Manifold Heights PS Newsletter

News From Mr Smith

Dear School Community Members,

 

We have a number of exciting events coming up! 

 

This week we celebrated our Preps 100th day at school – an event to recognise and applaud the achievements of our Prep Learning Community. Next week we have a number of students participating in the District Athletics Championships, along with our Gr 5 and Gr 6 students visiting Western Heights College as part of their transition to secondary school program. We also have our Grade 6’s venturing off to Cave Hill Creek for their camp next Wednesday. Further into the term, we will celebrate Book Week where students will participate in a range of exciting activities to continue developing their thirst for literacy, and our bi-annual Mano Art Show on Wednesday, 10th September. And of course, our State School Spectacular Team performing at John Cain Arena on Saturday, 13th September.

 

Please keep an ‘eye’ on our calendar in the newsletter each week.

 

School Values - Respect: 

Our embedded school values, Respectful Rocky, Responsible Ronnie and Safe Sally, will continue to be a major focus throughout this term. This focus will include our ‘Student of the Week’ awards aligned to our values, our values displayed around the school, and a commitment from staff to model and engage students in regular discussions and activities relating to our values. 

Respect is to treat others with consideration, fairness and understanding. At Mano, this extends to others property and the environment. One of our student leaders recently defined ‘respect’ so eloquently when she said, “Respect means to take responsibility for each other and to speak and interact with others in a considerate way. Respect is also about being honest, reliable and trustworthy.”  This description is a great guide for us all. 

 

We thank our families for continuing to model our school values.

 

Congratulations – Girls T-Ball Team: 

Congratulations to our Girls T-Ball who won the Regional title on Tuesday and will proceed to the State titles later in the term. An incredible effort!

Thank you to Mr Urquhart and our wonderful families for their incredible coaching and support.

National Week of Action against Bullying – Everyone Belongs: 

Next week is the National Week of Action against Bullying and Violence. The week is Australia’s key bullying prevention initiative for schools and provides an opportunity to connect with students, staff and our school community to implement workable solutions to prevent bullying. The 2025 theme is, Be Bold. Be Kind. Speak Up. Ultimately the week promotes the importance of school, family and community connections in building safe and supportive learning environments where all students can belong, feel accepted and respected.

Research has shown that strong school connections and positive relationships can help to prevent bullying. When students feel a sense of belonging and connectedness at school, they are more likely to enjoy school, to trust and respect their teachers, and be concerned about and help others.

Our students engage in our Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) program that help to grow connections and promote inclusiveness, respect and community belonging for all students.

Thank you to our Positive Behaviour and Wellbeing Ambassadors and Mrs Forsyth for promoting the week and the key message of this significant week.

 

Sunsmart Hats: 

It is that time of the year when we need to ‘dust’ off the Mano Sunsmart Hat. All students are required to wear their Sunsmart Mano hat from Monday (August, 18th) during all outside activities. This is part of the ‘Student Dress Code’ and ‘Sun Smart’ policies of our school. Students will be required to play in a designated shaded area if they don’t have their Sunsmart hat. Please locate your child’s Sunsmart Hat and send along to school from Monday.

 

Update on water damage to Multi-Purpose Room: 

I am pleased to report that our Multi-Purpose Room has been cleared of any long-term damage and will be available again in the coming weeks. The carpet, walls and cupboards are in the process of being rectified. Once this process has been completed, the walls and cupboards will be re-instated. We don’t currently have a date where the Multi and our Performing Arts Room will be available – as soon as we have been informed, we will pass this on.

 

School Council: 

Our School Council met again on Monday night where key agenda items included: 

  • We had the coordinator of the Mano Market provide an update
  • Our 2025 NAPLAN results were tabled and discussed
  • School Council discussed the ‘enrolment pressure’ we have here at Mano (over capacity) and the need to advocate for additional teaching spaces
  • Endorsing the ‘Attendance’, ‘Camps and Excursions’ and Statement of Values and School Philosophy’ policies (available on school website in coming weeks)

Each of our School Councillors are deeply committed and invested in our school. Please contact them if you have any feedback or concerns (details available from our school website).

 

Thank you for supporting our school and have a great week.

 

Christian Smith