Principal's Report

Here we are in term 3. It’s been pleasing to see students and staff back at school, looking refreshed and happy, engaging with learning and play. 

We have an exciting 10 week term planned, including school camp for our level 3-6 students, a special whole school day for literacy activities during book week and another for a numeracy day.  We will also be hosting information nights for parents/carers to learn more about how we teach literacy and numeracy at MPS, with some activities to extend learning in the home with the family.  This term, we would like to invite parents and carers to the classroom to support learning activities.  This week we’ve had two parent helper / volunteer training sessions.  If you weren’t able to attend one of these and would like to help out, please contact the office to register your interest. We’ll run further training sessions if there is interest.  This term, students will also be preparing for their first Student Led Learning Conference that will occur in week 9.  Further information on all of these events will be published closer to the time.

Staff Update

This week we welcomed Miss Sheena Cronin as the teacher of 5/6B.  Sheena is enjoying being back at MPS and working with students she has previously taught.  The students are very happy to have Miss Cronin back too.  

As announced in the last newsletter, Ms Anies Davidson, teacher of 1/2B will finish up with us at the end of this week and we wish her all the best in her teaching career.  Mrs Lisa Rosthorn and Mrs Lisa Reiner will be the teachers of 1/2B for the remainder of term.   Having taught the students for a period of time last year, Lisa and Lisa are excited to re-connect with the students in 1/2B to continue their learning journey.

This week we welcomed our new chaplain, Bianca Zulianello.  Bianca brings with her years of experience with people of all ages working in various youth and family support case management and care roles.  Bianca will work at MPS on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. She will support students individually and in small groups, focusing on a range of wellbeing topics, from mental health, to self-care and social skill development.  All students who engage in one to one sessions will require a chaplain parent consent form to be signed.  

Working Bee - Sunday 17 July

The Buildings and Grounds sub-committee have planned a working bee for this Sunday, 2-4pm.  We would value any community members who are available to come along,  even to help out for 30 minutes would be appreciative.  A list of outside jobs we are hoping to achieve will be placed on Compass in the coming days.  

Tree Planting Excursion (follow up from term 2)

The Maroondah City Council have produced a video on their local tree planting work.  You might like to check out the video, showcasing some of our students during our tree planting excursion at the end of last term then followed by an interview with Inara and Brandon.

https://youtu.be/jsokj0xKSZ0

MPS School Review

I have been working with our school reviewer and we now have our three review dates set for early term 4.  It will be nice to have this complete for the community to start planning and resourcing for 2023 and beyond.  

This term we continue to work through our pre review activities including student and parent forums to occur next week.  

We would like to seek your feedback and invite you to join us for one of two parent forums, Tuesday 19 July, 2:45-3:30pm (at school) and Wednesday 20 July, 7:00-7:45pm (online) Meeting link: https://eduvic.webex.com/eduvic/j.php?MTID=m29f025c4e4300dcc0ef96b4911ceb58f) 

Lunchtime Clubs

Lunchtime clubs started this week and are already proving to be popular activities with the students.  Our 5/6 students who are facilitating these are doing a great job in organising and leading the activities.  Lunchtime clubs are displayed in each classroom.  You may like to talk to your child at home about attending.  

Lunch Time Clubs - Term 3, 2022 (2:05-2:40pm)

Digimaker

Due to no student enrolments in this program for term 3, Digimaker will not provide a lunchtime program at MPS this term.  

If you would like your child to be involved in this program outside school, please make contact with Digimaker directly.

For further information: https://www.digimaker.com.au/

Child Safety and Wellbeing at MPS: Information for families and the school community

The Victorian Government has announced new Child Safe Standards to further strengthen child safety across organisations, including schools. The new standards recognise the critical importance of families and the broader school community in maintaining and promoting child safety and wellbeing. 

MPS has reviewed and updated our child safety policies and procedures to ensure they meet the requirements of the new standards. These are available to view on our school website, Compass (under School Resources) and at our front office. 

We are committed to continuous improvement in our approach to child safety and wellbeing and welcome feedback from families and members of our school community on ways we can further strengthen our child safety policies, procedures and practices. 

If you have any suggestions, comments or questions, please contact Alec Baroni, marlborough.ps@education.vic.gov.au or ph.  98703468

Christine Pillot

Acting Principal