Dear MPS Families

I am sure we are all looking forward to the summer holidays, or maybe just looking forward to a summer!

The final week of school has settled many young minds with the ‘Step Up’ program and parent class reps are being called for ready to communicate and connect families once school starts in 2024.

2023

As this is the final newsletter for 2023,

I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of Mrs Sewell, the staff and myself, to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday with your family and friends.

We would like to wish our graduating Year 6 students the very best as they leave primary school and venture toward their continued opportunities at secondary school.

We also wish any students and their families moving to new schools in 2024 all the very best. For many of our families, this is the end of a long association with the school; to them, we wish you well for the future and thank you for your support and involvement at MPS.

STAFF FAREWELL

Every year we welcome new staff members and farewell others. To our fabulous teachers who are leaving us, we’d like to say a huge thank you for the energy and commitment you’ve shown in your teaching and your passion towards ensuring your students are well educated and looked after socially and emotionally.

All the very best as you further your career opportunities.

To the wonderful Mrs Jeanette Baker who has spent over three decades at the school, your expertise, care and friendship will be sorely missed by all of us. We wish you health and happiness as you commence the joys that retirement will no doubt bring.

The school would also like to farewell and wish the following staff well as they pursue other adventures ranging from overseas travel, taking on new roles and enjoying family time. All the best: Kelly Goodwin, MJ Ryan Bennett, Georgie Mountford, Elise French, Jeff Klyne, Therese Kehoe, Anthony van Berkel, Julia Kantor and Kathryn Parker.

SCHOOL CAPTAINS

Throughout the year, our 2023 School Captains (Akshaj, Eve, Aanya and Alfie) have modelled exemplary standards and been an inspiration to our students. It has been wonderful to watch them grow their relationship skills, not just individually but also as a team. We have a tradition here at MPS where the previous year’s captains attend the Year 6 graduation to share with our graduates their perspectives on what to look forward to when they move to secondary school and to offer some words of advice. Thank you to our 2022 captains Krish H and Lily R who had the Year 6’s nodding their heads in agreement and interest as they listened to their speech.

2024 School Captains

After a comprehensive process, our 2024 School Captains have been appointed and were introduced to the school at the graduation assembly.

We would like to congratulate the following students:

School Captains: Harry B and Lily Z

Vice Captains: Luka J and Heer P

I’m sure they will heed the advice offered by the current captains at the assembly and be outstanding in their leadership roles. We look forward to working with you next year.

YEAR 6 GRADUATION

Every year I am in awe of the maturity and confidence of our Year 6 students which is always evident at graduation night. Last Thursday morning’s assembly and the night ceremony were both exceptional. The students were a credit to their teachers and parents as they performed and sang with gusto and spoke eloquently.

Thank you to the parents who organised the food, the disco and the decorating of the hall to create the celebratory atmosphere. The students couldn’t have been happier.

HIGGINS AWARD

For the past twelve years, the Higgins Medal has been awarded to a highly motivated student who consistently displays excellence in attitude, achievement and leadership.

This award is from our federal member for Higgins, Michelle Ananda-Rajah.

This year, the award was presented to Claire K (6C), a worthy winner!

OAKLEIGH ELECTORATE-'COMMUNITY BUILDERS' AWARD

Steve Dimopoulos, state member for Oakleigh, provides a Community Builders Award for a student who has excelled as a community-minded citizen.

Our well-deserved recipient of this award for 2023 is Isabella A (6K).

M.P.S. AWARDS

We have been exceptionally proud of the achievements of all our students. Their maturity and depth of thinking was truly evident during their exhibition. The graduation ceremony is an opportunity to acknowledge students who have made significant contributions and displayed attributes or achievements beyond the norm. We would like to congratulate the following students for their positive attitude and industrious efforts.

2023 Graduation Award Recipients

Mathematics Award	Risha D
English Award	Akshaj S
Sport Award	Jesse S
Performing Arts Award	Alfie K
Ambassador of the Arts	Chamath and Nicholas
Visual Art Award	Alfred B
LOTE Award	Miranda (Mimi)
Resilience Award	Hanif S
Responsibility Award	Ahana B
Relationships Award	Billy G
Respect Award	Skysir A

OAKLEIGH TECHNICAL SCHOOL SOCIETY AWARD

Each year, the Oakleigh Technical Society offer an award in the form of a scholarship to support a worthy Year 6 recipient to take advantage of opportunities when in Year 7. The scholarship this year was presented by John Lundy, Treasurer of the ‘Oakleigh Technical School Society’, and his associates, John and Brian at our special graduation assembly. We congratulate Aanya M on earning this award epitomising our school motto ‘Excellence through Endeavour’.

VICTORIAN SCHOOL SPORTS

As a result of participating in high level competition at the state and national level, School Sport Victoria awarded the prestigious award to our Year 6 student Jesse S. I am sure that we will see Jesse representing Australia in any of a range of sports in the future as he gives his best when in competition or training. Congratulations to Jesse on your achievements.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Mrs Sewell and I would like to thank all of our staff, students and parents for their wonderful contributions during 2023. Best wishes for a lovely Christmas and a happy healthy new year.

School will resume for all students on Tuesday 30 January 2024.

Chellee Plumb

STEM is coming to MPS in 2024