From Our Principal

Newsletter  ~ Term 3, Week 4, 2024

Principal's Message:

Dear Parents, Carers, Families and Friends of St Mel’s Primary School,

In addition to our ongoing focus on learning, growth and achievement our students also benefit from participation and engagement in a range of activities providing opportunity to shine, demonstrate their skills and abilities.

Last week our school welcomed a contingent of Japanese students and their teachers for two days experience of Australian primary school life at St Mel's PS. Whilst these visitors enjoyed their cultural experience and were grateful for the opportunity to spend time in our Pastoral Groups, this visit also provided an opportunity for our children apply their Japanese language learning in real life conversations with these students and their teachers. Many thanks to our Specialist Language Teacher Demi Wood for coordinating the visit.

On Friday afternoon and evening the St Mel's Primary School Hall rocked with the sound, colour and movement of the annual Junior and Senior School Discos. Our guest DJ played awesome sets of popular hits keeping our learners out on the dance floor all night!

At assembly on Monday afternoon, I was extremely pleased to provide positive feedback to the children on their positive and enjoyable participation in this year's disco. The children certainly demonstrated our three school-wide expectations: Do Your Best, Help Others Succeed and Respect Our School! Thank you children for your wonderful participation in this annual event. Our community is also appreciative of the parents, staff and Parent / Carer Social Committee for volunteering their time to support and/or organise the event. 

Another opportunity for our children to shine is now rapidly approaching - the St Mel's PS Production! Children from all year levels will perform one the stage and under the 'spotlights' next week at Westside Performing Arts Centre in Mooroopna. With a cast of Year 6 student leaders featuring throughout the production, children from Foundation to Year 6 will perform their song and dance numbers for what looks to be a full house!

Many thanks to Robyn Banfield, our Specialist Arts Teacher, supported by the St Mel's Staff Team and volunteer parents / carers, in bringing together what promises to be quite a spectacle of entertainment. Tickets are now OPEN in a first come, first secured basis through Riverlinks. 

Principal's Reading Challenge:

This annual period of reading focus is on again in the lead up to our Book Parade to be held on Friday 23 August from 9:15am. Students are encouraged to read as many books as they can between now and the Book Parade with prizes on offer! I am looking forward hearing the grand total of books read across this couple of weeks' intensive focus on reading for enjoyment! (I am also looking forward to seeing everyone dressed up for our theme... "Reading Is Magic!"

Resident Author on Staff:

With Book Week approaching we also have the perfect opportunity to celebrate our very own published author Di Walker, Leader: Learner Diversity & Pastoral Wellbeing.

We are so fortunate as a school community to have a reknowned, respected and published author in our midst. As a teacher, Di has a passion for learning, literature and the English curriculum. In addition to providing outstanding support in her dual roles, Di has also actively supported students by sharing her literary talents with them in their Learning Suites.

From the 'About the Author' notes in one of her books... "[Di] likes to get up early to write, around dawn, when not distracted by the regular happenings of the day. When she's not writing, she likes to think she can garden, walks the dogs or listens to podcasts, mainly of writers talking about writing. Her debut novel, 'Unpacking Harper Holt' was published in September 2018.

Di's other novels are: 'Everything We Keep' (2021) and 'Saving Charli' (2023). 

Enrolment Interviews for 2025 School Year:

I am enjoying meeting with families seeking enrolment at St Mel's PS in Foundation and / or higher year levels for 2025. I am hoping to have completed all enrolment interviews over the next few weeks of term. Parents / carers with children to commence school in 2025 are urged to contact our School Administration Office now for possible placement in Foundation for next year. Please call (03) 5821 3163.

NAPLAN Student Reports

Parents and carers with learners in Year 3 and Year 5 have received their 2025 NAPLAN Student Reports this week. Please contact your child's Pastoral Group Leader (teacher) should you wish to discuss the NAPLAN Student Report in light of our broader regime of assessment data on student achievement and growth.

The information brochure for parents and carers sent home with the NAPLAN Student Reports is also available in a range of languages via:

https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/assessment/f-10assessment/naplan/Pages/parents/index.aspx

Student Free Days 2024:

Please find following a list of our remaining allowable Student Free Days for 2024 to support your planning for child minding:

Term Three:             

             Friday 13 September       -    Mathematics Professional Learning

             Monday 16 September    -    Student Assessment Data Professional Learning

Term Four:

             Monday 4 November       -    Report Writing 

             Monday 18 November     -    Planning Day for 2025

             Thursday 19 December   -    First Aid Professional Learning for 2025 

             Friday 20 December         -    Last Day for Staff Team

Notes:   Based on the availability of facilitators, the September dates create a long weekend for 

               families. (A reminder - there were no Student Free days held in Term Two!)

              The last day for students for the 2024 school year is Wednesday 18 December.

Kiss & Go Reminder - Please remain in your vehicle!

If you wish to park your car and enter the school grounds to pick up your children please park in the carpark next to the tennis courts and use to the school crossing to approach the school.

The Hamilton Street 'Kiss and Go' parking spaces are only to be be used by parents / carers who do not park the car and enter the school to pick up children. This supports a steady, safe flow of traffic at the end of the day.

Thank you also for your patience with new staff (including myself) becoming accustomed with family cars, names of children and faces of parents / carers. (Given we rotate the duty across school staff we get a bit rusty at times!)

Kind regards and best wishes for production week next week!

Stephen 'Steve' Hicks

Principal

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