Principal's Report

It's hard to believe we are nearing the end of Term 3. With only two weeks to go, this term has absolutely flown by! It is wonderful to see so many amazing things happening in our school community. 

Staffing Update – Jeanette Nortcliffe 

This week we welcomed Jeanette Nortcliffe to our school community. Her key role is to support student wellbeing. Jeanette works Monday-Wednesday and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the role.  Some things Jeanette can offer to help support students and families at Marlborough Primary School include: 

• Supporting students with friendship issues and helping them to work through conflict respectfully. 
• Making new friends and expanding friendship groups. 
• Supporting students if they are feeling worried or anxious about things at home or school. 
• Supporting students through times of change and uncertainty. 
• Running lunchtime clubs for students who benefit from a quiet, calm environment, enjoy the activities or who are looking to build friendships. 
• Supporting families in times of financial difficulty by running a community pantry (more information to come) and helping to people connect with support services. 
• Jeanette is able to work with students in groups and work with students individually, depending on each individual's current needs. 

 Jeanette has already started running lunchtime clubs such as reading club on a Monday and colouring club on a Tuesday, which all students are welcome to attend. If you think your child would benefit from seeing Jeanette, please print and complete the form below or get a copy from the school office.

Sun Safety: 

As the weather is starting to get warmer and the days becoming more sunny, the UV daily index is consistently starting to exceed 3.0. In alignment with our Sun Smart Policy, this means it is time to bring out the hats again! 

Students must wear a sun protective hat that shades the face, neck and ears for all outdoor activities. Broad-brimmed, legionnaire or bucket style hats are ideal. Students who are not wearing a hat will be asked to play in an undercover area. 

Athletics Day: 

Athletics Day was a huge success and it was wonderful to see everyone dressed up in their house colours. Everyone was ready to do their best and cheer for their peers. Overall, Ford claimed first place with Jones in second, Cawley in third and Kenny in forth place. A massive thank you to Bonny for coordinating the event and to all the teachers and volunteers on the day for helping the day to run as smoothly as it did - amazing effort!

Book Week:  

Book Week was such a success! It was brilliant to see so many amazing costumes on the Monday and so many conversations among the students about reading and books. Our school leaders did an amazing job of running literacy activities for all students around some of this year’s shortlisted books. It was wonderful to see students from all year levels working together and connecting with each other. Our Book Fair also helps to raise money for the school. This money will be used to purchase more books for the library and classrooms.

Staffing Updates: 

We are very excited to have Kirsten Moran in 5/6A teaching Monday-Wednesday until the end of term. Peter Moore and his family have recently relocated to Geelong. Peter will be continuing with us in 5/6B until the end of year, but only working three days a week starting in Term 4.  We wish him and his family well.

We are in the process of hiring teachers for these 5/6 classrooms and will update you as soon as we have more information. 

It has been fantastic having Tracy back at Marlborough Primary School! She is currently filling in as an aide in our Foundation classroom until we can make a permanent appointment for Term 4. We will update you once the position has been filled. 

Laptops:

Earlier this year, money was raised for new student laptops. We thank everyone who contributed! With the money raised, we have been able to purchase seven new laptops and these should be in classrooms very soon. 

School Works: 

Work on our beautiful new mural and front of school playground are scheduled to begin over the September school holidays. We thank everyone involved in helping to fundraise and organise these wonderful school upgrades! 

Breakfast Club: 

A reminder that breakfast club runs every Thursday in the STEM room from 8:30. Breakfast club is free and anyone is welcome to join. 

Curriculum Day reminder: 

A reminder that Monday the 11th of September is a student free day. 

Thank you all again for making me feel so welcome within your school community. It really is a pleasure to be here!

I hope you all have a very happy and safe weekend,

Kind regards,

Katherine Bolton

Acting Principal