Principal's Report

Principal’s Report

Welcome to 2025!

As we begin another exciting school year, we are delighted to reconnect with our school families. I trust the summer has provided you with some very special family time, and we have been delighted to welcome students back to school today- school is far too quiet without them!

To all our new families, we would like to extend a huge, warm welcome to the Merri-bek Primary School community, we look forward to getting to know you and building a positive and trusting relationship.

A huge welcome back to our returning families. We hope that the past five weeks have been a time for some relaxation, rejuvenation and happy times with your family and friends.

We also welcome our new staff:-

Tristan Kelly- 1/2 teacher and team leader
Tasneem Bekai- 1/2 teacher
Gabby Furst 3/4 teacher and team leader
Jack Brown- 5/6 teacher
Ella Sandy-Sgro- Educational support staff member
Tom McKenzie- Educational support staff member

At Merri-bek Primary School, we aim to provide a safe, secure, stimulating and calm learning environment where high expectations for academic pursuits are the norm, where students feel safe, valued, where their thoughts and opinions are considered and effort is recognised.

We welcome our Foundation students

The enthusiasm of our children returning has been electrifying, which has been wonderful to see as they walked through the gates on their first day back on Wednesday. Our Foundation children enjoyed their first day of school, being able to explore our grounds and begin to discover all the wonderful things MPS has to offer. Our Preps have all spent some time with their buddies and we can already see many strong relationships forming.

It is so true, schools are just buildings, without the people, sounds and interactions that brings a community together and the love of learning for life.

Our grade 6 students have begun the process of electing our school leaders for 2025 and I will be listening to their speeches next week.

Our Start up program has been a great success in settling the children into the routines and expectations for a successful year.

We look forward your involvement in our 2025 school year, creating a year of meaningful learning and community.

Child Safe:

Merri-bek Primary School is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. This will be the primary focus of our care and decision-making. Merri-bek Primary School has zero tolerance for child abuse.

We are committed to providing a child safe environment where children and young people are safe and feel safe, and their voices are heard about decisions that affect their lives. Particular attention will be paid to the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, as well as the safety of children with a disability and children who are vulnerable.

Every person involved in Merri-bek Primary School has a responsibility to understand the important and specific role they play individually and collectively to ensure that the wellbeing and safety of all children and young people is at the forefront of all they do and every decision they make.

On arrival at Merri-bek Primary School, all volunteers, visitors and contractors must make contact with the office, sign in at the front desk and wear a visitor’s badge while on site.

Privacy Policy

Our school collects, uses, discloses and stores student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the Schools’ Privacy Policy. Please take time to remind yourself of our school’s collection notice, found on our website. For more information about privacy, refer to: Schools’ Privacy Policy-information for parents and also the document included in this newsletter.

School Council Elections

All government schools in Victoria have a School Council. They are legally constituted bodies that are given powers to set the key directions of a school within state-wide guidelines. In doing this, a School Council can directly influence the quality of education that the school provides for its students. Parents on School Councils provide important viewpoints and have valuable skills that can help shape the direction of the school.

Each year, around half of the School Council members step down, creating opportunities for new members to join. Council membership is a two-year commitment, with regular meetings held twice per term.

If you're interested in learning more about becoming a councillor or would like to nominate, feel free to reach out via phone or email at maria.giordano@education.vic.gov.au

You can also connect with our outgoing School Council President, Lee Cath, or any current council members for insights. During the nomination period, starting 7th February, I will be available to answer any questions about joining the School Council.

Our council currently has the following vacancies to be elected for 2025:-

We have four parent vacancies.
We two community member vacancies.

Nominations for School Council will close at 4pm on Friday 14th February.

If we receive more nominations than positions available, an election process will follow in the coming weeks. We will confirm the final membership of the 2025 School Council in the newsletter, and on Compass, when the nomination/election process has been completed.

Refer to the School Council Election Process and timetable below.

Merri-bek Primary School

School council election process and timetable

This document is an outline of our school council election process for 2025.