We, at Miners Rest Primary School, would like to acknowledge the Wadawurrung people of the Kulin Nation.

We pay our respects and thank the Wadawurrung people.

May we share your land. We promise to look after it, as well as the animals and people too.

Welcome back!

It is with great excitement that we welcome all of our students and families back to school for 2025. We hope that all of our families have had a relaxing and enjoyable holiday and that you are as ready for school to start as the staff are.

A very special welcome to our students and families that are joining Miners Rest K-6 for the first time this year - we look forward to building positive partnerships with you to maximise the support and engagement of your child/ren at our kindergarten and school. Lots to look forward to throughout the year, with many opportunities for the school community to engage with us each term.

Staffing

We welcome a number of new staff joining the MRK-6 in 2025…

Kristie Hunt - Year 5/6 Teacher in S4

Meredith Mayes - Foundation Teacher and PLC Leader in D4

Hannah Shepperson - Education Support Staff

Kat Willmott - Co-educator at the Kindergarten

Angela Brown - Co-educator at the Kindergarten

Rebekah Kennett - Early Childhood Teacher at the Kindergarten

Congratulations

Speaking about new members to the team, we also proudly and excitedly congratulate Megan Polson, her husband, Luke and son Willoughby on the arrival of baby Clementine Margot Ann Polson on December 24. The family are all doing well, and we are looking forward to meeting baby Clementine later in the term.

Assessments

We thank our families for taking the time to book in and attend a very important assessment session at school prior to returning to school next Monday. These assessments allow our teachers to spend some time with individual children, allow for children to see their 2025 learning environment and provide each teacher with vital information to support learning at the specific need of each child, in literacy and/or numeracy.

Assembly

On Friday afternoon, February 7 we will host our Badge Presentation Ceremony for our 2025 School Leaders. The assembly will commence at 2:30pm. We warmly invite all families to this important occasion. Please note that Junior School Councillors will be presented with their badges once the election process has taken place for these leadership positions.

Smoking Ceremony

A Smoking Ceremony has been planned to be held to start the school year on Monday February 3 at 9:15 am. The purpose of this special ceremony is to acknowledge First Nations People and the traditional custodians of the land on which our school stands, the Wathaurong People of the Kulin Nation. The Smoking Ceremony also assists in the cleansing of the area and the people, promoting the protection and the wellbeing of our school community and visitors, and welcoming a new year of learning and connection for all. We would love our school community to join us for this significant event. We are watching the weather at this stage and we will communicate with families as soon as possible as to whether the warm days ahead will impact the going ahead of the Smoking Ceremony.

Hats

Just a reminder to all of our families that the Department of Education requires school staff and students to wear a broad-brimmed hat from September 1 until April 30. We ask that you support your child to bring a named broad-brimmed hat from Monday, February 3. Children without an appropriate school hat from Wednesday, February 5 will need to play in a designated, shaded space in the playground. We thank you for your support in ensuring your child is sun safe at school.

Homework Policy

The Miners Rest Primary School Homework Policy will be available via the school website from Monday February 3, and is also available in hard copy at the School Administration Office.

Calendar of Events

Please take the time to review the calendar of events in each newsletter – this space will be updated throughout the term to reflect opportunities for community engagement, special events that your child may be experiencing at school, curriculum days etc. Involving our community in our school is a priority for 2025 – keep your eyes out for the many opportunities we will offer.

What’s coming up?

Stay tuned for more information on…

Connect-Ed

Volunteer Induction Session

Term One Learning Celebration

Athletics Day

Student Led Conferences

I am thoroughly looking forward to the year ahead!

Kylie Nissen

School News