Dear Parents and Carers,

What a beautiful time of the year – my favourite season Autumn. I love the variety of colours the leaves on deciduous trees change to. Our recent gardening works have added many new trees which are deciduous and they are splendidly changing their colours at the moment.

Anzac Day Service: This morning we received a letter from the Senior Vice-President of the Melton RSL Sub-Branch expressing his thanks to our School captains who played a pivotal role in the ANZAC Commemorative services, including the service we had at assembly on the 19th April and them participating in the Dawn Service on the 25th April, sharing the reading. He also mentioned that many dignitaries in the audience, including local politicians, commented on how impressive the children were and that their participation contributed to the true meaning of ANZAC – personal service and sacrifice for the security of our nation and for our future to live in peace and harmony. Thank you, Roselia, Ruby, Andrew and Henry and their families, for supporting the service and shining Melton West PS in such a positive light.

Prep Enrolments 2025 Open: If you or somebody you know has a child turning 5 before 30th April 2025 they are eligible to attend school in 2025. 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 would like to find out more about what we have to offer, please call the office to join one of our small group tour. 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 26th July 2024.

Premiers Reading Challenge (PRC): The PRC encourages children and students to read a set number of books over the year and record their efforts online. Since the Challenge first began in 2005, more than 4.3 million students have read over 60 million books. If you would like your child to participate and receive a certificate at the end of the challenge period, please register by visiting Premiers' Reading Challenge: information for early childhood services and parents | vic.gov.au (www.vic.gov.au)

Western Bulldogs Visit: Yesterday, the year prep students and their teachers had the pleasure of working with 3 of the Western Bulldogs players. They learnt new skills and fun facts and I know all the adults who follow the Bulldogs were overjoyed in meeting the players. Thank you to Mr Cliffe for his organisation with this.

Application for Year 7 Placement 2025 Form: Our Year 6s recently received a handout about the process of enrolling in secondary school for 2025. The first part of this process is to complete the form included and return to the school by FRIDAY10th May 2024. We collate the information and pass onto the secondary schools. They then inform us who they have accepted, and we will pass this on to parents/carers on WEDNESDAY 17th July 2024. If you do not get your preferred school, you can put in an appeal in writing to the school you prefer by Friday 26th July, with notification of the outcome sent in writing by Tuesday 6th August. If your appeal to the school is not accepted, you can then appeal to the Region by 20th August. You will be notified of a final outcome by 10th October 2024. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns, and PLEASE ensure your form is returned by 10th May.

Swimming Lessons Term 3: Swimming has been booked from Monday 2nd September until Friday 13th September, which is towards the end of term 3. The Prep – 2 students will go for 5 days (1 week) and the 3-6s for 5 days (1 week). Notes will be sent out early term 3.

High Levels of Learning for All

Michelle Costa

Principal

Community