Principal's Message
Term 4-week 2
Watch This Space
Our Basketball Courts Are Coming!
Exciting news is on the horizon! We’re thrilled to announce that new basketball courts will soon be ready.
We can’t wait to see these courts become a hub for PE, games, practice, andafter school groups.
Division Athletics
On Tuesday, students from MPRPS participated in the Division Athletics competition. Congratulations to everyone who took part. You all demonstrated great effort, sportsmanship, and determination. A special congratulations to those who progressed to the next level of competition; your hard work and dedication have truly paid off. We are incredibly proud of every student who represented our school and showcased their talents. Well done to all for making us so proud!
Old School Meets New Model: Foundation Incursion Highlights the Power of Explicit Teaching
This week, our Foundation students took a step back in time during a wonderfully engaging incursion led by Mrs. Sargood. With an “old school” theme, students explored traditional methods of learning, and as teachers, we couldn’t help but notice how some things have truly come full circle.
The incursion not only captured the curiosity and enthusiasm of our youngest learners, but also served as a timely reminder of the power of explicit teaching, a practice that’s at the heart of the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model (VTLM) 2.0.
In fact, what once might have been considered “old-fashioned”, such as direct instruction, clear routines, and guided practice is now central to effective contemporary teaching.
Grade 3/4 Portsea Camp
The sun was shining brightly throughout the 3/4 Portsea Camp, creating the perfect backdrop for a fantastic few days of outdoor adventures, learning, and fun. The beautiful weather made activities like hiking, beach exploration, and team challenges even more enjoyable. It was a wonderful opportunity for the students to connect with nature, build friendships, and create lasting memories.
A big thank you to our dedicated teachers and supportive parents who attended the camp and helped make the experience so enjoyable and memorable for the students. Your involvement and encouragement played a vital role in ensuring everything ran smoothly and that the children had a safe, fun, and rewarding time.
Walk to School Weeks and Breakfast
To encourage and celebrate Walk to School week, MPRPS will be hosting a breakfast for students on Wednesday 29th October (Week 3) before school from 8:30am in the courtyard. Walk, ride or scooter, to school and come and join us for fruit, toast and cereal. To help reduce waste, please bring your own plates, bowls and spoons in a zip-lock bag.
If you are attending, please click the following form to help with catering.
We look forward to seeing you there.
2026 Class Structure
After extensive consultation and careful planning, we have decided to move away from multi-age classes and run straight grades for Grade 1 and Grade 2 in 2026.
This grade-specific approach aligns with the recent changes to the Victorian English Curriculum, which will be implemented next year. The revised curriculum emphasizes a structured progression of phonics skills, and we believe that having straight grades in the early years will better ensure that foundational skills are mastered before students advance to more complex concepts.
This change will also also allow teachers to tailor their instruction in othrer curriculum areas more specifically to the developmental and curriculum needs of each year level, providing a more consistent learning experience for students. It also enables more focused assessment and support, helping us to better monitor individual progress and intervene when necessary. Having students grouped by age supports their social development by fostering peer relationships and a stronger sense of community.
We will continue to keep a multi-age group for children in grades 3 to 6, as this helps widen their social networks. Mixing different ages encourages younger children to learn from older peers, while older children develop leadership and empathy skills. This diverse interaction supports social development, fosters cooperation, and creates a richer learning environment for all children involved.
Preparing for 2026 – Class Placements
If you know your family will not be returning to MPRPS next year, I would greatly appreciate it if you could notify the school as soon as possible. This information is invaluable in helping us with our class placement planning.
In the coming weeks, we will also be seeking student friendship preferences and would like to offer parents the opportunity to share any relevant information to be considered for their child’s placement in 2026. Please email any such details to me, with the title 'Attention Claudia' to mt.pleasant.road.ps@education.vic.gov.au by Friday, 31st October.
While we are unable to accommodate requests for specific teachers, please be assured that we carefully consider all factors to ensure each child is placed in a class where they will thrive socially, emotionally, and academically.
We Celebrate Thank Your Cleaner Day
On Wednesday, 15th October, we proudly celebrated Thank Your Cleaner Day, a special occasion dedicated to recognising the hard work, dedication, and often unseen efforts of professional cleaners who keep our workplaces, schools, hospitals, and public spaces safe, hygienic, and welcoming.
Cleaners play a vital role in our communities, contributing to our health and well-being every single day. This day is an opportunity for all of us to express our appreciation and say a heartfelt thank you to the cleaning staff who work tirelessly, often outside of regular hours, to maintain the cleanliness and comfort we sometimes take for granted.
Changes to digital device use
From 2027, the Victorian Government is introducing changes to the use of digital devices for students from Prep to Grade 6.
Under the new guidelines, schools:
- will no longer invite families to purchase or bring their own digital devices to use at school for Prep to Grade 6
will follow new recommended digital device times, including minimal device time for Prep to Grade 2; and a maximum of 90 minutes per day for grades 3 to 6.
These changes are intended to support families by reducing cost-of-living pressures. They will also support students by reducing screen-time which can reduce the risk of eye strain, sedentary behaviour, and reduced peer interaction. These reforms complement Victoria’s nation-leading mobile phone restrictions, ensuring an integrated approach to addressing digital distraction and the inappropriate use of technology.
What this means for our school
This means we will be ceasing our current BYOD program for Grades 3-6 from 2027 on. Instead, we will provide access to digital devices for use by students. Students who have been using BYO devices prior to 2027 will be able to continue to bring their devices to school, but we will be following the new recommended device use times. This includes minimal device time for Prep to Grade 2; and a maximum of 90 minutes per day for Grade 3 to 6.
Grade 3 families for 2026 have been sent separate communication and will be advised of next steps via Compass.
Thank you...
Thank you to parent, Joe Millar for donating and installing a bench seat in the Junior Playground, with a piece of 300 year old Blackbutt taken from an 1870's shearing shed.
Coming soon.....
