Last Saturday we experienced a record turnout at our Working Bee, and what a difference it made. The skip bin is overflowing with plant matter and every green waste bin is full, a clear sign of a community that truly cares.

While the leaves felt never-ending, the collective effort has ensured they are no longer blocking our drains and impacting our grounds. I sincerely thank the parents who gave up their time to attend, and especially those who brought their children along. It was wonderful to see every child, no matter how young, contributing by sweeping paths, gathering leaves and carrying garden debris.

Thank you for your care, your energy and your commitment to our school.

Parent Voluntary Contributions (Parent Payments) Continue to Support Improvements for Our Current Students

As our 2026 school tours get underway, prospective families consistently comment on the beauty of our grounds and buildings. This is no accident. We are able to maintain and enhance our environment thanks to the families who contribute through our voluntary parent payments, which allow us to employ a part-time handyman/gardener.

In addition, many families make tax-deductible contributions to the Building and Library Funds. These contributions are currently supporting the construction of a large shade structure running alongside the school. This impressive addition will cover a basketball court and include lighting, a sound system and suspended basketball rings, creating a versatile, all-weather space for students. Installation will occur in the second half of the year.

Our School Council Facilities Sub-Committee carefully oversees these funds to ensure parent contributions are invested back into improving our facilities for the students who are here now.

SCHOOL COUNCIL

Our final School Council meeting was held on Monday 16 February. Each sub-committee presented its annual report, outlining actions undertaken, achievements made and recommendations for incoming members in 2027. I encourage you to read these School Council sub-committee reports on the website.

I would like to sincerely thank our Council members whose terms have concluded. Your governance, dedication and commitment to working in partnership with the school to continually improve outcomes for our community is greatly appreciated. A special thank you to our President, Luda Unitt, for her six years on council, her leadership as President and her contribution to strengthening Council processes and fostering a positive, collaborative culture.

With nominations now closed and the 2026 School Council declared, we look forward to our first meeting on Monday 16 March. This meeting will commence with the Annual General Meeting at 6:30pm where the Annual Report to the School Community will be presented. Community members are warmly invited to attend. The AGM will be followed by our first council meeting at 7:00pm and include the appointment of Council and sub-committee roles.

CURRICULUM DAY – Tuesday 10 March (Pupil Free)

Monday 9 March is a public holiday, and Tuesday 10 March will be a pupil-free day. On this day, our teachers will participate in professional learning with Presenter Misty Adoniou, focusing on a close analysis of high-quality mentor texts. This work aims to deepen reading comprehension and develop complex writing techniques that students can apply in their own writing, while also strengthening teachers’ knowledge and confidence in teaching grammar within a meaningful writing context.

We hope families enjoy this long weekend, and that students have the chance to play, rest, and recharge, ready to give their best in the final four weeks of term.

Students who need care on the pupil-free day can attend TheirCare. Please see the newsletter for TheirCare’s report and booking details.

TEACHER DISCUSSIONS

Parent–Teacher discussions will take place on Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 March.

These meetings provide a valuable opportunity for parents and teachers to share information about your child’s academic progress and social-emotional development. Each interview is 10 minutes, so we encourage parents to consider in advance the points they would like to discuss.

Bookings can be made via Compass, which is now open.

EASTER BASKETS & RAFFLE

MPS Easter Raffle – A Fun and Festive Tradition!

Our Easter Raffle will be one of the highlights of the term, and students will be excited for the special assembly on the last day of term when the winners will be drawn! Easter may feel far away, but with the year already flying by, it’s time to hop ahead and start planning.

Raffle ticket books will be sent home this week, and families will be invited to contribute Easter-themed goodies to create our hampers. We aim to have over 100 prizes, so every donation will help make the raffle even more exciting!

Each class will have a donation box for collecting items, or contributions can be dropped at the office. Additional raffle tickets will also be available from the office for families who wish to purchase more.

Sold tickets and money should be returned in an envelope to the office, with names and phone numbers clearly printed on the ticket stubs. All tickets and money must be returned by 3:30pm, Tuesday 31 March.

ICT ACCEPTABLE USE AGREEMENT

During the first few weeks of school, teachers work through the ICT Acceptable Use Agreement with students to ensure they clearly understand their responsibilities and our school’s expectations when using technology.

Parent awareness is equally important, as families play a vital role in supporting safe and responsible use. The agreement outlines how devices are monitored, the processes for responding to issues or incidents, and the importance of personal insurance and appropriate care of devices.

We ask all parents and carers to please read and acknowledge the agreement via Compass. Students are unable to access school devices until this acknowledgement has been completed.

SWIMMING CARNIVAL

This year marked our first Swimming Carnival at the Carnegie Memorial Swimming Pool, a new venue for our school. While there were a few teething issues around swimming levels and event eligibility, the day was still a positive experience overall. Despite the drizzly weather, many students enjoyed being outdoors and participating in the activities.

Participation in the Swimming Carnival is an expected part of our school program, not an optional event. This highlights the importance of students actively engaging in swimming lessons throughout the year so they are confident and prepared to take part.

As with all events, we reflect on what worked well and identify ways to improve for next year. With a clearer understanding of swimming levels and the pool staff’s requirements, we will be encouraging parents to carefully review their child’s swimming ability when completing forms to ensure an even smoother experience in 2027.

DISTRICT SWIMMING

We are incredibly proud of the students who will be representing our school at the upcoming District Swimming Carnival today. To compete at this level is a wonderful achievement and reflects your commitment, skill and perseverance in the pool.

On behalf of our entire school community, we wish you every success as you represent us. Swim with confidence, support one another and, most importantly, enjoy the experience. We will be cheering you on!

ATTENDANCE - Every Day Counts

At Murrumbeena Primary School, we prioritise regular school attendance. We will work with families to ensure students are in class with their peers and teachers and enjoying all the benefits that brings.

Attending school every day means experiencing what counts – the learning, friendship, fun and opportunities that can shape your child’s future.

We understand that there are times when your child will need to miss school but to ensure minimal disruption to their education, please consider scheduling family holidays or medical/dental appointments outside of school time. If your child is well enough to attend but is worried about friendships, schoolwork or exams, please encourage them to come to school. Avoiding school can make these feelings worse and can create a negative pattern of behaviour.

We know that parents and carers can be juggling challenges daily to get your children to school. If your child must miss school, notify us as soon as possible via email so we can work together to support them.

Remember, Every Day Counts.

Chellee Plumb

Mental Health And Wellbeing