Mullum Matters

From Marie

TERM 4

It has been a busy few weeks leading up to the end of the year.  We would like to thank our parent community for all the support for your child to engage with their learning and join in the community building events.  Please check the individual pages in this newsletter for more details and photos. The calendars dates are updated each newsletter and there are new dates for 2025.

 

Helen is taking some leave

Tomorrow will be Helen Boustead's final day with us for a while as she and husband, Cameron, await the arrival of their first child, due shortly after Christmas.  We wish them all well and cannot wait to meet their new addition in the new school year.

Volunteer Morning Tea

In order to thank the many parent and community volunteers who have supported Mullum Primary School across the year we are holding a special morning tea on Friday 13 December at 10:45-11:30.  Invitations have been sent, we hope you have received yours and are able to pop along to the hall, so we can say 'Thank you!'

 

Congratulations, Siena!

Last week, Siena (5/6B) was acknowledged for her expertise in creative writing at the Maroondah City Council Youth Awards, held at Karryka Theatre.  In an previous edition of the our newsletter, we celebrated with Siena when her work was chosen by the Victorian High Abilities Program as a wonderful example of talented creative writing. Well done, Siena!

 

Transition activities

Every year we take time to support our students in transitioning to the next grade level of school.  Over the next few days there are a range of activities coming up that will help your child feel more confident about moving on to the next level of their learning, these include:

  • Foundation 2025 Expo - Tonight at 5:30pm all Foundation 2025 families are invited to come along and join in the wide range of activities in and around the classrooms. A BBQ will offer sausage in bread for dinner!
  • Friday 6 December - All students will step up to the next grade and will spend time in their new class groups.  
  • Tuesday 10 December - Grade 6 students attending government secondary colleges will have a day at their new schools
  • Tuesday 10 December -  All other students will step up to their new grades.  We will be taking a photo of the class and sending it home on the day. Foundation and Grade 5 buddies will have a BBQ at 12:00.

State School Spectacular

We are very excited to let you know that Mullum Primary School will be participating in State School Spectacular in September 2025!  Students in Grades 3-6 are invited to express interest in joining the mass choir (1200 strong!).  This event is televised on Channel 7, you can check out the 2024 State School Spectacular on Saturday 14 December at 7:00pm, this would give you a taste of what is to come in 2025.  A Compass notice went home this week, and forms are available at the office, for families to expression of interest in joining, please complete this by tomorrow!

 

Musical Soiree

On Tuesday, 10 December at 5:30, our instrumental students will be performing for family and friends, showing off their prowess in guitar, keyboard or drums.  This night is always a great celebration of outside the classroom learning. There will be a few nervous children but always such pride when they have finished their pieces. Instrumental teachers have reached out to families inviting you to come along and join in the fun.  Looking forward to seeing you there.

 

Christmas Concert

Amazingly the weather held and we were able to celebrate Christmas and the end of the school year, together as a community.  Special thanks to the parent and staff band; to Parents' Association for selling ice-creams, lollies and drinks; to Mark Nunis for preparing all the students for this event.  At the end of the evening we said farewell to families who are leaving us at the end of the year, most particularly the Grade 6 students who are heading off to high school.  Thank you everyone, it was a wonderful night!

 

 

School Captains for 2025

Today seven of our Grade 5 stdudent presented to all Grade 4-6 students about why they would like to be School Captain.  Each person spoke eloquently and gave great reasons for why they should be the School Captain.  I am very pleased to announce that Pat and Lily will be our 2025 School Captains.  Congratulations Pat and Lily!

 

 

School Structure and Staffing for 2025

It is my great pleasure to inform the community of the 2025 class structure and classroom teachers for 2025.  Below are the final arrangements for 2025, we welcome back Elizabeth Iacona and Monique Gleeson who have been away from Mullum for 2024.

 

Classes:

Foundation CS - Lauren Caceres (Monday & Tuesday), Eliza Surkitt (Tuesday - Friday)

Grade 1M - Tamara Molnar

Grade 1L -  Lauren Lee (1L)

Grade 2K - Matthew Knight 

Grade 2M - Emma McCann 

Grade 3/4M - Sam Martin

Grade 3/4S - Deb Simpson (4 days) & Kate Hickingbotham (1 day)

Grade 3/4E - Elizabeth Iacona

Grade 5/6C - Pablo Caceres

Grade 5/6Y - Nicole Younes (Monday-Thursday) Fiona Pumpa (Friday)

Grade 5/6G - Monique Gleeson

 

Education Support:

Tiffany Day - Foundation

Elise Heeger - Grade 1 & 2

Michelle Burgess - Grade 3/4

Anthony Nero - Grade 3/4 & library

Kim Dagher - Grade 3/4

Ange Clark - Grade 3/4

Susanne Formichi - Grade 5/6

Sonia Cross - Grade 5/6

 

Specialist Classes:

Physical Education - Fiona Pumpa

Italian - Angela Zerella

Performing Arts - Mark Nunis

Visual Arts - Deanne Lawn

 

Administration and Leadership:

Literacy Intervention - Karen Wilson

Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden - Bek Mitchell

Disability Inclusion - Kate Hickingbotham

Mental Health Wellbeing Leader - Karen Hunsdale (3 days)

Learning Specialist Mathematics - Pablo Caceres

Casual Relief Teacher - Marnie Ross

Assistant Principal - Jenny Verheijden (Tuesday/Wednesday)

Business Manager - Kelli Heriot

Office Manager - Kate Raaymakers

Principal - Marie Beale

 

In announcing the above group of staff, you may notice that there are a number of staff not on the list.  We will be farewelling some staff at the end of the year, some are retiring while others are on leave and Jenny is reducing her hours.  Below staff have shared the following information with the community.  

 

I would like to thank each staff member for their long standing commitment to Mullum Primary School (when I add up all those years it comes to nearly 150 years dedicated to Mullum Primary School).  I would like to wish them all the very best for the future.

 

My association, and love for Mullum Primary, began back in 1997 when my three kids began school here. In 2000, I joined the staff in a support role. Over the past 24 years I’ve had the privilege of working across all levels of the school. Many of those years were spent supporting children and their families who had English as their second language. The last few have focused on the administration & first aid needs of our students. My plans for 2025 are fluid, a little bit of this and a lot of that. Lou Brooks

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After two years working at Mullum while studying my Bachelor in Teaching, I will begin teaching Grade  5/6 at Our Lady's of Perpetual Help in Ringwood. Lachlan would like to express his gratitude to the Mullum community and is thankful for his time at the school, with special memories including working on the 2023 school production of Super Stan and being slimed for the 2024 Colour Run. Lachlan Fraser

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After 30 years at Mullum Primary School I am taking some well-earned long-service leave for a bit of travel (Bali and England, Scotland and Wales) and to enjoy a better work/life balance.  Narelle Sencek

 

Narelle has worked across many areas of the school and more recently in the Foundation classes.  I know that Narelle's wisdom and perspectives on life will be missed next year.

We may see Narelle later in the year as one of our casual replacement teachers.

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When I walked into Mullum Primary School 30+ years ago, little did I know the profound impact this community would have on my life. Mullum became so much more than just a workplace; it became a second home filled with laughter, learning and many amazing students and colleagues.

 

Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to watch generations of children grow, not just academically but also in confidence. I’ve witnessed their “lightbulb moments,” and their determination to succeed. Teaching has been more than a career for me; it has been my passion and my purpose. I can only hope that the lessons I’ve taught – and perhaps more importantly, the lessons I’ve learned from my students – have left a positive mark.

 

To my colleagues, past and present: thank you for your camaraderie. You have inspired me, supported me and made every day brighter. The bonds formed over the years reminds me that teaching is never a solo endeavour; it’s a collaborative effort, and I am so lucky to have worked alongside you all. 

 

To the parents and families I’ve partnered with over the years: thankyou for entrusting me with your children. Your support has been invaluable, and I am deeply grateful. 

 

And, of course, to my students – both past and present – your curiosity, resilience, and sense of wonder have reminded me time and again why I chose this profession.

 

While I may no longer be in the classroom, I am excited about what lies ahead. I’m looking forward to exploring this incredible country, caravanning around Australia with my husband, and embracing the adventures of overseas travel – starting in London with Mrs Sencek. This next chapter is a chance to discover new horizons, and I am keen to see where the road will take me.

 

Here’s to the future – yours and mine – and to all the adventures yet to come.

 

With love and gratitude,

Sharon Moloney

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It’s the right time for me to reduce my days at work. I’ll still be fully invested in wonderful Mullum, but you just won’t see me every day. I’m looking forward to more time with my two granddaughters and maybe spending time on the beach when it’s nice and quiet because you are all busy at school. Jenny Verheijden

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Helen Reed is our longest standing staff member, starting here in 1986.  Helen has worked across the whole school supporting hundreds of students with their learning over the years.  During that time, Helen worked for 20 years in administration and Human Relations, produced the fortnightly newsletter, timetabling and asbestos removal.  Helen has worked diligently behind the scenes to manage the school library, including restocking the stock after the rebuild in 2020.  For many years she organised our Scholastic Book Club; coordinated the school's Trivia Nights; coordinated the Lamont Book Fairs; managed book purchase, Premiers Reading Challenge and Book Week.  I want to thank Helen for her amazing contribution to all students and families at Mullum Primary School and wish her every happiness as she embarks on extended long service leave. (Marie)

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I have loved my time at Mullum Primary School the past eleven years. I started here in 2013, then worked at Montrose Primary for two years, then back to Mullum.  In this time there have been a lot of changes, new buildings, new kids, and staff.  I am leaving to study horticulture,  something I’m passionate about and I plan to work within this field.  I will miss working with everyone at this amazing supportive school. 

Ange Graffen 

 

Summer Slams Downball Competition

All Grade 4 students attended the inaugural Summer Slams Downball Competition run by Downball Australia on Tuesday this week.  Although downball is a simple handball game played in playgrounds the world over, this competition took things to a new level.  Staff came back from the event so proud of the integrity and fair play of our students, not to mention the amazing way they conducted themselves.  Here is some of the action for the day:

 

Uniform Reminders

As we move into the holidays and families are considering purchasing new school uniform items for 2025, please remember that students are encouraged to wear uniform compliant items.  There are a few non-uniform items appearing on students, including, leggings, bike shorts, skorts and multi-coloured shoes.  The school does have a good supply of second hand items that have been donated by families.  Please call into the office to see if we have your child's size available.  

 

10c Bottles, cans and juice boxes

Over the festive season we encourage our families to collect all those bottles, cans and juice boxes that attract a 10c refund. By recycling these items you will be amazed at how much more room you have in your bins at home. Over the course of this year we have raised nearly $350 towards the purchase of a new school BBQ.  Bring the bottles in over the next few weeks or after the holiday break.