Principal's Message

The return of the MPRPS School Bazaar 

Come and share ideas!

Exciting plans are underway for the highly anticipated return of the MPRPS School Bazaar! Parent, Luke Neilson is incredibly motivated to get the event up and running and is seeking support from parents to make it a success. If you're passionate about contributing to the school community and helping bring this event to life, your involvement would be greatly appreciated.

A meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 26th at 6:00 PM in the school hall to discuss plans and share ideas.

We’re looking forward to coming together as a school community to create an unforgettable event, and we’d love for you to be a part of it!

Cyber Safety Project

Students at MPRPS participated in this incursion last week. Being safe online is another vital component to an individual's wellbeing. We will utilise the Cyber Safety Project curriculum to teach our students about conduct online. Given the prevalence of technology in our students' lives these days, it is so important for them to learn how to use devices safely. These are important disussions to have at both home and school. 

Cyber Safety Parent Webinars

The Tech Safe Parents 2025 Webinar Series schedule run through the Cyber Safety Project:

March 18th – Online Safety Essentials: Keeping Your Kids Safe in the Digital World

April 2nd – Cyberbullying Uncovered: Empowering Parents to Protect Kids’ Wellbeing

June 3rd – The Social Media Guide: What Every Parent Needs to Know in 2025

August 13th - AI Deepfakes & Misinformation: Understanding AI’s impact on Your Kids

October 23rd - Safe Gaming for Kids: Building Boundaries for Positive Play

Parent Registration: All webinars will be recorded and commence live at 7.30pm AEDT/AEST. Parents must register at cybersafetyproject.com/parents2025 

School Council Elections

I am announcing the annual elections for our School Council. School council members are elected (or co-opted in the case of community members) for approximately a two year term. Usually half the membership expires each year creating vacancies for the annual school council election. We have 4 parent vacancies this year. Please see the next page for information on the role and process.

SRC and Pleasant Snacks Badge Presentation

On Monday our Pleasant Snacks and SRC representatives from each class were presented with their badges. 

The role of SRC rep is highly valued at MPRPS and another way we can hear and advocate for student voice at our school.

The MPRPS Student Representative Council (SRC) is made up of two Representatives from each class from Year F to 6. Members of the SRC meet every 2-3 weeks, often giving up their lunchtimes to attend meetings which are run by the students and SRC Presidents guided by teachers.

During these meetings, the SRC discusses issues relating to the school community. The SRC are often given the task of interviewing their class members about certain issues (for example, what books they would like to see in the Library and what lunchtime clubs they would like to see introduced at the school). The SRC shares this information with MPRPS staff to help them make decisions regarding the operations of the school.

Through the SRC, students are given a formal ‘voice’ within the school; an opportunity to have a say on how the school is run.  In addition, the SRC have initiated some of the school’s fundraising events including end-of-term dress up days, ANZAC and Poppy Appeals and the annual school disco.

Congratulations to the following students:

Pleasant Snacks is the student managed shop that operates on a Friday at lunch time. The new Year 5 managers were selected from a large number of applications and we commend the students on their efforts. 

The Pleasant Snacks Managers for 2025 are Emma P, Harriet, Elspeth and Arya!

Kinder Picnic

For me the daily walk through the kindergarten  has become a routine, one that allows for a connection with the young learners and the  educators who shape their early experiences. 

This week, the MPRPS as families, staff, and students gathered for the Kindergarten Picnic. The event brought together the community that supports the kindergarten providing a wonderful opportunity for connection..

The picnic that truly brought the sense of community into focus. Families, teachers, and students came together to enjoy an evening  of play, conversation and picnic food.

This event was a perfect occasion for parents to meet with one another, strengthening the bonds that contribute to a supportive and caring environment for the children. As one parent shared, "It’s lovely to see our little ones enjoying themselves with their friends, but it’s just as important for us, as parents, to build those relationships too."

Introducing Murphy to our new families

Murphy was introduced to MPRPS as a 16-week-old  puppy in December 2020. He is owned and loved by  Education Support Louise Naismith and her family. 

Louise attended Lead the Way Institute with Murphy  when he was 9 months old to receive the Visiting  Therapy Dog and Handler Team Certification. 

The course involved intensive behavior training for  Murphy and many hours of training for Louise in Animal Assisted Intervention (AAI) which involved learning  about the benefits and skills needed for using dogs to  assist in various environments including schools, therapy sessions and nursing homes. 

Murphy may be a cute and fluffy pooch, but he brings much more to the table than just his adorable appearance! Research into the impact of therapy dogs in schools has revealed a range of benefits that go beyond the obvious cuteness. Animal interactions, like those with therapy dogs, have been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, with hormonal benefits that help promote relaxation. These interactions also lead to increased confidence and self-esteem in students, fostering a more positive self-image. In the classroom, therapy dogs can contribute to improved learning outcomes, such as enhanced work performance and better overall results. Additionally, they play a role in cultivating more positive attitudes towards learning, boosting student motivation, and supporting the development of important social and emotional skills. Students who engage with therapy dogs often form stronger relationships with both staff and peers, creating a more supportive and connected school environment.

Mount Pleasant Road Primary School Community would like to express their gratitude to Bakers Delight Brentford Square for kindly donating bread each week for our Breakfast Club.

Have a great weekend!

Claudia