Principal's Message

Twilight Working Bee

Friday 18th 3.45 -5.30pm Can you spare an hour or two?

Interschool Public Speaking

Congratulations to all of our representatives at the recent Inter School Public Speaking Competition hosted by MPRPS. Katrina Chooi and the School Leaders were very impressive in organising and hosting the event with our professional judges commenting on the high level of skill across all divisions. We welcomed Rangeview, Parkmore, Antonio Park and Mitcham Primary Schools. We received very positive feedback from participating schools and have even inspired some to return to their school and decide on an Inter School event to host. Congratulations to Jarrod L who placed first in the 1/2 division and Chris Y who placed second in the 5/6 division.

Foundation Orientation 

Our final Orientation Session for Foundation was held last Wednesday with students spending the session in their classroom with their 2023 teacher. Parents were presented with how we teach Mathematics by Ros Walker, one of our Learning Specialists and the things that can be done at home to help students practise their skills. At present we are developing the Foundation 2023 parent contact list to support catch ups and connections over the Summer break.

Cake Raffle

Our cake raffle continues to be a highlight of assembly and such a lovely way for families to contribute with a thank you to the family who has donated the cakes and of course with the money raised going towards items determined by students.

Kindergarten Orientation

It was lovely to welcome Emily Sutherland back to teach one of our 4 Year Old Kindergarten class Budja and of course orientation for our Wimbi class too. Our final Kindergarten Orientation session is this week.

Grade Two Sleepover

And we are done! Grade One Late Stay, Year 2 Sleepover, 3/4 Camp and 5/6 Camp all delivered and very successfully. Huge shout out to all of the MPRPS staff that have worked through lots of different challenges from COVID safe procedures to students being introduced to very new experiences, after more than two years of interruptions to even having a sleepover.

Remembrance Day 

Thank you to our School Leaders Sophie, Ryan, Chris and Lachie who led us through our Remembrance Day ceremony. Due to the extreme UV rating we had to move the service into the Hall but all students responded with respect and responsibility. The Senior Choir of course did an excellent job under the guidance of Emily Glen.

Senior Choir and MPRPS' Got Talent Winner Performance 

On Friday 18th November the Senior Choir and MPRPS Got Talent winners will be performing at Forest Hill Chase Community Centre.  If the weather permits the students will be walking down to perform at 11.45am.  Emily Glen has been busy working with the Choir so they will have lots of songs to share with the wider community. As well as the Senior Choir the MPRGT winners will also have another opportunity to share their talents with others.  If you are free to come and watch the performance I'm sure the students would love the support.   

Christmas Concert - Save the date Tuesday 6th December!

5.00pm - BBQ 

Concert starts at 6pm - 7pm

This year's Christmas Concert will be Tuesday 6th December.  (With a back up date of Wednesday 7th December.)This is a fun night for all! The concert takes place on the stairs outside the Cafe Studio.  Families are welcome to bring rugs, chairs and picnics to set up on the oval to watch the performance. Students must attend with their family. The concert starts at 6pm and a BBQ will be available from 5.00pm.  As we have not been able to hold our concert for the last two years we hope that all of our families will be able to join us. We do ask that no photography or video is recorded during the performances to support our Child Safe Standards. A photobooth will be set up in the courtyard where families can take photos of their child/ren. 

Renovated Art Room Stools!

This term our art room stools were repainted by the winners of the art competition. The competition was  led by the Visual Art Captains and the theme for the stools was our School Values : Respect, Responsibility, Life Long Learning, Integrity and Inclusion. Terima Kasih to all participants and to the Visual Art Captains for supporting all participants to paint their designs during Art Club. Thank you to Stephan for securing all of the new stools! They are all looking incredible! Thank you amazing artists! 

Kindergarten and School: Play Based Learning Visit

The National Early Childhood Committee visited with a delegation of twelve representatives from across Australia. Their aim was to observe an exemplary example of Kindergarten programs that are run over two years, that embed play based curriculums, and that are co-located on schools. Al Milsted spoke from the Kindergarten perspective and Brooke Henwood spoke to the way Play Based Learning is incorporated into every curriculum area in the school and also as a stand alone program to support student agency in their learning.

We were very proud to be chosen but also value being able to showcase the good work that is happening at our school and kinder.

Have you got your WWCC?

As endorsed by School Council and published in the newsletter this year we are requiring all volunteers to have a WWCC to volunteer in the school in 2023. We thank all those that have already completed this process and your support is much appreciated as we navigate and implement the new Child Safe Standards. 

The link to apply is here and if anyone needs help or has questions please see Ally in Reception.

How to apply | Working with Children 

Extract from our Volunteers Policy

Considering our legal obligations, and our commitment to ensuring that Mount Pleasant Road Primary School is a child safe environment, we require all volunteers to obtain a WWC Clearance and produce their valid card to the Reception for verification in the following circumstances:

• Volunteers who are not parent/family members of any student at the school if they are engaged in child-related work regardless of whether they are being supervised
• Parent/family volunteers who are assisting with any classroom or school activities involving direct contact with children regardless of whether their own child is participating or not
• Parent/family volunteers who assist with excursions (including swimming), camps and similar events, regardless of whether their own child is participating or not
• Parent/family volunteers who regularly assist in school activities, regardless of whether their own child is participating or not
• Parent/community School Council members sitting on School Council

In addition, depending on the nature of the volunteer work, our school may ask the volunteer to provide other suitability checks at its discretion (for example, references, work history involving children and/or qualifications). Proof of identity may also be required in some circumstances.

Mobile Phones in Schools

We have noticed students bringing a variety of smart watches to school with features including messaging, camera and video etc. As in all schools across Victoria MPRPS introduced the Mobile Phone Policy which at our school includes all messaging devices including smart watches and Ipad messaging. Please refer to the link here  Mobile Phone Policy or as published on our website. 

We understand for security and peace of mind many students do have these devices and most follow the direction of: Mobile phones brought to school must be switched off and stored securely during the school day. This includes switching off the messaging function of the smart watch during the school day. We ask that parents/carers support us with this direction by not messaging or allowing their child to message during the school day. All messages that you need to communicate to your child need to come through Reception. This is to ensure your child’s safety and remove any interruptions to learning.

Hay Fever Warning

This time of year is particularly difficult with hay fever symptoms. Please be mindful that even if you have never had symptoms they may appear with the weather we are having. Watch for symptoms, be prepared, take medication if need be.

What is hay fever?

Hay fever is the common name for allergic rhinitis.

Hay fever is caused by the nose and/or eyes coming into contact with environmental allergens, such as pollens (grasses, weeds or trees), dust mite, moulds and animal dander.

Most people associate hay fever with spring, when airborne grass pollens are at their peak. This is known as seasonal allergic rhinitis or spring hay fever. However, hay fever can occur at any time of the year.

When symptoms occur all year round, this is known as perennial allergic rhinitis. Perennial allergic rhinitis is usually caused by a reaction to allergens such as house dust mites, moulds, animal dander or occupational allergens.

Symptoms of hay fever

Some of the immediate signs and symptoms of hay fever include:

• runny nose
• itchy nose
• sneezing
• itchy, watery eyes.

In some cases, the symptoms of hay fever can be so severe that a person can’t sleep or concentrate, and may feel tired or unwell.