Principal Message

Grade 3–6 Athletics Carnival

The reports coming back from the Grade 3–6 Athletics Carnival have been nothing short of spectacular! By all accounts, the energy on the field was electric, with students pushing their limits, cheering for their houses, and demonstrating fantastic sportsmanship throughout the day. Whether they were sprinting toward the finish line or clearing the high jump, every participant represented Mitcham Primary with pride.

A massive thank you goes to Miss Laura Ellis for her tireless organisation and dedication. Planning an event of this scale is a significant undertaking, and her efforts ensured the day was a fabulous success for everyone involved. We also want to extend our gratitude to all the teachers for their support and for providing the constant encouragement our students needed to do their best.

A huge thank you to our parent and friends who volunteered also. When Miss Ellis sent out the call for help, the response was wonderful. From measuring long jumps to marshalling events, your contribution was vital. It is important to recognise that large-scale events like this simply would not be able to go ahead without your support. Thank you for giving your time to make these opportunities possible for our students.

Keeping Mitcham Beautiful: Clean Up Australia Day

We also want to acknowledge the fantastic efforts of Ms. Mandy Boulton for organising our school’s participation in 'Clean Up Australia Day' this past Sunday. It was inspiring to see community gathered at the Yarran Dheran Nature Reserve to help preserve our local environment. Thanks to Ms. Boulton’s initiative, Mitcham Primary continues to lead by example in sustainability and community pride.

Thank you to those who donned their gloves and bags to help keep our local nature reserve pristine!

Double the Joy: New Arrivals!

In some truly fabulous news, we are thrilled to announce the safe arrival of Hazel Ruby and Jeanie Jane, twin baby girls for Mrs. Kate Heuston and her husband, Tim. We send our warmest congratulations to the whole family, especially to Louie, who has officially stepped into his new role as a very proud big brother. They are now a beautiful family of five, and we wish them all the best as they settle into life with their two newest members.

Leading Instructional Excellence

Over the past fortnight, Bron Stelle, Isaac Delaney, Netanel Koles, and I had the privilege of participating in professional learning through the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership. The session was led by Dr. Nathaniel Swain, one of Australia’s most influential educational leaders. Our focus was on 'Leading Instructional Excellence,' a course designed to refine how we lead high-impact teaching practices. The core of this learning involves ensuring that every classroom interaction is intentional, evidence-based, and designed to maximize student growth. We look forward to implementing these insights to continue raising the bar for our students.

Mental Health First Aid Training

This coming Friday 6th March is a Pupil Free Day, during which all school staff will be undergoing intensive training in Mental Health First Aid. This is a vital priority for our school; just as we have staff trained to handle physical injuries, it is equally important that we are equipped to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health challenges. This training empowers our staff to provide early intervention and support, ensuring Mitcham Primary remains a safe and nurturing environment for every child.

NAPLAN: A Snapshot of Learning

Looking ahead, our Grade 3 and Grade 5 students will soon be participating in NAPLAN. This national assessment takes place over four days and covers four key areas of the curriculum: Writing, Reading, Language Conventions (spelling, grammar, and punctuation), and Numeracy. While NAPLAN is an important "educational health check" that helps us track progress and ensures our teaching programs are meeting national standards, it is just one of many ways we measure success. Our students are well-prepared, and we want to ensure they feel calm and confident. We encourage families to treat these days like any other school day; we certainly do not want any of our students feeling stressed or anxious. The goal is simply for them to try their best and show what they know.

Testing will take place over four days as follows:

• Wednesday 11th March: Writing
• Thursday 12th March: Reading
• Monday 16th March: Language Conventions (Spelling, Grammar, and Punctuation)
• Tuesday 17th March: Numeracy (Number)

Some ways that you can support your child during NAPLAN include:

• Keep it Low Key: Treat test days like any other school day to keep anxiety levels low.
• Rest & Fuel: Ensure your child gets a good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast.
• Positive Talk: Remind them that this is just one way we see how they are going, and their best effort is all we ask for.
• Be on time: The tests are run in the first learning block of the day, so it is essential that students arrive on time.

I wish all our families a positive and restful recharge over the upcoming long weekend. We look forward to seeing everyone back at school on Tuesday 10th March.

Warmly,

Erin Norman