Dear Parents and Carers,

Ms Bergstrom’s Baby:

Some of you would be aware that Ms Bergstrom, who taught year 3/4 last year was due to have her baby in March this year. Over the holidays she confirmed her little boy, Bentley, was born on the 24th March 2025. Mum and baby are doing well and settling into life as a family with dad’s support. We are wishing them all the best and are looking forward to a cuddle.

Prep Enrolments 2026 Open:

If you or somebody you know has a child turning 5 before 30th April 2026, they are eligible to attend school in 2026. All children have a guaranteed place in their local school, and some schools, like ours, can accept enrolments outside their designated area. If you feel they are ready to start school next year and you would like to find out more about what we have to offer, please call the office to join one of our small group tours. These are fortnightly on a Wednesday from 9.30am or monthly in the evening at 6.00pm. To help with organising staff and preparing for an effective transition program, enrolments should be received by 25th July 2025.

2025 School Photos:

Our school photos will be occurring on Monday 5th May this year. Order forms will be distributed shortly- we are just waiting for them to arrive from the company. All students are required to wear school uniform on this day. We are looking forward to seeing everyone’s beautiful smiles!

Smile Squad:

Smile Squad is the Victorian government’s free school dental program. Smile Squad delivers free oral health promotion, dental check-ups and treatment to Victorian government school students at school. Good oral health prevents dental problems before they become serious. Smile Squad helps students stay engaged in school and ready to learn. Smile Squad offers all Victorian government school students free dental packs, check-ups and follow up treatment. All Smile Squad services are completely free. Any student enrolled in a Victorian government primary, secondary or specialist school is eligible. They do not need a healthcare card, Medicare card or the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS).

For families who handed in their consent forms by the 23rd April, your child/children will be seen throughout this term.

Smoking and Vaping Ban:

Parents, carers, schools, and community all play an important role in protecting children and young people from, and educating them about, the harmful effects of smoking and vaping. Research from the Royal Children’s Hospital shows many parents and carers are not aware of the harmful effects or how their views about smoking and vaping can impact the likelihood of a young person taking up smoking or vaping. The Department of Education has developed resources to help you learn more about the health risks of smoking and vaping. The resources include advice about how to talk to children and young people about vaping, and where to get support. To access the resources, go to https://www.vic.gov.au/smoking-and-vaping-advice-parents You can also view this video on smoking and vaping from experts at the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne for health advice and tips for starting a conversation with young people.

Inclusive Education:

Inclusive education means that all members of every school community are valued and supported to fully participate, learn, develop and succeed within an inclusive school culture. Victoria has a strong and vibrant education system that celebrates diversity and is committed to supporting the achievement and participation of all students. Inclusive education acknowledges that some children and young people have intersecting identities or additional needs that schools may need to take into consideration. These identities may relate to:

having a disability or additional learning needs
gender identity
sexual orientation
being an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person
race
cultural identity
speaking a language other than English
social factors
economic factors
experience of abuse, neglect or family violence.

The department is committed to embedding inclusive education in all school environments for students with disability and additional needs. All Victorians, irrespective of the school they attend, where they live or their social or economic status, should have access to high quality education. An inclusive education system enables all students to be welcomed, accepted and engaged so that they can participate, achieve and thrive in school life.

At Melton West PS many students have individual plans to support them in a variety of ways. It may be as simple as giving them access to some fidget toys in their classroom that they can use to help them focus, or more complex as having a modified learning program for some of their learning. You may see children around the school doing things that you think they shouldn’t be, such as being on the playground during learning time, however this may be part of their individual plan, related to an individual learning goal. If you have any questions or concerns, please make an appointment with a member of the Principal Class Team to discuss these.

High Levels of Learning for All

Michelle Costa

Principal

Extend Before & After School Care