WHAM!

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.

STEM PLANNING DAY

On Monday, our leadership team, along with classroom teachers, met with Melissa Gatt, Regional Director of Questacon, to kick off the planning for our 2025 STEM program. The team delved into the curriculum and explored resources to elevate next year’s program. Melissa's expertise and fresh ideas were invaluable in shaping our vision for the upcoming year, and we are excited about the innovative teaching and learning experiences ahead.

YEAR 6 | IMMIGRATION EXCURSION

On Monday, the Year 6 students went to Melbourne's CBD to learn about migration as part of our Where we are in place and time unit of inquiry. Strolling by the Yarra River, over the Sandridge Bridge and through the culture rich lanes, a walking tour guide stepped us through the waves of immigration that Melbourne experienced and the impact on our society today. Through the Immigration Museum, we explored the perspectives of what individuals experienced and the push or pull factors for migrating to Australia. 

YEAR 6 | MAV MATHS GAMES DAY

On Friday the 11th of October, four Milgate students headed off to Genazzano FCJ College in Kew for a day filled with maths and fun! Daniel C, Mathias C, Kathy D and Mishti C competed on behalf of Milgate Primary School in the Maths Association of Victoria Maths Games Day, where they solved problems, played competitive games and explored maths puzzles. It was a fantastic day of interacting with students from other schools and collaborating in order to solve challenging problems. There were 46 teams in total competing for a variety of prizes and our Milgate students did us proud! Our team finished in 3rd place which is a tremendous achievement!

FOUNDATION | EDENDALE FARM EXCURSION

On Wednesday, the Foundation students went to Edendale Farm as part of our inquiry into ‘Sharing the planet’. They were very excited about their first excursion with all their friends. The students learnt about some different animals, such as bees and worms, and how they are important for Earth - they even pretended to be worker bees doing lots of jobs around the hive! They also explored how we care for and use plants, getting the chance to plant a seed to take home and grow. The students had a fun-filled day as they shared and developed their knowledge, were inquirers as they asked questions and were caring when they considered how to be responsible for Earth. We would like to thank the amazing parent helpers who came on the day and the Foundation students for being open-minded and risk takers on their very first excursion!  

REMINDER | CLASS CONSIDERATIONS / STUDENT PLACEMENTS FOR 2025

Closing Date | Friday 25 October

The process of placing students into classes for the upcoming year is both complex and thoughtful. Teachers and school leadership invest considerable time and sensitivity in making these decisions. When forming individual classes, several key factors are considered, including academic ability, social competencies, gender balance, students who do and do not work well together, and friendship groupings crucial to each child’s social and emotional development. While students' current friendships are taken into account, they are only one of many criteria, as fostering new relationships is an important part of the educational journey and a valuable skill for students to develop. This decision-making process involves careful reflection and review over an extended period.

As part of this process, parents are invited to provide input. If your child has any learning or social needs that should be considered for their class placement in 2025, please email David Mander at david.mander@education.vic.gov.au to request the appropriate form.

Please note:

• Requests from previous years are not retained, as students' needs and friendships evolve over time. If a previous request remains relevant, parents must resubmit it by requesting the form.
• Multiple friendship requests or any requests that may affect another student’s class placement cannot be accommodated.
• Parents are not able to request specific teachers.
• If your child is a twin or has cousins at the school and you would like to request that they remain in the same class or be in different classes, you need to fill in this form. 

The closing date for submitting considerations is Friday, October 25th. Requests received after this date will not be considered.

CHANGING SCHOOLS?

If your Foundation - Year 5 child is moving to another school, please email elise.henderson@education.vic.gov.au or notify your child’s teacher as soon as possible so we can update our records and begin the transfer process.

LANGUAGE ARTS 

Developing the Learner Profile through Literature

The learner profile supports students in developing international-mindedness and in taking action for positive change. Exercising agency, students take ownership of their learning, express their ideas and opinions, and reflect on their development of the learner profile attributes. It embodies the qualities that educators aim to develop in students, fostering them into active, compassionate, and lifelong learners. 

Engaging with children's literature plays a crucial role in this development, as stories provide rich opportunities for students to explore and embody these attributes. For example, characters in diverse narratives encourage empathy and understanding, allowing readers to connect with different perspectives. Through imaginative tales, children can reflect on their own identities and responsibilities within their communities. By discussing themes and characters, literature not only enhances language skills but also nurtures qualities such as being open-minded, principled, and reflective—essential components of the learner profile.  

At Milgate Primary School, we are fortunate to have a rich diversity of high-quality texts, allowing students to immerse themselves in both fictional worlds and informative literature to empower learners to explore and develop the learner profile. 

Here are some questions you may like to use to explore and develop the learner profile with your child/children using the books you are reading at home: 

INQUIRERS

• How does the character's curiosity drive the story forward? Can you find an example?
• What questions do you have about the story or the characters?
• How does this book make you curious about the world?

KNOWLEDGEABLE

• What important lessons does the character share with others? How do these lessons reflect their knowledge?
• What new information did you learn from this book?
• How can you connect what you learned to other subjects or topics?

THINKERS

• Can you identify a moment when the character had to think critically about a challenge they faced?
• Why do you think the character made that choice?
• How would you solve the problem the character faced?

COMMUNICATORS

• How did the character express their thoughts or feelings to others? What words or actions were effective?
• What role did communication play in resolving conflicts among the characters?
• How would you describe the main character to a friend?
• What do you think the author is trying to say with this story?

PRINCIPLED 

• In what ways did the character uphold their values throughout the story?
• What values or lessons do you think are important in this story?
• How did the characters demonstrate honesty or integrity?

OPEN-MINDED

• How did the character react when they encountered someone with a different viewpoint? What did they learn from that experience?
• What different perspectives do the characters have?
• How does this story help you understand a culture or experience different from your own?

CARING

• What actions did the character take to support or help others? How did these actions show their caring nature?
• How did the characters show kindness to one another?
• What can we learn from this story about helping others?

REFLECTIVE

• What moments of reflection did the character have throughout the story? How did these moments affect their growth?
• How do you feel about what happened in the story?
• What would you have done differently if you were in the character's shoes?

Some examples of wonderful texts we use at Milgate with connections to the learner profile: 

BALANCED

Book: Like the Ocean We Rise by Leanne Tame

This beautifully illustrated book explores themes of emotional balance and resilience, reflecting on the ups and downs of life through the metaphor of the ocean. It encourages readers to recognise and embrace their emotions, promoting a balanced approach to mental and emotional well-being. By illustrating how challenges can coexist with moments of joy and peace, the book fosters an understanding of the importance of maintaining balance in one’s thoughts and feelings.

This text serves as a powerful reminder of the value of emotional balance, encouraging students to navigate their own experiences with mindfulness and resilience.

OPEN-MINDED 

Book: Mirror by Jeannie Baker

This beautifully illustrated book presents parallel stories of two children living in different cultures—one in Australia and one in a Middle Eastern country. It encourages readers to embrace diverse perspectives, fostering understanding and empathy for different ways of life. The visual narrative invites reflection on cultural similarities and differences, making it a powerful tool for promoting open-mindedness.

This book can spark discussions about global citizenship, cultural appreciation, and the importance of understanding others, aligning perfectly with the attributes of the PYP Learner Profile.

CARING

Book: Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox

This heartwarming story follows a young boy named Wilfred Gordon, who befriends an elderly woman in a nursing home. When he learns that she has lost her memory, he takes it upon himself to gather items that evoke her memories and bring joy to her life. This narrative beautifully illustrates the theme of caring, emphasising the importance of compassion, empathy, and connection across generations. Through Wilfred's actions, readers learn about the value of kindness and the impact of caring relationships.

This book encourages children to reflect on how they can be caring individuals in their own communities, promoting a sense of responsibility towards others.

TERM 4 WRITING UNITS

Weeks 1-5 | Weeks 6-11

ANDY GRIFFITHS 

Following on from the State Library Victoria’s launch of Andy Griffith’s new book, Adventures Unlimited: The Land of Lost Things! Milgate Primary School was one of ten schools chosen to win a signed copy of Andy's new book which will be available to view and enjoy at the library. 

HAYFEVER SEASON ALERT 

We have had a large increase in the number of students presenting to First Aid with hayfever symptoms since the start of term.  If your child suffers from hayfever, please ensure they take their antihistamine medication every morning while the pollen count is high.  The pollen count can be tracked on the www.melbournepollen.com.au/ website. Alternatively, please bring medication or eye drops to school for the duration of this period.  

Medications must be dropped off by a parent and a Temporary Medication Form filled out at the office.