From the Principal

TRANSITION ‘STEP UP’ PROGRAM

This week we launched our ‘Murrumbeena High’ transition program, giving our Year 6 students a taste of what secondary school will be like. Students across other year levels have also taken part in informal transition sessions, allowing teachers to observe interactions and consider the effectiveness of proposed class groupings.

The state-wide Transition Day will take place on Tuesday 9 December, which is the final stage of our ‘Step Up’ program. On this day, the 2026 classes will be announced. Students will meet their new teacher and classmates, learn their classroom location, and become familiar with their new line-up areas.

As communicated throughout the year, creating class lists is a detailed and time-consuming process. Families have already had the opportunity to provide input through the placement request form, and we will not be accepting any further requests to change classes.

Following the announcement of the 2026 classes, we will be seeking Expressions of Interest for Parent Class Representatives (one per class). These will be due by Monday 15 December.

INFORMATION TO PARENTS – Distributed on Transition Day (Tuesday 9 December)

Each student who is returning to MPS in 2026, will take home an envelope containing a letter with the name of the teacher for their 2026 class along with an expression of interest for Class Parent Representative.

SEMESTER REPORTS AND THE COMPASS CONTINUUM

At the end of Terms 2 and 4, teachers report student progress against the Victorian Curriculum by providing a progression point for the subject areas taught within the Units of Inquiry. Alongside the formal semester report, parents and carers also have access to the Compass Continuum, which outlines the learning objectives taught throughout the year. The Continuum highlights the skills each student has consolidated and identifies areas still to be developed.

The Continuum will be available to families on Transition Day (Tuesday 9 December). Semester Reports will be released on Tuesday 16 December.

DOWNLOADING SEMESTER REPORTS FROM COMPASS

When the school year ends, students who are leaving the school (including Year 6 students) will no longer have access to Compass. For this reason, it is essential that all semester reports are downloaded and saved to your personal devices for future reference.

CLASS REPRESENTATIVES FOR 2026

Our Class Representatives have been invaluable this year, helping keep families informed about school activities and following up with teachers when clarification has been needed. Many families have also enjoyed the social opportunities organised by class reps, which play an important part in strengthening connections and fostering a sense of community across the school. Please let us know if you are interested in being a class rep in 2026.

STAFFING CHANGES FOR 2026

Each year brings moments of farewell as we say goodbye to some of our teachers and welcome new colleagues to our school community.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the staff who are leaving us this year. Their dedication, professionalism, and care have had a significant and lasting impact on our students and our school. We are deeply grateful for the energy, skill and warmth they have brought to their classrooms, and we know their students have benefited enormously from their expertise and commitment. We wish each of them every success as they embark on new opportunities and experiences, and we look forward to welcoming some of them back in the future.

We say goodbye to the following staff, each moving into exciting new chapters:

Shelly Dagan and Maddie Grandy are both expecting their first child. Miss Dagan will begin her maternity leave next Monday, while Miss Grandy will return for the first few weeks of Term 1 before starting her leave.
Jen Kepa, who has been a valued member of our school for the past ten years, is moving into the independent school sector to pursue new professional experiences.
Thy Do and Zach McMahon are relocating to schools closer to home, ensuring a better work–life balance.
Joe Calderone is expanding his career by pursuing a Learning Specialist position.
With Miss Marquis returning from leave, Ms Lisa Walker will be continuing her art teaching with students in a school over the Westgate Bridge.
Caroline Clarke will be returning to her base school and Sue Kappa will be travelling.

Following an extensive recruitment process, we are delighted to be welcoming several new teachers to our school for 2026. We look forward to the fresh ideas, knowledge, and enthusiasm they will bring to our learning community.

TEACHING TEAMS FOR 2026:

In each team listed below, the first staff member named will be the Year Level Leader.

Prep- Rocky De Maio, Elisa Hendriks, Ella Calderone and Elijah Roberts

Year 1- Jarrah Kitchen, Ethan Mountney, Kira Portmann and Anna Janiszewski

Year 2- Aine Cunniffe, Brianna Newbond and Ashlee Tonkin

Year 3- Elle Avery, Maisie Barry, Paula Bain and Jade Christensen

Year 4- Mitchell Houston, Maxine Riley and Nancy Phan

Year 5- Radhika Perera, Phil Cook, Stephanie Protektor/ Jess Maya and James Sfyridis

Year 6- Annie Lui and Gabby McPherson

Specialist Teachers include:

STEM- Oliver Johnson

P.E. – Todd Pullar

Art- Jade Marquis

Performing Arts- Shelly Nugent

Japanese- Josie Briggs

Curriculum Support & Intervention:

Full time teachers: Michelle Tzialis and Anna Lancia

Part time staff : Laura Bainbridge, Teagan Hutchison, Mel Short

Leading Teachers and their responsibilities (responsible for curriculum, assessment, reporting, coaching and mentoring)

Andrew McKibbin: Maths curriculum, assessment, reporting, coaching and mentoring)

Chelsea Quirk: (Diversity and Inclusion). Chelsea will also guide and support the Prep team.

Emily Kurts: Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader. Emily will also guide and support the year 1 and 2 teaching teams.

Assistant Principals:

Fiona Sewell – Responsible for whole school wellbeing and Inclusion programs as well as daily organisation.

Angela Houghton – Responsible for the implementation of the IB Primary Years Program and whole school curriculum teaching and learning.

YEAR 6 EXHIBITION

Congratulations to our Year 6 team — Joe Calderone, Annie Lui and Gabby McPherson along with our PYP Coordinator Angela Houghton, for delivering another remarkable Year 6 Exhibition. The students’ presentations captivated visitors with thoughtful provocations that encouraged curiosity, reflection, and rich conversation.

Our students demonstrated a strong understanding of their chosen inquiries and spoke confidently about the issues they explored, as well as the possible actions and solutions they had identified. We also extend our thanks to the parents and carers who attended and engaged so genuinely with the work of all students, not just their own.

PREPARING OUR YEAR 6 STUDENTS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL

Our Year 6 students are currently taking part in our three-week ‘Murrumbeena High’ transition program, designed to mirror a typical day in secondary school. Students move between rooms following a timetable and take part in subjects such as Legal Studies, Psychology, Health, LOTE and History.

Mr Jared Bandara, Year 7 Coordinator from Glen Eira College, visited to teach practical skills including reading a high school timetable, using a combination lock and organising folders and textbooks. Former MPS students also returned to share their experiences and answer questions.

Throughout the program, students explore secondary-style subjects, work through realistic transition scenarios, develop coping strategies and discuss positive responses to peer pressure and new social situations. These sessions complement our Step Up activities and the Statewide Transition Day, helping students feel confident and prepared for Year 7.

VOLUNTEERS – SPECIAL AFTERNOON TEA

Our school is fortunate to have so many generous volunteers who give their time and energy to enrich our programs, events, and day-to-day operations. We truly couldn’t offer the range of opportunities we do without your ongoing support, and it’s now our chance to show our appreciation.

After the success of last year’s afternoon tea, we’re delighted to host this year’s celebration in the same format, allowing even more of our helpers to join us. From class reps, SAKG volunteers, and canteen support, to families assisting with second-hand uniforms, excursions, working bees, and countless other activities, your contributions make an enormous difference, and we are sincerely grateful.

Please join us for a special Volunteer Afternoon Tea on Monday 8 December, 3:30–4:30pm, in the beautiful garden space near the Learning Centre (SAKG area). School-aged children will be supervised during the event; toddlers remain in the care of their parents.

RSVP

For catering purposes,

Please RSVP by using the below link.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/11ZgZvyjbEMG4DYy7rdju95zn9YE8TJTAwPGTREEo01w/edit

END-OF-YEAR GIFTS FOR TEACHERS

As we approach the end of the year, we know some families and Class Reps like to show appreciation to teachers through cards or small gifts. While this is a lovely gesture, we want to remind everyone that there is absolutely no expectation to contribute, and any participation should always be completely voluntary. At this busy and often costly time of year, a simple “thank you” or a handmade card is more than enough. We also follow the Department’s Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality guidelines to ensure fairness and comfort for all families. Thank you for your understanding and for the ongoing support you show our staff throughout the year.

Chellee Plumb