News From Mr Smith

Dear School Community Members,

 

Mano Step Up Day – Tuesday, 10th December: The annual State-wide orientation day whereby students engage in an extended transition session with their 2025 teacher, 2025 classmates and in their 2025 classroom will take place on Tuesday (10th December). On this day, students will participate in activities and tasks that support their transition into their next year level. Students will be provided with a letter from their 2025 teacher that will introduce themselves. We will email a letter to all families that will outline their child’s teacher for 2025. Many of our Year 6 students will visit their secondary school on this day.

 

Staff Professional Learning Forum – Starting Right: On Tuesday afternoon, our staff professional learning session was focussed on planning our 2025 Starting Right program. The Mano ‘Starting Right’ program aims to establish shared values, behaviours, expectations and routines. This all falls under the School Wide Positive Behaviour Support framework that is embedded at Mano. The program allows students to play a major role in setting classroom agreements, routines and expectations. The program also teaches students about what keeps them switched on as learners, and what sort of things interfere with learning. It is a great program which also works hard at building relationships between students and teachers and the cohesion within each class. Led by our Student Wellbeing Leader, Mrs Forsyth, our 2025 teaching teams begun planning their Starting Right program. This will enable each of our 2025 classes to co-create the culture that will enhance each students learning and wellbeing. We look forward to sharing aspects of the Starting Right program early in 2025.

Ms Lisa Benson– resignation: It is with mixed emotions that I inform you that we are farewelling Mrs Lisa Benson at the end of the year. Ms Benson will expand her Tutoring Business and, as a result, has resigned from her position at Mano. We thank Ms Benson for her wonderful contribution to Mano and wish her every success. Thank you, Lisa! 

 

School Council: On Monday night, our School Council met to celebrate our achievements of 2024 and to acknowledge our wonderful school community. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all School Councillors for their commitment, efforts and passion for Mano. To Naomi Doody, Jacklyn Richardson, Terry Gillard, Sarah Francis, Emma Beyers, Ragini Flower, Paul Wigglesworth, Jono Connor, Amy James, Elly Hanlon, Matt Cowell, Jess Chapman, Aimee Forsyth, John Hambrook, Narelle Geary, Jessica Davies and Jessie Burney  – THANK YOU for your amazing contribution to Mano in 2024!

 

Key Dates in November and December

  • Tuesday, 10th December Mano Transition Day – students meet their 2025 teacher
  • Thursday, 12th December Grade 6 Graduation ceremony
  • Thursday, 19th December Christmas Concert and End of Year Celebration – 9:15am
  • Friday, 20th December Last day of school year – 1.30pm dismissal

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

 

Christian Smith