Principal's Report
Dear families and friends of MPW
Welcome back to Term 4, I hope you had an enjoyable school holiday period with your families. I trust students are refreshed ready for learning in the final term of the year. Term 4 can become a busy term quickly, and we are aiming to have some exciting events coming up this term for all year levels.
The 3/4 swimming lessons were held last week and this week it is the 5/6's having their swimming lessons. The goal of the swimming lessons is to ensure students leave MPW with basic swimming skills including swimming 50m continuously and have awareness of water safety.
Teams are planning a range of exciting incursions and excursions to support learning this term.
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.
A reminder that Monday 4th November is our final Curriculum Day for the year. This is the day before the Melbourne Cup public holiday. On this day teachers will begin working on their Assessment and Reporting requirements for Semester 2.
Our JSC have been organising this term’s Colour Fun Run. This will be held on Friday 6th December, again offsite like in 2022. JSC members will be communicating more about the Fun Run this week, so stay tuned.
And finally, our Year 6 Graduation has been set for Tuesday 17th December. Our graduation is a student led night, where students perform to their peers and families in creative ways about their time at MPW. More information will be sent home in the coming weeks to our year 6 families.
MPW Camping Program
On Friday, we had a very successful Year 2 Sleepover. It was great to be able to sleep in the updated Hall building. Students arrived back at school for a pizza dinner, entertainment from Tim Credible the Magician, a quick game outside on the Tiger Turf and then settled back in for a movie and bed. Everyone had a great time. Thank you to the year 2 teachers, administration staff and Elisha for ensuring this was a great night for all.
We conclude our camping program with the F/1 activity night which will be held on Thursday 14th November.
I would like to acknowledge the work and time of all our teachers who have participated in our camps this year. I extend thanks to those parents who have also helped as parent helpers on our 3-6 camps this year also.
2025 Transition Programs
The 2025 Foundation transition program begins this week on Friday 18th October and next Friday 25th October. Our future foundation students will begin to familiarise themselves with the school, engaging in some activities in a classroom over the two weeks. Parents are invited to information sessions to learn more about the school, curriculum and processes.
The third session for our new Foundation students is then the whole school Transition Day later this term, on Tuesday 10th December. The whole school transition program supports all of our students to feel confident and excited about their new class and teacher for 2025. This day coincides with our year 6 students orientation day to Secondary school.
Mobile Phones Reminder
Students who choose to bring mobile phones to school must have them switched off and securely stored during school hours, including recess and lunchtime, unless an exception has been granted by the Principal. At Moonee Ponds West Primary School, students are required to store their phones at the General Office upon arrival, where the device will be labelled and stored securely.
When emergencies occur, parents or carers should reach their child by calling the school’s office.
Students are encouraged not to bring a mobile phone to school unless there is a compelling reason to do so.
Similarly, our Mobile Phone policy also includes Smart Watches, students wearing a watch should have communication and connectivity features turned off during school hours.
Our full policy regarding Mobile Phones can be found on the school website:
Capital Works Update
There wasn’t a lot of news on the building front at the end of the last term to communicate to families. However, since the school holidays, the builders have continued to work hard towards the final stages of the project. We anticipate that within the next 3-4 weeks that the works will be completed.
I am pleased that the project has been able to hold to its 12-month timeline, ensuring that the two heritage buildings and both playground spaces will be in full operation to start the 2025 school year.
The new Little Adventure courtyard is progressing quickly, with the new playground being installed last week and the resurfacing of the asphalt areas commenced on Friday. The spaces continue to be a welcome sight, and we hope to be able to open the new space in November for our students to access for the last part of the term. We will also be working to re-establish the learning spaces in the Library Building over the term, including emptying the shipping containers, the incorporation of new furniture and learning resources. All going well, we are aiming to ensure all the spaces are ready by the end of the year to allow for their use again next year.
We will work with the Victorian Schools Building Authority (VSBA) to have an official opening of the spaces and to acknowledge the completion of the Capital Works project as a whole.
Regards,
Jarrod
Principal