Principal's Report

I hope you enjoyed the beautiful sunshine over the ‘long’ weekend. Time is flying in Term 4 – a little less than 6 weeks remaining. I've started noticing the Christmas decorations going up in the neighbourhoods around us. It feels a bit surreal that the end of the year is coming fast! 

This week's report is a less heavy than last fortnight's one. No need to go and put the kettle on for a long read. However, if you haven't read the last one, I suggest you do so. There was a lot of important information in there. 

Exciting Changes to the Grade 2 Sleepover – Introducing the F-2 Fun Day and Grade 2 Late Night!

This year, we've made some exciting adjustments to our traditional Grade 2 Sleepover. To ensure an inclusive and enriching experience for all our junior students, we have introduced the F-2 Fun Day, followed by a special Grade 2 Late Night at School.

The F-2 Fun Day will bring our Foundation to Grade 2 students together for a day full of tabloid sports, enjoyable activities, and team-building experiences designed to promote personal and social capabilities, cooperation, fun, and school spirit. This new format provides a broader opportunity for all our young learners to take part in memorable activities that create connections and fond memories.

After the main event, the Grade 2 students will continue their adventure by staying on for a Grade 2 Late Night at School. This special extension of their day will include afternoon tea, additional games, a yummy dinner, and a movie to end the night on a high note. This unique experience allows our Grade 2s to have an event that is still distinctively their own.

The decision to modify the original sleepover format was made with careful consideration. Factors such as the cost, the impact of Time in Lieu, and the needs of our students played a role in reshaping the event. Additionally, this new approach provides a more expansive and enjoyable experience for all junior students, while maintaining that special element specifically for the Grade 2s.

We look forward to a wonderful day filled with fun, teamwork, and lasting memories!

5/6 Camp

Our Grade 5/6 students recently embarked on an unforgettable adventure at Waratah Bay Adventure Camp! Throughout the camp, the students showcased exceptional behaviour and embodied our school values. They were incredibly supportive of one another. Whether they were tackling ropes courses, rock climbing or participating in team challenges, the students demonstrated determination and gave their Personal Best to overcome each challenge.

A highlight of the camp was the opportunity to trial surfing, where many students embraced the waves with enthusiasm. It was wonderful to see their excitement as they learned new skills and cheered each other on. The camp was a testament to the inclusive and positive spirit of our Grade 5/6 cohort.

Well done to everyone who participated and made this experience so memorable! 

2025 Foundation Transition Days

We are excited to begin welcoming our newest Marlborough community members as the 2025 Foundation Students Transition Days kick off this Friday, 15th November. These special days are an important part of easing our new Foundation students into school life and helping them feel comfortable and confident in their new surroundings.

We look forward to seeing lots of smiles, enthusiasm, and curiosity as they start this new chapter of schooling. Welcome to Marlborough – we are so glad to have you join our community!

Planning for Next Year 

We are well into planning our school and classes for next year and need to have a clear idea of exactly who will be here. This information is very important for us as we form classes so we can ensure that our classes are balanced in all aspects including friendships. One child moving away can leave another child without a friend in the new class. If you know that your child will be moving away next year, please send us an email to marlborough.ps@education.vic.gov.au or come and visit the office to let us know where your child will be attending school next year.

Grade 6 Student Leadership 

We wanted to share some insights regarding the changes to our student leadership positions at Marlborough School. This year, we have made the decision to reduce the number of formal leadership roles available. This adjustment comes with a clear purpose: to enhance the significance and effectiveness of each leadership position by providing more defined and meaningful responsibilities.

Our aim is to ensure that our student leaders are not only recognised for their roles but are also equipped to contribute more substantially to our school community. Each leadership position now carries a set of well-defined duties and additional responsibilities, fostering opportunities for deeper involvement and experiences. 

We believe that these changes will lead to more robust student engagement and ensure that our leaders feel prepared and supported as they take on their new roles. 

For those students who may not secure a formal leadership role, please rest assured that we are committed to providing other meaningful opportunities for leadership and involvement throughout the school year. These experiences will allow all students to contribute, develop their leadership potential, and feel valued as essential members of our school community.

I look forward to seeing the applications from our current grade 5 students come in over the next two weeks. 

Class Placements for 2025

As we begin planning for the 2025 school year, we understand that class placements can be an important consideration for some families. At Marlborough, we strive to create balanced classes that support positive learning experiences and foster strong social connections. 

While we cannot accommodate all requests, we do our best to ensure each student has at least one of their requested friends in their class.

If you feel that specific circumstances could impact your child’s wellbeing or learning, we welcome parent input under the following guidelines:

Acceptable Requests:

• Considerations related to negative impacts on your child's learning needs. 
• Social or emotional factors that may influence your child’s experience at school.
• Any other exceptional circumstances that could be detrimental to your child's wellbeing.

Please note: Requests should only be made if they are essential for your child’s welfare. General preferences or requests for specific teachers will not be considered, as we must maintain fairness and consistency for all students. Our priority is to create an environment where each class is diverse, balanced, and conducive to optimal learning.

To submit a request, please email marlborough.ps@education.vic.gov.au or provide written documentation to the school by the 27th of November. We appreciate your understanding and trust as we work to make thoughtful, informed decisions that benefit all our students.

Thank you for your cooperation in supporting this process.

Warmly,

Tim Mulhall

Principal