Dear School Community Members,

Manifold Heights Primary School is committed to the wellbeing of all students. Our engagement in the Respectful Relationships initiative, our ongoing commitment to the School Wide Positive Behaviour Support framework (SWPBS), along with regular classroom sessions within our Social and Emotional Learning program and on our School Values, help harness and support the wellbeing of all students. Recently I came across a wonderful website compiled by Independent Schools Victoria, titled, ‘The Parents Website’. The website provides news, features and resources for parents on a number of topics that aim to develop the wellbeing of our children yet can be challenging to navigate with our children. These topics include screen time, anxiety, bullying, homework, avoiding safetyism, and parenting. For families who are interested in topics such as the ones listed above, I encourage you to take a look at this website: https://theparentswebsite.com.au/

Prep Letterland Celebration: What a wonderful celebration it was for our Prep Learning Community last Wednesday! Our annual Letterland Parade is a time to celebrate and reflect on the incredible progress and growth our 68 Prep students have achieved. Congratulations to our Prep families and our Prep staff who have nurtured, encouraged, challenged and cared for our Prep students.

Mano is a great place to be!

School Concert – Monday, 12th August: The excitement is building as we inch closer to our much anticipated School Concert. All students and staff are working tirelessly to ensure a fabulous show. Information regarding purchasing and booking tickets was sent home via Compass recently. Please attend to this promptly to avoid disappointment. We look forward to our School Community coming together to see our students showcase their performing arts talents.

Parent/Guardian Opinion Survey: WE WANT OUR FAMILIES TO TELL US WHAT THEY THINK!

Our school is conducting a survey to find out what our parents and guardians think of our school. The Parent/Guardian Opinion Survey is an annual survey offered by the Department of Education that is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of families’ perceptions of school climate, student behaviour, and student engagement. We encourage all families to participate in this survey. Our school will use the survey results to help inform and direct future school planning and improvement strategies. While previously a random sample of approximately 30 per cent of parents/caregivers/guardians have been selected to participate, this year, all families are invited to participate in the survey.

The Parent/Guardian Opinion Survey will be conducted from Monday, 29th July to

Friday, 6th September.

The survey will be conducted online, only takes 20 minutes to complete, and can be accessed at any convenient time within the fieldwork period on desktop computers, laptops, tablets or smartphones. The online survey will be available in a range of languages other than English. Please contact the office if you would like more information.

Oval Update: Last week, I met with a turf consultant and our project manager to determine whether the Narmbool Street end of the oval was ready for student use. Unfortunately, the advice was that the turf was not ready. The consultant suggested the turf is at least four weeks before it is ready for student use. With this in mind, the Narmbool Street end of our oval will not be available – we will provide further updates towards the end of the term.

It’s not Okay to be away!: As a follow up from last week’s newsletter, I would like to continue to highlight the importance of regular attendance at school.

Why does 20 days matter? Research shows that 20 or more days absent directly impacts on student learning and their ability to develop friendships and relationships.

Our target for 2024 is no more than 15 days absence per student (on average).

We ask families to please reinforce the motto that It’s not Okay to be away!

The table below highlights the importance of regular attendance to school.

0-6 days

per semester

This is within the normal range. The child can take advantage of the teaching and learning opportunities available to them.

7 – 10 days

per semester

This attendance rate is below average. A child with this attendance rate could miss over one year of schooling between Prep and Year 10.

11- 20 days per

semester

This is a poor attendance rate. A child with this attendance rate could miss up to two years of schooling between Foundation and Year 12.

If you’re having attendance issues with your child, please let your classroom teacher know or contact Mrs Geary or Mr Smith so we can work together to get your child to school every day.

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

Christian Smith

Staff in the Spotlight