Principal's Update

Do It For Dolly Day

I was so proud and excited today when I saw so many students dressed in blue. Dolly’s dream is all about spreading the message of kindness and in wearing blue, we keep that dream alive. I would like to acknowledge the wonderful work that VOS has been doing around these special events – our school leaders do a fabulous job. The growth already in their leadership skills is phenomenal, organising, preparing and running school events and assemblies. I have been impressed also with the number of students who have put their hands up to speak at assemblies – incredible.

On a less exciting note – the cold and flu season is upon us. Wherever possible, it is great if we can stay home and keep our germs to ourselves. Unfortunately, like many industries, we are suffering from a lack of teaching staff, illness means we struggle to fill classes and the program for students becomes disrupted. For everyone in our community, please also be kind to our staff, many of us take on extra duties and classes during the cold and flu season to ensure the school runs, this means we get extra tired and can’t always get to things as quickly as when everyone is well. Staff often go above and beyond what they are technically expected to do to help their colleagues and students.

We like to celebrate! If you know of any student (or ex-student/s) who have accomplished something worth celebrating, please let us know via our Facebook page so we can share it with the community. There are so many great things that people do every day both inside and outside of school.

*More for Do It for Dolly Day in School News

School Wide Positive Behaviours

The school is continuing its journey in developing a matrix of expected behaviours at MNSC and we are just beginning to involve students in this discussion. Meanwhile, we continue to have a focus on speaking respectfully to everyone within the school community. Swearing between students, and to teachers has been a focus since the start of the year. As MNSC is a workplace, swearing at a teacher will generally always result in a suspension. No one comes to school to be sworn at. Swearing at employees in any workplace is considered unacceptable, and many workplaces now advertise that you will be asked to leave if you use abusive language. In schools, we teach commonly accepted societal values and how best to operate in the ‘real’ world. In other words, we are preparing students for the future.

Recovery in Mirboo North

I know, like myself, many families will have been working very hard cleaning up their properties. Three months on, and no doubt, tiredness will be setting in. Many of our families may now be faced with finding new accommodation whilst their homes are repaired. If you are in this situation, and/or are worried about how your children are going post the storm, please reach out to our Wellbeing Team so we can help support your children during this time. Recovery is a marathon, not a sprint. 

At the end of this term, we will again have a student celebration on the last day. This will involve special activities overseen by VOS. This is a great way to end the term and something to look forward.

Vaya Dauphin