Principal's Report 

Dear families and friends of MPW,

We have returned to Term 4 and are straight back into things. Teams have been planning a range of exciting incursions, excursions and learning activities to support learning this term. Our teachers work hard to support our students to make connections across their learning through experiences and hopefully have some fun too.

I would like to acknowledge the work of our classroom parent representatives and parent helpers throughout the year, for excursions, camps, sporting events, fundraising activities, in the classroom and in general support of the school. These events and activities are able to run because of parent support, and also provides an opportunity for parents to be part of the learning and activities as well. There will be more opportunities to help out with the planned activities for this term, teams will reach out when finalising arrangements for these days.

Our JSC have been supporting Bree in the organising and promotion of this term’s Colour Fun Run. This will be held on Friday 27th November. This is held offsite at Maribyrnong Park. A note came home last week with information for families, and JSC members will be communicating more around the school over the next couple of weeks as well.

And finally, our Year 6 Graduation is set for Tuesday 15th December. Our graduation is a student led night, where students perform to their peers and families in creative ways about their time at MPW and are presented as graduates to their families and teachers.  

Staffing Updates

I would like to acknowledge the work of the following staff members who have recently informed the school that they will not be returning to MPW. Firstly, Amy Robinson who has been on family leave since 2019, and who some of our families may remember, taught at MPW from 2013.  Secondly, Jill Doogood, one of our Education Support staff who has also been on leave the past couple of years and has been at the school since 2012. I thank both Amy and Jill for their contributions to the MPW students and community and wish them all the best for the future.

Finally, Sharyn Reinke, who has been working at MPW since 2011 and joined the school’s administration team in 2016 , has also made the hard decision to step back from full-time work and will have her last day with us next Wednesday 21st October.  I would also like to thank an acknowledge the work and contributions of Sharyn to the school over the past 15 years, in the office supporting staff, students and families.  We wish her all the best for the future also.

2027 Transition Program

The 2027 Foundation transition program begins this week on Friday 16th October and continues on the Friday 23rd October and Friday 13th November. Our future foundation students will begin to familiarise themselves with the school, engaging in some activities in a classroom over these sessions. Parents are invited to information sessions to learn more about the school, curriculum and processes.

The final transition session for our new Foundation students is when we hold our whole school Transition Day later this term, on Tuesday 8th December. The whole school transition program supports all of our students to feel confident and excited about their new class and teacher for 2027.  This day coincides with our year 6 students orientation day to Secondary school. 

Upcoming Building Works

We have recently met with the VSBA (Victorian Schools Building Authority) and they will be commencing some building works and maintenance inside and outside of the Library building over the last half of this term, from Friday 30th October. Unfortunately, this means we will not have access to the building for the end of the year.  We are working on relocating our Japanese, Art and music spaces to allow them to continue their programs for the remainder of the year. The library will need to be closed during the building works, and therefore this will be the last week of borrowing for the year with returns next week and stocktake before the building is closed.  The builders will erect temporary fencing around the building for safety. The Eglinton Street gate closest to the 5/6 building will not be accessible from Friday 30th October, as this is where the builders will have their compound and site access.  The Eglinton Street gate near the BER building will still be accessible, or alternatively the Lennox or Athol Street gates can be used. 

Curriculum Day and Public Holiday Reminder

A reminder that Monday 2nd November is our final Curriculum Day for the year. This is the day before the Melbourne Cup public holiday on Tuesday 3rd November.  On this day teachers are provided time to work on their Assessment and Reporting requirements for Semester 2. This is in week 5 of the term is therefore a shorter school week, Wednesday to Friday.

School Review

Coming up on the 27th and 28th October we have our School Review.  This occurs in school’s every 4 years, providing an opportunity to reflect on the previous 4 years and school’s strategic plan goals, and then work on the next 4-year strategic plan for school improvement from 2027-2030.  On the review days, an independent reviewer, senior education improvement leader for our network, two principals from other schools, the school council president and school leadership members work to reflect, investigate through classroom observations and focus groups areas of both success and possible future focus. At the conclusion of the review days, the reviewer presents a review report to the school and school council and the newly developed 4-year strategic plan will be shared with the community.  We are looking forward to celebrating our hard work, highlights and strengths over these days and work toward the best areas of focus to make MPW even better over the coming years. 

We are looking forward to a busy, fun and engaging Term 4.

Regards, 

Jarrod

Principal