Principal's Report

Volunteer Induction Sessions – Get Involved at Marlborough Primary School!

We truly value the contribution that volunteers make to our school community. Whether it’s supporting learning in the classroom, being a member of the school council, assisting at Breakfast Club, coaching a sports team, or helping with fundraising events, volunteers play a vital role in enhancing the experiences of our students.

Volunteering at our school is a rewarding experience. It offers the chance to connect with our students, contribute to their growth, and be part of a welcoming and supportive school community. Many volunteers find that their involvement benefits students and brings them a great sense of fulfilment and connection.

There are many ways to get involved, including:

• School Council – Contributing to the governance and strategic direction of the school.
• Fundraising – Supporting initiatives that benefit our students and school resources.
• Parents’ and Friends’ Association – Leading and assisting with fundraising events and activities.
• Classroom Support – Assisting teachers in providing additional learning support.
• Whole-School and Classroom Events – Helping with special events such as concerts, celebrations, and excursions.
• Sporting Events & Coaching – Supporting students in school sports activities and coaching opportunities.
• Breakfast Club – Assisting with providing a nutritious and welcoming start to the day for students.

If you are interested in volunteering, we encourage you to attend one of the induction sessions. These sessions ensure that all volunteers understand their roles, school policies, and expectations, helping to create a safe and supportive environment for our students.

You will also need to hold a current Working With Childrens Check, which you can apply for online.

Session options:

• Tuesday 5th March – 3:00-3:30pm
• Thursday 28th March – 9:15-9:45am

If you would like to know any more about the way that you can help, please reach out for a chat. 

School Council Nominations Now Open!

Speaking of great volunteer opportunities, we are now accepting nominations for our School Council. This is a fantastic opportunity for parents, carers, and staff to be actively involved in shaping the future of our school. 

The School Council plays a key role in school governance, working alongside leadership to guide policies, oversee financial planning, and support improvements to our learning environment.

Members have the opportunity to join sub-committees, including:

• Governance – Policy development and management.
• Publicity & Promotions – Community engagement, school communications and marketing.
• Building & Grounds – Maintaining and improving school facilities.
• Finance – Overseeing the school’s financial planning and budgeting.

Key Dates:

• Nominations close: Wednesday 12th March, 4:00pm
• Election (if required): To follow after nominations close

You can nominate yourself or someone else for a position on the School Council. Nomination forms are available at the school office or attached to the Compass post sent this week. If you’re interested, we encourage you to apply and help make a difference at our school. 

For more information, please contact the school office.

Drop-Off and Pick-Up Zone Safety

To ensure the safety of our students and keep traffic flowing smoothly, we ask all families to follow these guidelines during drop-off and pick-up times:

Kiss and Drop Zone – The car parks near the playground at the front of the school are designated kiss and drop zones. Please avoid parking in these spaces to prevent congestion. Keeping this area clear improves visibility for students crossing and cars coming around the corner. Let’s keep our students safe!

Onsite for Drop Off and Pick-Up – We love having parents and guardians onsite during pick-up time! It’s a great way to connect and feel part of the community. However, if you prefer to park and collect your child from within the school grounds, please use the parking spaces on the far side of the staff car park entrance.

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our school environment safe and accessible for everyone!

Save the Date: Family Fun Night

We're excited to announce that Family Fun Night is coming up on 27th March from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. 

We look forward to having as many families as possible join us at the school for a BBQ, great conversation, and fun games for the kids!

More information will be shared in the coming weeks, but for now, be sure to save the date!

Parent-Teacher Conferences

The parent-teacher conferences will be held next Tuesday between 2:00pm and 6:00pm. If you haven't made your booking yet, I encourage you to do so as soon as possible. Please use Compass to schedule your appointment. Our teachers are looking froward to catching up with you. 

Primary Maths and Science Initiative Update

As part of our commitment to continuous improvement and enhancing the educational experience at Marlborough Primary School, Bec Fraser, Caitlin Lindsay, and I had the fantastic opportunity to travel to Shepparton for a two-day professional learning experience as part of the Primary Maths and Science Initiative.

We were exposed to some exceptional educators, researchers, and professional learning facilitators. The sessions encouraged us to explore deeply, interrogate research, and contextualise our learning in meaningful ways. Caitlin and Bec are currently working part-time outside of the classroom – they will use this time to develop curriculum, pedagogies, and strategies to improve mathematical mindsets that will set our students up for success for years to come.

We are excited to continue to develop in this space to ensure our approach remains forward-thinking and responsive to the needs of our students.

Every Day Counts 

The Importance of School Attendance – Every Day Counts!

We know that every day of learning matters. Regular attendance helps students achieve their best academically, build strong social connections, and develop positive learning habits. Missing just one or two days a month can add up over time and impact a child’s progress.

• Every day counts – Consistent attendance supports academic success and social development.
• Routine matters – Daily attendance builds strong learning habits that benefit students long-term.
• Absences add up – Missing school regularly can make it harder for students to keep up with their learning.
• Social connections – Attending school each day helps students feel included and connected to their peers.

Supporting School Attendance

We understand that challenges can sometimes make it difficult for students to attend regularly. If your child is experiencing barriers to attend—whether it’s anxiety, illness, family circumstances, or other concerns—please reach out to us. We are here to support families in finding solutions, whether through wellbeing programs, adjustments to routines, or additional learning support.

Sick or Unwell

However, if your child is unwell, they should stay home. Sending sick children to school can affect their ability to learn and often leads to illness spreading, impacting other students' attendance.

If your child is unable to attend, please notify the school as soon as possible. Let’s work together to ensure every student has the opportunity to thrive while keeping our school community healthy!

Policy Updates 

Our Child Safety and Student Wellbeing and Engagement policies have been updated to align with our current school practices and Department of Education guidelines. I encourage you to read them. If you would like to provide any reflections or recommendations to the policies, you can message me via Compass. 

Warmly,

Tim Mulhall

Principal