Welcome back to Term 4!

I hope everyone enjoyed a restful break and is feeling refreshed and ready for the final term of the school year. Term 4 is always a busy and exciting time at Mitcham Primary School, filled with opportunities to celebrate learning, reflect on achievements and look ahead to the year to come.

Next Friday afternoon, we will commence our whole-school Step Up program, with five sessions scheduled throughout the term. These sessions provide students with the opportunity to visit the classrooms for the year level they will be moving into in 2027. During each session, teachers will introduce students to some of the differences between their current year level and the next, helping them become familiar with the expectations, routines and learning experiences that lie ahead.

Transition programs are an important part of supporting students as they prepare for a new school year. As the end of the year approaches, it is natural for children to experience a range of emotions. Some may feel excited about new learning opportunities, new challenges and the prospect of taking the next step, while others may feel a little uncertain about change or leaving behind the familiar routines and friendships of their current year level. Our Step Up sessions help to build confidence, reduce uncertainty and develop a sense of familiarity with what is to come. By providing opportunities to ask questions and explore their future learning environment, we hope all students feel supported, reassured and excited about the year ahead.

Looking ahead to 2027, we will be operating with 20 classes across our school, comprising three Prep classes, three Grade 1 classes, three Grade 2 classes, two Grade 3 classes, three Grade 4 classes, one Grade 3/4 composite class, two Grade 5 classes, two Grade 6 classes and one Grade 5/6 composite class. Students will discover their teacher and class placement for 2027 during the final Step-Up session on Tuesday 8 December, as part of our Meet Your 2027 Class morning. This will provide a wonderful opportunity for students to meet their new teacher, connect with their classmates and begin to feel comfortable and confident about the exciting year ahead.

We are also absolutely delighted to share some wonderful news about one of our own! Emmerson Hickleton, one of our Grade 4 teachers, has been announced as one of three finalists in the 2026 Teacher Excellence Awards. We nominated Emmerson in the category of Outstanding Early Career Primary Teacher, in recognition of the wonderful contribution she makes to our students and school community. Emmerson will attend the awards ceremony on Friday 23 October, and we will certainly be cheering her on! Regardless of the final outcome, we are incredibly proud that Emmerson has been recognised as a finalist. This is a fantastic achievement and a wonderful acknowledgement of the dedication, passion and commitment she brings to her teaching. Congratulations, Emmerson!

Finally, we have some very special news to celebrate within our Mitcham Primary School community, with the safe arrival of two beautiful new babies! Congratulations to Jayne Crigan and her husband, Sam, on the arrival of Sophie Paige Crigan, and to Ashlee Moore and her husband, Andy, on the arrival of Milla Blake. We are so pleased to hear that both mums and their gorgeous little girls are doing so well. As the accompanying photos show, Sophie and Mila are two absolutely gorgeous babies! We send our warmest wishes and congratulations to both families as they enjoy this very special time together. We look forward to welcoming them back to our school community when the time is right.

I wish all our students, staff and families a successful and rewarding Term 4, filled with wonderful learning experiences, positive connections and plenty of opportunities to celebrate our achievements. Have a lovely weekend, everyone!

Warmly,

Erin

Level 1