Principal's Message

Congratulations Kate and Matt

We are excited to let our community know that Kate Molloy is expecting and will welcome a new addition in April 2025.

Congratulations to Kate and Matt.

Moving into the New Building!

We are very excited to announce that the first stage of our new building is almost complete - as you can see from the photos! We are preparing to move into the new classrooms throughout next week in order to start stage two of construction.  We are looking forward to having students in their new spaces and able to access the fabulous facilities as soon as possible.  In addition to our detailed moving plan outlined below, we are also preparing social stories to support students in managing the transition to help make this as seamless as possible.

Please see below for an overview of the move. We will have more specific instructions about packing and moving next week.

2025 Classrooms

While the Garden Wing (new classroom building near the hall/ kindergarten) has been designed for use by any age group, we plan to use this space for our most junior classes in 2025, due to its proximity to the junior Inclusive playground. In 2025, the Garden Wing will host Foundation and Grade 1 classes. Next year our senior classrooms will remain in the administration/classroom building (where they are located in 2024), and the Year 2 classrooms will be situated in the Modern Demountables near the bike shed and oval. Moving the Year 2s into the Modern Demountables provides an opportunity to "step up" from the junior school towards the senior, and positions the students physically in a location where junior and senior playground spaces are easily accessible. We believe this will support us in providing a safe, innovative and engaging setting for all students.

2024 Moving

While our plan requires quite a bit of movement, we have thoroughly considered our options and want to set up the students and classrooms for success for the remainder of the term and for 2025. 

At the end of next week, our Foundation and Year 1/2 classrooms will be professionally packed and prepared for moving on Saturday 26th October. While removalists are packing on Thursday and Friday, our junior classes will be held in Specialist rooms and 3/4 classrooms whilst the 3/4s are on Camp. On Saturday the 26th, the removalists will move the furniture into the new classrooms. On the morning of Monday October 21, Junior Students will participate in an alternative program from 9am to 11:30am so that classroom teachers can prepare the new rooms for students. After lunch, the students will begin classes in their new rooms, where they will remain for the rest of the school year.

Moving the Foundation Classrooms now will provide an opportunity for our current Foundation students to get to know the new learning space, where their classes will be held in 2025. This will support their transition to Year 1. This move will also enable our 2025 Foundation students to participate in an orientation session in their new rooms and will allow families to get to know the environment. Moving the two year 1/2 classes into the accessible Modern Demountable will mean that the furniture can remain in this building for 2025.

Garden Wing:

• FE, FT, FC
• 1/2S, 1/2E, 1/2A
• MiniLit/ Intervention

Modern Demountables:

• 1/2M
• 1/2KS
• Library and LOTE Storage (not accessible in 2024)

Creative Hub:

• Science and Performing Arts will move at a later stage

Playground Access

At the same time as the Garden Wing opens, students will regain access to the Web (hooray!). At this time, we will temporarily lose access to the junior playground, school garden, and two of the Modern Demountables closest to the old building. Once the old building is demolished, we will steadily regain access to other areas of the school. While the junior playground is closed, Year 2 students will be invited to use the senior playground at recess and lunch times, which will further support their transition to the senior school for 2025. 

During the junior playground closure, Foundation and Year 1 students will be able to use the Web, Courtyard, and grassed area by the oval. We are also planning for more lunch time clubs during this time, including active and passive supervised activities in the classrooms and school hall. The school garden will reopen as soon as possible (closure is planned only for 2 weeks), and our junior students will be able to access this at recess and lunch times.

Foundation Orientation

It was fantastic to have our first Foundation Orientation session on Wednesday, with many excited four year olds and their families attending. These orientation sessions are an integral part of our transition program and a great way for our 2025 Foundation students to begin adjusting to school and for parents/carers to learn more about our school. A huge thank you to Tegan, Emma and Ash for their organisation and to Rahima, Jane and Lou for ensuring that the morning ran smoothly for all. 

Class Placement for 2025: Week 2 Notice

Teachers put a great deal of thought into class placement for all students. The aim is to create balanced classes and take into consideration individual needs, as well as friendship options, to allow for the best possible outcomes for all students. 

Every student will be asked for friendship preferences and every effort is made to give them at least one friend from their list. Apart from friendship groups teachers will take into consideration the behaviour, academic achievement levels, gender balance and social and emotional needs of students. 

If you have a request to be taken into consideration for your child to support their education then please submit this in writing by emailing me at the school email address mt.pleasant.road.ps@education.vic.gov.au by Friday November 1st, as teachers will then commence creating classes. This is the only way to submit a request by parents and teacher requests are not an appropriate educational request as teachers regularly move around Learning Centres.

Digital Technology Community Forum

We invite you to join us for our Digital Technology Community Forum on Wednesday, 30th October, from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM in the school hall. This event is an opportunity for our community to share thoughts and ideas while learning how Digital Technology is utilised at our school. Your input is valuable as we work together to achieve the best outcomes for all our students. To help us prepare for the event, please fill out the Google Form to confirm your attendance and to share any questions or topics you would like us to address.

Please note this forum is for parents/carers only. We have provided other opportunities for our students to contribute their ideas.

We look forward to your participation!

Google Form https://forms.gle/9RSecpSpSE2dtFay8