Principal’s Report

Dear families and carers,

I trust that everyone had a pleasant time over the school holiday break. I know there are many very happy Brisbane Lion supporters – congratulations!

What’s happening in term 4?

It has been an amazing two weeks back, apart from all the rain the last few days. It has been so uplifting to see all our students back on deck, and for all of us to experience and share so many stories. What a wonderful start to the term! As always, plenty of highlights to look forward to this term including a late-night experience for Grade 1s, Grade 2 sleepover, Hispanic day, Graduation for our Grade 6 students, kinder visits, World Teacher’s Day and much more.

Term 4 is an interesting one as it is a time of reflection on the current year and a time of preparation for the next school year. For the grade 6s, it is the last term they will spend in primary school. It is a time of mixed emotions, excitement and nervousness about starting the next chapter of their education journey and transitioning to secondary school. The grade 5s are preparing to step up and become the next leaders of the school. It is exciting to see the growth the Prep-Year 4s have shown over the last three terms.

Term 4 Staff Professional Practice Day - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS 4th, 5th and 6th November

As part of the DET agreement, teaching staff are entitled to a Professional Practice Day. Due to the shortage of replacement teachers, the Department of Education has indicated that we can hold this day on the same day for all staff. Our Professional Practice Day will be on Wednesday 6th November . There will be no school for students on this day. Families needing supervision for their children can book their child into our Out of Hours Program run by TheirCare.

Students will not be required at school on Monday 4th November- Report Writing Day, and Tuesday 5th November- Melbourne Cup Day.

SunSmart

Please remember that our SunSmart approach is now in full swing, and all students will need to be wearing appropriate hats when playing outside. If students are outside without a hat, teachers will direct them to play in the shade for their safety. So please support students’ ability to play freely by packing a hat (or two) in school bags, with names on the inside to assist the return of any lost hat.

Planning for 2025

Term 4 is always dominated with planning for the following year – grade and staff selection, budgets, enrolments and more. We have asked this before, (and families have been very good in letting us know), but if any other families are intending to leave our school community in 2025 because of relocation or other reason, could you please advise us as soon as possible. A phone call to the office, or an email to the school or my email account asap would be most appreciated.

Foundation Enrolments

The school is currently accepting enrolments for 2025 and a formal transition program will begin for our new Prep (Foundation) students on 8th November (session 1).

Families that have a sibling starting at Merri-bek Primary School next year and have not yet completed the enrolment process should contact our friendly Office Staff for assistance.

Your assistance with this process is much appreciated as we go through the process of building grade structures and staffing for the coming school year.

Child Safety:

Merri-bek Primary School is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. This will be the primary focus of our care and decision-making. Merri-bek Primary School has zero tolerance for child abuse.

We are committed to providing a child safe environment where children and young people are safe and feel safe, and their voices are heard about decisions that affect their lives. Particular attention will be paid to the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, as well as the safety of children with a disability and children who are vulnerable.

Every person involved in Merri-bek Primary School has a responsibility to understand the important and specific role they play individually and collectively to ensure that the wellbeing and safety of all children and young people is at the forefront of all they do and every decision they make.

On arrival at Merri-bek Primary School, all volunteers, visitors and contractors must make contact with the office, sign in at the front desk and wear a visitor’s badge while on site.

Please find attached the link to our child safety policy.

https://merri-bekps.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/MPS-Child-Safety-Policy-2.pdf

Please don’t hesitate to come and see me if you have any concerns.

Maria Giordano

Principal

Assistant Principal’s Report

Welcome back to a big and wonderful Term 4.

What an exciting and packed term this term is. Please see your year level Overview for more information as they come out.

I want to introduce you to a new member of the school living in my office. His name is “Speedy” the Sloth (see above), he is a lover of hugs, is a great listener and students are welcome to come and see him any time, especially if they want a cuddle or feel overwhelmed. (Thanks to Rosa and Speedy for their demonstration see above).

Last term Helen and I were busy resourcing the school with decodable readers and resources to support the school’s approach to phonological awareness; …… and phonics; …… and beautiful mentor texts for the teachers to use with students. Phonics and Phonological Awareness are now part of the literacy requirements for all Department schools within each school’s literacy approach.

Below is a table which documents differences between the types of texts that students are exposed to at Merri-bek Primary School and their purposes.

Kind regards

Bianca Hudson

Hispanic Day