Principal's report

Dear Parents, Carers, Students and Community members of Moonee Ponds West PS,

Great News

I am pleased to announce that after a lengthy process, Ms Barbara Springfield has been provisionally appointed (all Department of Education positions are subject to a 14 day appeal period) as our substantive Assistant Principal.  Barbara has been in the school for the past three years and brings exemplary learning knowledge, and a stability to our school.  Barb has an enthusiasm for MPWPS, and will no doubt be supportive of students staff and parents. Thank-you to Ben Atchison (School Council President) who joined the Selection Panel.    I would like you to join with me in congratulating Barbara on her appointment.   

Writers Festival

Thank you to those parents, grandparents and friends of our students that attended yesterday’s Writers Festival. It was wonderful to see so many of you reading with and being shown the writing process that children are engaged with every day. The festival was an opportunity for us to show by doing!  As I moved around the classes, I witnessed the consistency of practice in the writing process.  Children were able to speak about the process and explain where they were up to, and what was next for them.  I even had a chance to conference a piece of writing as I sat with a student in Room 1. Thank you Jasmine for your knowledge of spelling patterns and your ability to edit so well.  As children progress into the higher levels of their schooling, learning to write in more complex ways than as they speak, is the challenge.  The use of a ‘mentor text’ in the workshop model, helps children see the complexity of our language and supports their use of these structures into their own writing.  This is exactly the automation we are looking for as we develop young confident, and competent writers.

Parent Forums

A reminder to all that we have two Parent Forums remaining for this year. The first Parent Forum will be held on Student Engagement and Wellbeing which will be held on Friday 1st of November  and our final forum will be on Years 6-7 Transition on Friday 29th November, this session will have guest speakers from one of our local high schools.

You may indicate your attendance to either sessions at eventbrite using the links below.

eventbrite.com.au/e/75967638251

eventbrite.com.au/e/75968035439

Parent Payments

Each year our school collects contributions from parents.  Parent payments support the cash allocation from our School Resource Package.  Each year we rely on the contributions to provide the richness of opportunities for your child.  I write to remind parents that we are nearing the end of the year and your parent payment is important to us. All user pays items such as MVIMP, Camps or Choir need to be paid for before the 30th of November.

This year we have used your voluntary contribution to the Building Fund for the upgrade of the toilets in the Hall Building; the Library Fund for the purchase of more literature sets and levelled text for students, especially in the Junior School as they start their learning journey in reading. Contributions to these two areas have been decreasing over the past two years. I am not sure why this is but reassure that any contribution into these funds are tax deductible and used for specific purposes.

Towards the end of this term you will receive the Parent Payment package for 2020.  As is the Department of Education’s guide, we are to communicate the contribution package before the end of the year for your planning purposes.

Sponsorship Survey

How did you go with our specific survey around getting or being involved in sponsorship from large organisations?  In the school’s that I have led that have been involved in the ‘earn and learn’ campaign and were able to gain valuable classroom resources.  If you haven’t had a chance to provide your feedback please go to COMPASS in the INSIGHT section and complete the two questions.  Your voice will be noted.  Someone said once:  ‘You have a right to have your say, but you may not get your way!’

Enrolments for 2020

At present we are bound by the local neighbourhood boundary for our enrolments. Even at this late stage, I am still receiving enrolments from families in the boundary.  If you are planning to enrol in 2020 please come and do so a.s.a.p. so we can ensure a successful transition.  This THURSDAY at 7.00 pm we are welcoming our new Foundation parents at our Transition Information Evening. Our Junior School team will be facilitating the evening outlining what to expect and how the transition sessions will operate.

Well that’s about it for this week.  Enjoy the warmth that is planned for later in the week.  I think we deserve it!

Sincerely and in good faith

Kerri Simpson

Principal (Acting at Moonee Ponds West PS)

CURRICULUM DAY

MONDAY NOVEMBER 4TH

NO STUDENTS ON THIS DAY!

Camp Australia will offer care if numbers require. Please contact Camp Australia if you require this service.