From Marie

Welcome everyone to the new school year.  We are delighted to have everyone back and all our new Foundations students are settling in well.  We also want to welcome new families into our community:  Parker (5/6Y), Leo (5/6C), Marshall (3/4S), Rozana (3/4E), Mary (3/4E), Christian (3/4E) and Ella (3/4S). Thank you for choosing Mullum Primary School and we look forward to getting to know you all.  I must apologise for my absence over the last week, after being stricken with gastro, I have followed doctor advice and stayed home to avoid passing it on to anyone.  I have returned today and cannot wait to catch up with you all either at the gate, in the playground or office area.

First few days

As families enjoyed the last few days of the school holidays, all staff returned and jumped straight into preparing for students returning.  A very comprehensive session on setting up the learning environment was undertaken, as we worked with research evidence on topics like: setting up tables, seating plans, setting up routines, work book expectations, securing attention, scanning the room.  Check out the photos of staff in action:

Daily timetable

Below is the daily timetable for all students.  

Attendance

Full attendance at school is expected for all students.  Should your child be unwell, we ask that they remain at home and you use Compass to notify the school of their absence. Where possible families are encouraged to plan holidays and medical appointments in times outside of the school day.  

Compass

Compass is the main way the school will communicate with families, including the following items:

• Newsfeed - for reminders and event preparation

• School Attendance - notifying the school of any absences 

• Newsletters - fortnightly

• School reports - June and December each year

• Excursion and camp consent and payments

• Requests for payments for activities

• Invitations to participate in activities

• Updating contact information

Somers Camp

On Tuesday morning this week, nineteen of our Grade 5/6 students headed off to the Department of Education, nine-day, Somers Camp.   Opportunities to go to Somers Camp only come around once in your child's primary school life, when they are in Grade 5 or Grade 6.  It is an amazing camp offering a huge range of outdoor activities like surfing, boating, rock climbing, obstacle courses, environmental sciences, hikes, singalongs and a daily assembly where everyone gets to sing along.  We look forward to hearing all about it when they return next week.

Fortnightly newsletters

Our fortnightly newsletter is usually sent out on Thursday afternoons and contains important information about school activities and calendar events.  In the calendar, new items are highlighted by writing (NEW) so you can easily scan for new additions.  It also contains a wealth of information about community activities including information from Maroondah City Council, local sporting groups, services and activities.  Please take time to read through each of the pages of the newsletter to ensure you are up-to-date with everything that is happening.

Parents' Association

The Parents' Association held it very first Annual General Meeting in November 2024 and elected their executive and excitedly commenced planning for 2025.  Already they jumped in and provided a sumptuous morning tea for our Foundation families and are keen for their first meeting on Tuesday 11 February, next week at 7:00pm.  Everyone is welcome to attend this meeting and learn about the work of the PA for 2025.  Your support and involvement in the school is very much appreciated.  Check out the designated page in this newsletter for more details.  We hope to see you there. 

Twilight Sports - Tuesday 18 February

Bring along your picnic and family for our annual Twilight Sports night, games and races for everyone.  This is a great opportunity to meet your child's teacher, meet new families across the school and connect with old friends.  We look forward to seeing you all there.

School Photos

On Tuesday 4 March our school photos will be taken.  Orders are made directly with the photographer, Leading Image.  Use the QR code or go direct to the website to order.  You will need the Access Key listed in the flyer.

Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden & egg shells

Starting last week on Friday, all Grade 3/4 students will be involved in Kitchen Garden activities each week.  This could involve looking after the chickens and worm farms, planting, harvesting, cooking and eating.  There are always many opportunities for parents or grandparents to be involved in this program.  If you are interested in volunteering, then please email rebekah.mitchell@ education.vic.gov.au.  Bek is asking families to donate their egg shells to the program, these can be dropped off in the green barrel outside the Kitchen on a Friday.  

Student Accident Insurance

Each year our first newsletter is the right time to remind families about student acccident insurance.  Accidents at school do happen, most do not require more than first aid treatment in our well equipped First Aid Room, however, on occasions ambulances are called and more serious accidents can happen.  The Department of Education does not cover student accident insurance or ambulance cover, below is a snippet of the Department policy:

The Department does not provide personal accident insurance or ambulance cover for students. Parents/carers of students, who do not have student accident insurance/ambulance cover, are responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment for injured students, including the cost of ambulance attendance or transport as well as any other transport costs. In some circumstances, medical or other expenses will be paid by the Department where it is assessed that it is likely that the Department is liable for negligent acts or omissions of its staff or volunteers. 

Parking and Road Safety

As with most schools, parking is a challenge.  There are four, "Kiss and Drop" parking spaces on Panfield Ave, where parents, in the mornings, can park, get out of the car, walk around to help their child with their bag, then the child must head to the school gate on their own.  Parking officers from Maroondah City Council often patrol at pick up and drop off times and, if you are not following road rules, they will photograph your car, and then send you a hefty bill!  Below is a summary of local street signs:

Student safety is paramount at the beginning and end of each school day, ensuring everyone gets home safely, here are a few tips:

• walk to school if you can, or park a few streets away and then walk

• avoid doing a 3-point turn into driveways on Panfield Ave as students and families are arriving or leaving school, this creates congestion and is potentially dangerous. Better to drive on and go around the block.

• use the provided pedestrian crossings, even if means that you have to walk a little further (NB Mullum Mullum Road)

• respectfully treat our teachers and crossing supervisors as they support your child to get home safely

• Teach your child how to cross the road safely

• Wait for your child on the school side of the road

• Model and promote safe use of a mobile phones when in and around traffic

Parenting Solo

Unfortunately, the five session "Parenting Solo" program offered by Anglicare has had to be cancelled due to lack of enrolments.  We will look at running a single information session, maybe next term.  

Children's University

We are excited to let our Grade 3-6 families know that we will again be working with Swinburne University to run Children's University again in 2025.  The program is supported by Emma McCann (Grade 2) and is open to any Grade 3-6 student who is keen to participate in child-led learning outside of the classroom.  At our assembly on 21 February, we will launch this initiative for the year and encourage any student (and their family) who are interested in participating to register.  Here are a few photos of some of the 2024 graduating students:

Maroondah City Council Family Events Coming Up

• Superhero Sunday - ‘Celebrate Maroondah’ event Superhero Sunday, Athelstane Reserve Ringwood North, Sunday 9 February at 12 midday. Get ready to unleash your inner superhero at our first Celebrate Maroondah event for 2025! There will be a free sausage sizzle along with ice-cream and coffee available to purchase. Bring a picnic and enjoy some craft while being entertained by our roving superhero performers. This event is free to attend. Superhero Sunday | Maroondah City Council

• Outdoor Cinema - ‘Celebrate Maroondah’ event movie night ‘Inside Out 2’, Charles Allen Reserve, Saturday 22 February 6.30pm-9.30pm.  Before the movie starts, there will be a range of kids’ activities and roving entertainment to keep everyone entertained. If you're in the mood for a treat, onsite vendors will be offering ice cream and coffee for purchase. Feel free to bring a picnic hamper and enjoy a meal while watching the movie! This event is free to attend. Inside Out 2 - Movie night at Charles Allen Reserve | Maroondah City Council

   

• Kindergarten Information Night - Kindergarten Information Night Wednesday 19 March 6.30pm - 8pm, Karralyka. https://www.maroondah.vic.gov.au/Community-support-business/Children-and-families/Kindergarten

   

• Anxious Children - “Supporting anxious children” sessions are being held aimed at different age cohorts including 0-6, Primary and Secondary. Learning to cope with anxiety, stress and fear, whilst a normal part of your child’s development, can be deeply challenging not only for children but also for parents and the family unit as a whole. Participants will develop strategies to support children through understanding the role of anxiety and normal childhood development, identify the signs and symptoms in your child, relaxation and mindfulness techniques and where to go for more help and support. The first session on 17 February is for 0-6 years of age, the second session on 20 February is for Primary age cohort and the third session 5 March for Secondary age cohort. All sessions are being held online and begin at 7.30pm. For more information and to book head to https://www.maroondah.vic.gov.au/Community-support-business/Children-and-families/Parenting-information-sessions/Supporting-anxious-children This is a partnership between the City of Boroondara, Knox City Council, Maroondah City Council, Whitehorse City Council and Yarra Ranges Councils