Milgate PS Weekly Newsletter

PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

Milgate Primary School would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land of the Wurundjeri People and we would like to pay our respects to the elders both past and present. Staff, students and the school community understand that we thrive, learn and live on Wurundjeri Country and we stand with all cultures united as one.

SCR@M | Milgate Podcast - Have a listen!

Our Year 6 students run a radio program by creating weekly podcasts on Spotify. The Year 6 students interview teachers and students about different things that have been going on in the school each week. As well as doing some reviews.

 

Check Out the Podcast and have a listen.

https://open.spotify.com/show/2SZRq1NT7mK1dji5uJmPXA 

STAFFING UPDATE

One of our Year 2 teachers, Emily Ceko, has gone on family leave and is being replaced by Jana Karountzos. Jana is an experienced PYP teacher. Amalie Walker, our part-time Performing Arts teacher, has also gone on family leave and is being replaced by Warwick Davies. Warwick worked at Milgate Primary School as a performing arts teacher in 2022. We welcome Jana and Warwick to Milgate and wish Amalie and Emily all the best with the arrival of their babies.

WRITING CONSULTANT MATT GLOVER

Matt Glover is a renowned international educational consultant from America, who has been working with the school, transforming our approach to Writing over the past four years. He has been working in classrooms this week, and all staff and students have benefited from his experience and guidance.

 

On Wednesday evening, Matt Glover held a presentation in the Manuka Building, where he delved into practical strategies for becoming a better writer, including the skill of noticing other authors' crafting, processes and genre-specific techniques. This fosters student agency and creativity in writing. He also provided insight into personalised instruction techniques tailored to each student's needs through conferences, one-to-one instruction, and goal setting. We would like to thank the parents who were in attendance for their participation and thoughtful questions on the night.

YEAR 1 INCURSION - POLICE AND AMBULANCE

This week has been a busy week with two visits from the outside community to help us with our new inquiry unit ‘How we organise ourselves’. 

 

On Tuesday Noni and Sarah from Doncaster Police Station came and explained to us their role within the community. They spoke about what their day looks like and all the different ways they can help us. We learnt that they have police horses, jet skis, boats, dogs and even helicopters. They explained all of the resources and tools they have to help them keep the community safe. We even had the opportunity to look at their car and hear the sirens. A massive thank you to Noni and Sarah for offering their time to come and share their role with the Year 1 students. 

 

On Thursday, Bec and Steph, who are paramedics, came and shared all about their role within the community. They spoke about how they help people who are sick or hurt within the community and explained all the tools they use. We had the chance to look at some safety clothes they wear and some of the equipment they use to help people who have been hurt. It was so fun to see inside the Ambulance truck and once again hear the sirens. Thank you so much Bec and Steph for your great lesson on what you do to help others.  

YEAR 4 INCURSION - BRICKS FOR KIDS

The Year 4 students have enjoyed participating in the Bricks For Kids Robotics incursion. They worked collaboratively to create a Lego model following a set of instructions, then programmed the Lego claw to open and close by pressing sensor buttons.

 

This was a great experience for the students to develop their teamwork and problem-solving skills. They demonstrated creativity and critical thinking as they navigated the challenges of constructing and programming their Lego models. The hands-on activity provided a fun and engaging way to learn how technology impacts our lives, which links with our current unit of inquiry, How We Organise Ourselves. We are proud of the students' achievements and look forward to more enriching experiences in the future!

DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES - 3D DESIGN AND PRINTING

This week, some Year 3 students used a 3D printing website called ‘Tinkercad’ to design an art piece as part of their inquiry into ‘How we express ourselves’. The inquiry looks at ways in which students can appreciate the arts that can be seen in our surrounding world, and develop an understanding that design changes over time. The Year 3’s spent time familiarising themselves with the website and started creating art pieces that will be printed using the school's 3D printers. 

 

Students sharing their design process and work:

 

“I designed a watering can and considered the function by adding holes so water can go through the pipe.” - Emily C

 

“I created a house for humans to inhabit, considered different patterns for the aesthetics and added windows so the sun can shine in.” - Evans L

 

“The function of my design is a friendship necklace and it uses pastel colours. I wanted to create this artwork to demonstrate the connection between me and my friends. I enjoyed making matching artwork with my friends” - Olivia K 

STUDENTS TAKING ACTION

Red Panda Network fundraiser

On Tuesday and Wednesday last week, I had a fundraiser to raise money for the red pandas. Red pandas are endangered, and there are only fewer than 3,000 left worldwide. With the help of my friends Isabel L and Ellie C and my cousin Althea K we made bracelets and necklaces to sell.  All the money raised has gone to the Red Panda Network to help protect and save the red pandas. Thank you to everyone who supported my stall - we raised a total of $145! 

 

Aria Sibbing Year 2. 

 

Some Year 6 students need your help!

The Year 6s are participating in a year long project called Exhibition where they explore topics and issues of their interest and share their findings with the rest of the school at the end of the year. All groups have to take action and as a part of that, a group including Violet H, Chloe V and Lucas L have placed a box in the Milgate Primary School office and are asking for half used scrap books and workbooks, and fairly new stationary like glue sticks and pencils (no sharp objects like scissors or staplers) that previous owners don’t need/want to be put in the box. 

 

These materials will be donated to people in need of education and the necessary resources to learn. Violet, Chloe, and Lucas hope you will join them in making changes and come by the school to drop off any of the materials listed above. 

 

The posters on the box can guide you to what is accepted. If you have any questions, they are happy to answer them!

 

Thank you for making a difference

 

Violet, Chloe and Lucas in Year 6

FOUNDATION 2025 | ENROLMENTS OPEN

Foundation 2025 Enrolments are now open so if you have a younger child eligible to start school next year, please see below or visit our website for more information.  This year we are an online system for new Foundation (Prep) enrolments to Victorian government schools, called VicStudents and following the statewide timeline as follows:

 

To get started:

  • Visit https://students.educationapps.vic.gov.au/s/ to create an account in your name and complete the online application for your child by Friday 26 July 2024. 
  • We will then review the information submitted and be in contact with you between Monday 29 July and Friday 9 August 2024.
  • You should accept one enrolment offer by Friday 23 August 2024. When accepting an offer, you will be required to provide additional personal and health information that will be shared with the school.
  • Take part in information and transition sessions during Term 4, 2024.
  • Your child will start Foundation (Prep) from Wednesday 29 January 2025.

LOST PROPERTY

Please check Lost Property (outside the staffroom) for any missing items.  We try to get named items back to classroom teachers once a week, so please ensure you name all your children's belongings.

 

Please contact the office if any of these items belong to you.

Please note, lost property not collected at the end of term will be disposed of.