The Moorabbin Primary School Community touch the land and think of the Bunurong People and surrounding Clans of the Kulin Nation who cared for the land before us.

We share our gratitude to their Elders past, present and emerging. As we touch this land, we promise to treasure it, taking care of all its people, animals, plants and waterways. We at Moorabbin Primary School appreciate this land. Thank you.

Dear Parents and Carers,

Hello and welcome to week 8 of term!

Can you believe Term 3 is nearly finished and we are starting to head to the pointy end of the year where our Grade 6’s will begin the transition to high school, Preps for 2025 confirming enrolment and beginning their transition to school, Grade 6 Graduation and Colour Fun Day coming up and all of the other end of year festivities to organise and celebrate!

With Spring officially starting last Sunday and the weather getting warmer, we have experienced some unusually high winds in the last few days. On days where there are weather warnings, we put in place alternative arrangements for students during recess and lunch.

Next term is a “hat term” we ask that everyone finds their school approved hat to ensure that all our students have the necessary protection from UV and sun rays when they are playing outside.

SCHOOL SAVING BONUS FOR 2025

In Term 4, 2024, families with a child enrolled in a government school from Prep to Year 12 in 2025 will receive the one-off $400 School Saving Bonus.

The $400 School Saving Bonus provides families with support for education-related costs, such as school activities and/or school uniforms and textbooks.

The School Saving Bonus is not available for full-fee international students, home schooled students, TAFE students and students attending kindergarten in 2025.

Actions for parents and carers

Before 18 October 2024, the Department of Education is asking parents and carers to:

Complete enrolment: If your child, or children are changing government school for Term 1 2025 or starting Prep or Year 7 in 2025. For more information, read about Enrolling in School.

Check your contact information: Ensure your email address and phone number is up to date with us. You can check this information by contacting us directly. Some families have already been contacted as contact details did not match with our Compass portal and DET portal.

We need to ensure your contact information is up to date as the Department of Education will email you twice:

in October, to verify your email address.

in November, with your $400 School Saving Bonus.

Please check your junk mail regularly to make sure you do not miss an important email.

To learn more about the School Saving Bonus, download the School Saving Bonus Information sheet for government school parents and carers or visit vic.gov.au/school-saving-bonus.

CONGRATULATIONS to our Chess and Terrific award winners

SCIENCE

SPELLING

ENGLISH

DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

🚨 WHOOPING COUGH (PERTUSSIS)

We now have 5 confirmed cases of whooping cough. I urge all parents to please look out for symptoms and seek medical advice as soon as you suspect your child may be infected. It is extremely important that we try and contain any unnecessary spread as we have both students, teachers and community members who are immunocompromised, and this infection could be very serious.

The Department of Health is reporting an increase in cases of pertussis (whooping cough) in Victoria. Please note the following summary from the Department of Health.:

● Cases of pertussis (whooping cough) are increasing in Victoria, particularly amongst school-aged children.

● Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory illness known for causing a cough, symptoms of which may be indistinguishable from other respiratory infections, especially in its early stages.

● Pertussis can lead to life threatening infections in babies.

● Adults and older children can also get pertussis and pass it on to infants.

● Prompt diagnosis, isolation and treatment can help reduce transmission and protect vulnerable infants.

● Pertussis vaccination for infants and pregnant women is strongly recommended to reduce the risk of infection and complications.

● Ensure infants are vaccinated on time, and all pregnant women are vaccinated between 20-32 weeks.

For more information, please visit:

https://www.health.vic.gov.au/health-alerts/increasing-pertussis-whooping-cough-cases-in-victoria

Noxia Angelides

Principal

WHAT'S GOING ON IN SCIENCE?