Principal's Report
Dear Parents,
Although we have just recently commenced term four of this year, plans are now well underway for the 2023 school year. An exciting addition to our school programs from next year will be the inclusion of a Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader (MHWL). This initiative of the Department of Education sees MHWLs being incorporated into primary schools over the coming years with Mackellar Primary School commencing their journey in 2023.
MHWLs are teachers rather than allied health practitioners, and work across the school to implement a whole-school approach to positive mental health and wellbeing for students, staff, and families based on a broad knowledge of the needs of the school community. This includes:
- building the capacity of school staff, in particular classroom teachers, to identify and support students with mental health concerns in the classroom
- supporting the school to create clear referral pathways internally (within school) and externally (to community services) for students identified as requiring further assessment and intervention
- coordinating targeted mental health support for students by working with regional staff, school wellbeing and leadership teams, teachers, parents/carers, and external agencies.
School leaders will be supported to implement the Program by a dedicated regional workforce.
MHWL will receive training from the Melbourne Graduate School of Education at the University of Melbourne, supported by Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI), and ongoing professional development through communities of practice.
This is an exciting initiative and a welcome addition to our Wellbeing and Inclusion team led by Joanne Wood our Wellbeing and Inclusion Leading Teacher. Once details surrounding staffing and programs are finalised we will be sure to make this information readily available to all.
On other news, the recent Mt. Evelyn camp held with students from grades 3-6 was a huge success. Everyone involved had such a wonderful time, and considering the weather forecast prior to departure, the actual weather was relatively kind.
A huge thank you to the five parent helpers who took time off from their own work to come along and help out. Likewise an enormous thank you to the Mackellar staff for giving of their personal time to ensure our students had the opportunity to experience such a fun and adventurous time. Without support like this, events such as camps would simply not operate which would be a shame.
Speaking of events, our latest event was the Halloween disco held last Friday organised by the student leaders. This was a real chance for students to dress up in their favourite Halloween costume be it ghosts, ghouls, skeletons or monsters all dancing the night away. A fun night had by all!
Special thanks to Jo Wood and her team of students for organising this, and for the staff who kindly volunteered to stay back and supervise.
Finally a reminder that Friday October 28 and Monday October 31 are pupil free days. Students are not required at school on these days, yet TheirCare will operate. Tuesday November 1st is the Melbourne Cup public holiday, seeing students return on Wednesday November 2nd.
Regards,
Simon McGlade
Principal