Merri-bek Mail

Leadership Report

Michelle Carland - Disability and Inclusion Leader

Hi everyone,

 

From 1st March, 2025 our school will begin introducing some changes to help us strengthen support for students with disability.

Disability Inclusion will help our school better understand what our students need to help them learn and participate at school. It involves:

  • a new Disability Inclusion Profile and school funding model to strengthen support for students with disability 
  • more resources, training and coaching for our teachers and school staff about the best ways to support students with disability.  

From 1st March, the Disability Inclusion Profile will be available to help us identify the strengths, needs, and educational adjustments we can make to assist students with disability and additional learning needs.

The Disability Inclusion Profile replaces the Program for Students with Disabilities (PSD) application process.

Over the coming years, we will invite families of students who are currently part of the PSD, and other students with disability and additional learning needs, to participate in a meeting to complete a Disability Inclusion Profile. 

We will use new school funding and supports for more training and professional development for teachers and school staff, expert advice about disability, teachers and other staff to help plan and deliver changes for students, and resources to support learning. 

The new Disability Inclusion approach ensures our school is better able to support students with disability and additional learning needs.

Merri-bek Primary School is excited to be part of Disability Inclusion and we look forward to continuing to support our students to learn and thrive.

If you have any questions about your child’s learning or Disability Inclusion, or need translation or interpreting assistance, please contact me.  

 

Kind regards,

Michelle Carland

Disability Inclusion Leading Teacher

 

Costa Missailidis - Wellbeing and Engagement Leader

Hi everyone,

 

I hope everyone is looking forward to a great 2025! There is lot’s to look forward to this year, from welcoming our new Well-being Dog ‘Lou’ to lunch time clubs and Open Streets.

 

This year we have started a ‘Quiet Club’ to be held each lunchtime to give students a quiet space to unwind, read, colour, be creating and make new friends. Students will be encouraged to spend the second half of lunch out-side, getting fresh air and staying active.

 

I am looking forward to another year of Open Streets in 2025. A big thank you to all our volunteers in 2024, without you this great community event would not have been possible. This year we will continue running Open Streets on the last Friday of each month, the dates for 2025 will be:

  • February 28th
  • March 28th
  • May 30th
  • June 27th
  • August 29th
  • September 29th
  • October 31st
  • November 28th 

National Healthy Lunchbox Week (9-15th February) 

National Lunchbox Week is an initiative of Nutrition Australia that aims to inspire Australian families to create enjoyable and nourishing lunchboxes.

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It may be worthwhile having a conversation with your child as to what they would like to see in their lunchbox. This builds their ability to make wise choices, encourages student voice, enables students to share ideas and learn how to compromise.

Please visit the website https://www.lunchboxweek.org/ to find more information and healthy recipes.

 

Costa Missailidis

Wellbeing and Engagement Leader

 Joe Hess - Maths Learning Specialist 

We are thrilled to share the exciting developments in our Maths program this term. Our dedicated teachers are embracing innovative strategies to bring the concepts to life, making learning both engaging and effective. The curriculum's focus on real-world applications and problem-solving is allowing our students to not only deepen their understanding of key mathematical concepts but also develop critical thinking skills that will benefit them in the years to come across all year levels.

 

The hands-on activities have been a resounding success, with students actively participating in collaborative projects, interactive tasks, and practical challenges. It is truly inspiring to watch our students confidently apply their knowledge to solve complex problems, while developing a true love for maths. We couldn’t be more proud of how well our students are adapting to their learning environment, and we look forward to continuing to nurture their mathematical journey throughout the year.

 

Joe Hess

Maths Learning Specialist

 

Tristan Kelly - Literacy Learning Specialist

 

My name’s Tristan and I am joining Merri-bek Primary School this year as a Literacy Learning Specialist and Year 1/2 Team Leader. It’s been a pleasure to begin getting to know students, families and staff. I feel lucky to be part of such a wonderful community. I’ve previously worked as a Leading Teacher and Learning Specialist in Primary and Secondary Schools, and I’ve worked for the Education Department. I’m particularly excited about this role at MPS where I teach in the classroom (Monday to Wednesday) and also have a focus on literacy across the school (Thursday and Friday). I’m looking forward to meeting more of you in the coming weeks.

 

As Maria mentioned in her Compass post, we have a Curriculum Day on Thursday 20th February which will feature a professional learning session delivered by Narissa Leung, also known as Oz Lit Teacher. Narissa has been employed as a literacy coach this year. She will be working closely with leaders and teachers to help us take the next steps in our literacy teaching practices so that we can best support all our students with the next steps in their reading, writing, speaking and listening.

 

Tristan Kelly

Literacy Learning Specialist