Principal's Message
Term 4 - Week 8
Reconciliation Day
On Monday of Week 8, Wurundjeri and Dja Dja wurrung Elder Stacie visited MPRPS to conduct a Welcome to Country, acknowledging the launch of our Reconciliation Action Plan. Stacie, whose Spirit Protector is Dandan the rainbow lorikeet, delivered the Welcome in Language, and facilitated a Smoking Ceremony as a part of our launch. Stacie explained the spiritual and cultural benefits of the Smoking Ceremony, which has ancient ceremonial links to her Ancestors, and can only be done by a Wurundjeri person on Wurundjeri Country.
Our Marrung lead, Ms Brooke Henwood, revealed our vision for reconciliation as a part of our Reconciliation Action Plan.
Our Vision for Reconciliation:
Together at Mount Pleasant Road Primary School, we recognise that education is at the core of developing culturally aware young people. We strive to provide regular, authentic opportunities for students and the wider community to be involved in continuous learning. It is critical for this learning to be alongside local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.
Our vision for reconciliation at MPRPS is to go beyond honouring and respecting shared land, and to commit to nurturing lifelong partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. MPRPS is an inclusive space, where the identity of all peoples is unquestioned.
We will take actions to stand against racism or discrimination. We will continue to cultivate a safe, innovative and engaging environment built on the foundations of inclusion, honesty, respect and integrity. The diverse cultures that make our community unique are proudly acknowledged and celebrated.
World Of Maths
We had our annual World of Maths incursion this week. Students had the opportunity to explore a variety of hands-on maths problems that highlighted the maths that we use in our everyday lives. Working collaboratively, it was fantastic to see all students having a go, displaying a growth mindset and getting excited to share their learning with their peers and teachers. A very big thank you to the parent helpers who assisted over the three days, it was greatly appreciated by staff and students.
Staffing Update for 2025
In 2025, we will have some staff returning to MPRPS, some taking leave, and some moving on. We wish to extend a huge, heartfelt thanks to our staff team for all of their hard work in 2024, and for their contributions to our school community. Hamish Burrill is taking leave in 2025, and we wish him the best for his time away! Brooke Henwood is seeking teaching opportunities closer to home and Megan Jordanov is pursuing studies to move into Early Childhood Education. Marissa Mundy and Liam England have secured exciting new positions at new schools, and we wish them all the best in their careers. We say goodbye to Nat Palmer, (Performing Arts) and Kerryn Jory (ES) and thank them for their contributions to our community. Beth Cardwell (Science) and Bethany Szentesi (ES) are moving into casual relief teaching, and we hope to see them at MPRPS again in 2025!
We welcome back Ella Gasowski and Cassie Brisbane to our school and Jess Hirvonen is planning her return later in Term One, 2025. We are looking forward to having them back!
We also welcome Leading Teacher Jonny Hobbs to the school and Leadership Team. Jonny is currently a Leading Teacher at a school in Melbourne’s north, and he comes to us with a wealth of teaching experience in Australia and the UK. We are also excited to welcome Julia Robertson to our teaching staff and the 3/4 team. Julia is an ES at our school who has recently finished her initial teacher training. Please see below for further information about staffing in 2025:
2025 Staff:
Foundation
Emma Honan, Tegan Kitteringham, and Ashley Akers.
Year 1/2
Em Glen, Melinda Emmett, Shaye Arnel, Katrina Chooi, Suzie Moroney & Mel Seadon. Supported by Brooke Tolson, Luda Melnychuk & Tilly Hardy.
Year 3/4
Ros Walker, Kathy Wang, Julia Robertson, Amanda Martin, Fatima Sewani. Supported by Nat Scheetz & Taya Strahan.
Year 5/6
Nick Dix, Steph DeCerff, Ciara Corless, Ella Gasowski, Emma McCoy & Erin Dawson. Supported by Jack Bell, Prabha Mabian, Chris Giles & Sue Giliberto.
Specialists & Intervention
Yana Gill, Sam Kirby, Stephanie Muratovic, Kate Molloy, Tania Hosken and Sarah Cullen.
End-of-Year Concert
We are excited to see you all for our end-of-year concert on Wednesday night. Come along for a BBQ before the show kicks off!
Wednesday 4th December
BBQ from 4:30pm - 6:00pm
3/4 Connections Market 5:00pm-5:30pm
Kinder performs 5:30pm
School Performs 6:00pm
Performances conclude at 7:30pm
3/4 Community Connections Market
This term, 3/4 students have been exploring the importance of connecting with our 'Nunawading Neighbours' to make sure everyone feels they belong in our community. We are excited to host a Connections Market during the Christmas Concert. Join us on the 3/4 deck from 5pm. We won't ask for any money, but we would encourage you to consider donating board games in excellent condition, canned foods, used towels and newspapers. These donations will support a range of local organisations doing amazing things in our community, to support people and animals in need.
Annual Volunteer Breakfast
Every year we take the opportunity to formally thank all of the people who have made possible that amazing work we do at MPRPS&K. Please come to our Thank you Breakfast @8.00am in the Hall on the 6th December
Please RSVP for catering purposes via the link