Welcome to the 2026 school year. We have had a tremendous start to the year with all students settling in to their new classrooms and routines very quickly. Our Foundation students will join us next Monday, and we cannot wait.

We are so please to welcome some new families to our Mullum Primary School community: Ethan (2K), Hunter (2M), Harley (5/6G), Bella (3/4S), Donya (5/6L), Lucas (5/6C) and Kiara (5/6G). We look forward to getting to know you all over the next few weeks. Do not hesitate to call in at the office, or give us a call if you have any questions.

Thank you

Just a quick shout out to the families that took care of our chickens and vegetable gardens over the school holiday period. The chickens are happy and the garden flourishing. Thank you particularly to Archer in Grade 5 who worked tirelessly to ensure our chickens were looked after during the hot weather.

International Students

Next Monday, 2 February, we welcome nine Chinese International students who are joining our Grade 3-6 classes, for up to four weeks. This is in addition to our formal Encounter Program that will run again in July/August.

Twilight Sports - Tuesday 17 February

Coming up very soon is the annual Twilight Sports Night on the school oval. Bring along your picnic and join us as we bring together our school community for the first time in 2026. To support new and returning families to meet each other we will be providing signage for grade levels so families can gather in those spaces and meet each other, if they want to. Everyone is welcome.

Victorian State Schools Spectacular (VSSS 2026)

We are so excited to again be part of the Victorian State School Spectacular Mass Choir. Last year was our first year and a huge learning curve for us all. I think I know how it all works now! We are calling for expressions of interest for students in Grade 4-6 who would be interested in joining the choir, attend the rehearsals and performances at John Cain Arena. Today I have sent out a separate Expression of Interest notice on Compass to all Grade 4-6 students and really look forward to having 20 students join this choir. Expression of Interest forms are due back at school by Friday 6 February.

Instrumental Music at Mullum Primary School

We are thrilled to let everyone know that our instrumental teachers are continuing in 2026. If you woudl like your child to learn one of the following instruments, then please check the Optional Activities at MPS in this newsletter for more information.

Keyboard - with Diana Matthews. Diana has been teaching keyboard for many years at MPS and we are delighted she is returning
Guitar - Tom Glover has taught Guitar at MPS for the last two years
Drums - Daniel McKenzie is starting his second year at MPS

All of our instrumental teachers are keen for new students to commence learning.

In addition to these instrumental lessons we are excited to introduce a new program of Brass and Woodwind. Mark Nunis is commencing lessons for Grade 3-6 students, please email Mark (mark.nunis@education.vic.gov.au) if you are interested in your child participating in these lessons.

Dates For Your Diary

Each fortnighlty newsletter, I update the Dates For Your Diary page of the newsletter. I remove expired dates and add new dates and activities. I also mark the new dates with (NEW) giving you the opportunity to glance through and see the new dates so that you can add them to your diary. We are starting to add these dates to the Compass Calendar to ensure you have this information at your finger tips.

Icypoles for sale

Starting tomorrow, we will be selling zooper doopers each Friday lunchtime for $1.

Lunchtime Clubs

Every lunchtime we offer a range of Clubs for students to attend. At 2:00 each day a bell rings that lets students know the clubs are open. These activities are free and open to anyone.

This term the following are offered:

Monday - Library, Lego/Loom Band Club and JSC will meet

Tuesday - Library, Drawing Club

Wednesday - Library, Crochet Club, Children's University

Thursday - Library, Games Club

Friday - Library

Tennis Coaching

With the Australian Open about to finish up for the year, your child may have expressed interest in tennis coaching. We offer a parent paid program here each Thursday at recess time. Forms and more information available at the office.

ICT Agreements

Tomorrow, we will be sending home the annual ICT Agreement to all families. These Agreements are an important part of our eSmart program, covering safety online while at school. Classroom teachers will have been through this with your child and we ask that you go through it with your child, sign it and return it to school as soon as possible.

Jump Start Surveys

Each year we ask families to fill in a Jump Start Survey, providing information to the new classroom teacher. These surveys first went out before Christmas but were also sent to families, who had not completed them, yesterday. If you would like the class teacher to follow up on anything with you, then please ensure you have ticked the box asking for this.

Mullum Matters

Be Honest, Be Kind, Be Curious, Be Respectful

Issue 22 · 29 Jan 2026

In this issue