a wonderful testament to the fantastic partnerships between home and school. Our Year 6 students have been thrilled to spend so much time with their buddies.

Child Safe

Merri-bek Primary School is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. This will be the primary focus of our care and decision-making. Merri-bek Primary School has zero tolerance for child abuse.

We are committed to providing a child safe environment where children and young people are safe and feel safe, and their voices are heard about decisions that affect their lives. Particular attention will be paid to the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, as well as the safety of children with a disability and children who are vulnerable.

Every person involved in Merri-bek Primary School has a responsibility to understand the important and specific role they play individually and collectively to ensure that the wellbeing and safety of all children and young people is at the forefront of all they do and every decision they make.

On arrival at Merri-bek Primary School, all volunteers, visitors and contractors must make contact with the office, sign in at the front desk and wear a visitor’s badge while on site.

School Council Election

All government schools in Victoria have a School Council. They are legally constituted bodies that are given powers to set the key directions of a school within state-wide guidelines. In doing this, a School Council can directly influence the quality of education that the school provides for its students. Parents on School Councils provide important viewpoints and have valuable skills that can help shape the direction of the school.

Membership on the council is for a period of two years and regular meetings are held twice a term. If you would like to know more about being a councillor or nominate, don’t hesitate to give me a call or send an email at maria.giordano@education.vic.gov.au.

You can also connect with our School Council President, Sean Gan, or any current council members for insights. During the nomination period, starting 6th February, I will be available to answer any questions about joining the School Council.

Our council currently has the following vacancies to be elected for 2026:-

Three parent/carer vacancies available to contribute to this important process. One current parent representative on School Council has completed their two-year term and intend to re-nominate. However, we warmly encourage other interested parents and carers to consider nominating as well.
Two DET member vacancies (staff members)

Nominations for School Council will close at 4pm on Friday 13th February. Please find the nomination form attached below. Copies are also available at the school office.

If we receive more nominations than positions available, an election process will follow in the coming weeks. We will confirm the final membership of the 2026 School Council in the newsletter, and on Compass, when the nomination/election process has been completed.

Refer to the School Council Election Process and timetable below.

a) Notice of election and call for nominations- Friday 6 February 2026

b) Closing date for nominations- close by 4.00pm Friday 13 February 2026

c) Date by which list of candidates and nominators will be posted- Monday 16 February 2026

d) Date by which ballot papers will be prepared and distributed- Tuesday 17 February 2026

e) Close of ballot-by 4.00pm- Friday 20 February 2026

f) Vote count- Monday 23 February 2026

g) Declaration of poll- Monday 23 February 2026

h) First council meeting to co-opt community members and to elect office bearers (the principal will preside)- Monday 2 March 2026 4.00-6.00pm.

Privacy Policy

Our school collects, uses, discloses and stores student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the Schools’ Privacy Policy. Please take time to remind yourself of our school’s collection notice, found on our website. For more information about privacy, refer to: Schools’ Privacy Policy-information for parents and also the document included in this newsletter.

Assistant Principal's Report

NAPLAN

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a literacy and numeracy assessment that students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit each year. It is the only national assessment all Australian students have the opportunity to undertake.

NAPLAN assesses the literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through the school curriculum and allows parents and carers to see how their child is progressing against national proficiency standards.

NAPLAN tests are one aspect of our school’s assessment and reporting process and do not replace the extensive, ongoing assessments made by teachers about each student’s performance. Each teacher will have the best insight into their students’ educational progress.

NAPLAN is made up of tests in the 4 areas (or ‘domains’) of:

reading
writing
conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation)
numeracy.

https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/for-parents-carers

Just remember that this is one test per area and that it is similar to other tests students have done before. Teachers will support students if they have any anxiety. Please let us know if you have any concerns. Above is the website with information for parents and carers.

Community News