Principal's Report

Principal’s Report

Dear Merri-bek Primary School Community,

I am delighted to share that last week, we had the pleasure of hosting five principals from New Zealand along with two esteemed members of the Victorian Principal's Association (VPA). Their visit was a wonderful opportunity for us to showcase our school and engage in enriching professional conversations about school operations and leadership.

Our guests were particularly interested in how we cultivate leadership and middle leader capacity among our staff and how we bring our school’s vision to life. They were impressed with the quality of work produced by our students, the supportive tone of our school environment, and the various adjustments we make to cater to the individual needs of our children. Additionally, they praised the strong support from our parent community and were captivated by our beautiful library.

These visits are invaluable as they allow us to form meaningful connections with other principals and educators, exchange ideas, and gain fresh perspectives. As a token of their appreciation, our New Zealand visitors gifted us a beautiful book for our library titled ‘Aotearoa- The New Zealand Story.’   This thoughtful gift will be a cherished addition to our collection, and we look forward to sharing it with our students.

On Monday, Bianca and I attended the Government Schools Principals conference. We heard from Dr. Kirstin Ferguson, who is a highly respected leadership expert and author. She has an extensive background in various leadership roles, including positions in the military, corporate boards, and academia.  Dr. Ferguson's spoke about modern leadership practices with a particular emphasis on compassionate leadership. She provided practical strategies for principals to lead effectively, promoting empathy and a positive school culture.

We also heard from Dr. Jenny Donovan.  She is an esteemed educational researcher and policy developer. She has worked extensively with government agencies to enhance educational outcomes through evidence-based practices.  Dr. Donovan's session highlighted the latest research in educational methodologies and policy implementation. She offered insights on how principals can use research findings to improve school performance and student well-being.

These presenters brought a wealth of knowledge and expertise, offering valuable insights into leadership and educational improvement for school principals and leaders.

Thank you for your continued support in making our school a vibrant and thriving community.

Maria Giordano

Principal

Meet our new ES staff

My name is Pia Stathis. I have been working at Merri-bek this year and have loved every minute of. It is so rewarding working with students and being able to see growth overtime. I'm also studying to become a primary school teacher so spending time in the classroom as education support has been great to gain knowledge and experience. 

Hi! I'm Cara, a new aide at Merri-Bek with a passion for helping students in need, although students just know me as the lady with the funny voice! When I'm not at school, I spend my time reading manga, op-shopping and buying overpriced coffee.

Hello, I'm Aziz and I am currently in my second year of university studying teaching and looking forward to continuing to grow my knowledge and abilities at Merri-Bek Primary School. I am looking forward to creating many memories, having new experiences and getting to know the community.  

Hi everybody, I’m Holly. I grew up in Brisbane but moved down here last year. When I’m not at school I’m studying, cooking or reading. 

Oliver has completed his Certificate 3 in Education Support and is currently studying to become a teacher.

Principal's Day report from the School Captains

On Friday the 2nd of August, schools across Victoria will celebrate Principal’s Day. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Maria, our school Principal, for her significant contributions to our school. Since her arrival, Maria has been an exceptional principal, and we acknowledge all that she has done for us and the school community. 

Here's what the our students think of our wonderful Principal;

From Prep Mary said : she read a book to me in the library

From1/2 Lillian said: she's kind and helpful

 From 3/4 Ella said: she's kind and loving and she is always there for you when you need it.

From 5/6 Roisin said: whenever someone is in trouble, she is there to get you through it.

Sincerely your School and Vice Captains,

Orla, Daniel, Sonquette and Adil

AssistantPrincipal’s Report

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday even though it was quite chilly down in Melbourne if you didn’t get the chance to get away.  It has been wonderful to see all the students and families refreshed and ready for a big Term 3. 

In Literacy the staff are excited for our upcoming Curriculum Day with the wonderful Narissa Leung, otherwise known as “OzLit Teacher.”  She will be teaching us all about the 6 building blocks of Reading, with a particular focus on Phonological Awareness, Phonics and Vocabulary.  Dyslexia and Dysgraphia will also be explored and the types of adjustments students may benefit from.  

Book Week is coming up in Week 6 of this term with the wonderful Book Week Parade held on Monday morning the 19th of August at 9.15am.  I cannot wait to see what all the teachers and students dress up as! I have my costume organised and ready to go. The theme this year is “Reading is Magic.”  Our wonderful Librarian Helen has already ordered all of the books up for awards and will have them in the library for our students to explore. 

Bianca Hudson

 Assistant Principal