WHAM!

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

Milgate Primary School would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land of the Wurundjeri People and we would like to pay our respects to the elders, both past and present. Staff, students and the school community understand that we thrive, learn and live on Wurundjeri Country and we stand with all cultures united as one.

CAKE STALL DONATIONS FOR UPCOMING ART EXHIBITION 

For our upcoming art exhibition, we will be hosting a sausage sizzle and cake stall. All students today will be coming home with a plate, and we would love to receive some amazing baked goods from our community to sell at the event.

While each student will receive a plate, there is absolutely no pressure to provide multiple items—any donation, big or small, is greatly appreciated! Thank you for your support in making this event a success.

CLASS CONSIDERATIONS / STUDENT PLACEMENTS FOR 2025

Closing Date | Friday 25 October

The process of placing students into classes for the upcoming year is both complex and thoughtful. Teachers and school leadership invest considerable time and sensitivity in making these decisions. When forming individual classes, several key factors are considered, including academic ability, social competencies, gender balance, students who do and do not work well together, and friendship groupings crucial to each child’s social and emotional development. While students' current friendships are taken into account, they are only one of many criteria, as fostering new relationships is an important part of the educational journey and a valuable skill for students to develop. This decision-making process involves careful reflection and review over an extended period.

As part of this process, parents are invited to provide input. If your child has any learning or social needs that should be considered for their class placement in 2024, please email David Mander at david.mander@education.vic.gov.au to request the appropriate form.

Please note:

• Requests from previous years are not retained, as students' needs and friendships evolve over time. If a previous request remains relevant, parents must resubmit it by requesting the form.
• Multiple friendship requests or any requests that may affect another student’s class placement cannot be accommodated.
• Parents are not able to request specific teachers.
• If your child is a twin or has cousins at the school and you would like to request that they remain in the same class or be in different classes, you need to fill in this form. 

The closing date for submitting considerations is Friday, October 25th. Requests received after this date will not be considered.

STAFF CAR PARK GUIDELINES

Please note that from 8:00 am onwards, the staff car park is reserved exclusively for staff use. If you are dropping off your child at Before School Care after 8:00 am, we kindly ask that you park on the street and walk your child in.

For everyone's safety, we also remind parents and students to use the footpaths and avoid walking through the car park.

Thank you for your cooperation and helping us keep our school a safe place.

UPDATES TO THE SCHOOL GROUNDS

Over the school holidays, we had quite a lot of work completed to improve our school grounds. This included:

• New synthetic grass in the Foundation Courtyard
• Vinyl flooring in the Canteen and 2025 STEM room (Currently 4KK)
• New timber fencing on the OLOP fence line after a tree fell on the fence
• Update to the garden next to the STEM room to include mudstone and tanbark
• Fencing in the Sensory Garden which will help establish the plants and improve the space. We also had some families up working in the school holidays to improve the space, which looks amazing!

These works have significantly improved our grounds, and we would like to thank our parent volunteers from Garden Club, School Council and P&F for their support in making these updates possible. 

SCHOOL SAVING BONUS

Dear parents and carers,

As shared with you previously, parents and carers of every child enrolled in a Victorian government school in 2025 will receive the one-off School Saving Bonus $400 support.

In the coming months, the Department of Education will send you 2 email communications for each of your children enrolled in Victorian government schools.

By Friday 18 October 2024, please ensure that your child’s 2025 enrolment is completed and that your contact information is up to date.

The 2 emails from the Department of Education will:

1. Confirm your email address between mid-October and late-November.

2. Provide you with your unique $400 School Saving Bonus code by the end of November.

If you do not receive a confirmation email from the department by late-November, please check your spam or junk folders and contact the school if needed.

You can read more about the School Saving Bonus on the Department of Education website, with key information now available in 14 different languages.

YEAR 1 ZOO EXCURSION

This week, Year 1 students visited Melbourne Zoo to investigate habitats and the impacts that humans can have on these environments. They had fun developing their research skills as they listened to zookeepers share information about their animals and made observations about a range of animals and their habitats. They used their directional language skills as they walked their way through the zoo using a map and were blessed with beautiful sunshine for the day! What a fabulous day!

GARDEN CLUB

This year, we have begun a Garden Club that meets weekly with a dedicated group of students, parents and teacher volunteers. So far we have rejuvenated the garden beds behind Manuka, weeded in various garden beds around the school and made great progress in the sensory garden. Students are welcome to join in during the first half of lunch on Fridays, unless it is raining. A very big thank you to the Parents and Friends Committee who successfully applied for a Woolworths Landcare Grant to begin bringing the sensory garden back to life and to Jill Danne for helping and organising the roster and Michael Gamble for the inspiring landscaping work.

WELLBEING - OUTDOOR PLAY

Now that Spring has sprung and the sun is out, it is the perfect time to get outside. In today’s world of screen time, after-school activities, and busy schedules, it's easy to forget the joy of playing outside for both adults and children. However, outdoor play is more than just fun—it is a vital part of healthy development. Whether it’s running around in a park, exploring nature, or playing games with friends, time spent outdoors offers children a wide range of benefits that nurture their bodies as well as their wellbeing.

Boosting Physical Health

One of the most obvious advantages of outdoor play is the physical exercise it encourages. Climbing, running, jumping, and engaging in team sports all contribute to better fitness. Regular physical activity strengthens muscles and bones and improves coordination, balance, and fine and gross motor skills.

Wellbeing 

Playing outdoors is a natural stress reliever for children. Time spent in nature has been shown to reduce anxiety and lower stress levels. Green spaces and open areas can have a calming effect. Studies have found that children who spend more time outdoors tend to have better concentration and perform better academically.

Outdoor environments encourage creativity and imagination. Children can let their imaginations run wild—building forts, inventing games, or exploring the natural world. This free play and exploration is vital for their cognitive and emotional development.

Building Social and Emotional Skills

Outdoor play isn't just good for the body and brain; it’s also great for building social skills. Whether playing a game of tag, participating in team sports, or simply exploring a playground together, children learn valuable lessons in teamwork, communication, and cooperation. These interactions help them develop problem-solving skills, resolve conflicts, and understand the importance of sharing and taking turns.

In addition, outdoor play fosters independence and self-confidence. When children are given the freedom to explore on their own, they learn to assess risks, make decisions, and trust in their own abilities. These experiences are crucial for developing resilience and a healthy sense of self-esteem.

Promoting Better Sleep

Children who play outdoors are more likely to get a good night’s sleep. Exposure to natural light helps regulate their internal body clock, while the physical exertion of outdoor activities tires them out, making it easier to fall asleep and enjoy deep, restful sleep. Better sleep, in turn, leads to improved mood, attention, and overall well-being.

With all the benefits of playing outside, it's clear that encouraging children to spend time outdoors is one of the best things we can do for their health and happiness. Whether it's a trip to the park, a nature walk, or just an afternoon in the backyard, making time for outdoor play should be included in every child's daily routine.

Second Hand Uniform Sale

Monday 14th October at 9am-10am. There is a lot of summer items availab