Merbein P-10 College Newsletter

Principal

Mr Chris Grimmer

Cafeteria & Breakfast Club Closed

A reminder, as per our recent Compass post, that on the last two days of this term, Thursday 14th and Friday 15th September, Breakfast Club and the Cafeteria will not be operating.  This is to enable staff to move the cafeteria equipment to a temporary setting, in readiness for the demolition work in Term 4.  Please ensure your child brings their own snacks and lunch on these days and has breakfast before coming along to school.  Thanks for your co-operation during this time.

 

Building Update

Since our last major newsletter there has been a lot of work completed on Stage 2 of our building project. I have included a number of photos below which show the work that has been completed so far on Stage 2

  • All sheeting completed
  • Painting almost all completed
  • Split systems installed – some still to be fitted off
  • Concrete paths poured between Science & Main Building
  • Lighting & electrical work done
  • Sink & boiling water unit fitted in staffroom
  • Acoustic board fitted to ceilings
  • Window trims completed
  • Flooring started in Art Room
  • Joinery fitted in staffroom, FLO office and staff resource space

 

   

           

 

2023 Parent/Caregiver/Guardian Opinion Survey - Closes Tomorrow September 8th

Our school is conducting a survey to find out what parents / caregivers / guardians think of our school. The Parent / Caregiver / 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 behavior, and student engagement. The survey is optional but we encourage all families to participate. Our school will use the survey results to help inform and direct future school planning and improvement strategies. All families have been invited to participate in the survey by email, so please look for a message from the school email address - it is not spam. The email contains a direct link to the survey and a PIN number for families to access the survey for our school.

 

The Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey opened on Monday 7 August and closes on Friday 8 September 2023.

 

The survey will be conducted online, only takes 20 minutes to complete, and can be accessed at any convenient time within the survey period on desktop computers, laptops, tablets or smartphones. The online survey will be available in English and 10 other languages including Arabic, Greek, Hakha Chin, Hindi, Japanese, Punjabi, Simplified Chinese, Somali, Turkish, and Vietnamese.

 

School Review Information for Families

Throughout Term 4 2023 we will be undertaking our four yearly whole school review. This will enable us to look at what has been achieved over the last four years and then establish a new strategic plan for the coming four-year period that will enable us to continue our focus on improving student learning and wellbeing outcomes, as well as building staff knowledge and capacity.

 

In week one of term, we held our pre-review meeting with Branko Lukic, our reviewer, and Andrew Ough (Senior Education Improvement Leader - SEIL). We have undertaken the process of completing our pre-review self-assessment, with all staff working together in small groups to determine where they think we sit as a school against the 5 core elements of FISO 2.0. (below)

  • Leadership - The strategic direction and deployment of resources to create and reflect shared goals and values; high expectations; and a positive, safe and orderly learning environment
    Shared development of a culture of respect and collaboration with positive and supportive relationships between students and staff at the core. 
  • Teaching & Learning - Documented teaching and learning program based on the Victorian Curriculum and senior secondary pathways, incorporating extra-curricula programs
    Use of common and subject-specific high impact teaching and learning strategies as part of a shared and responsive teaching and learning model implemented through positive and supportive student-staff relationships.
  • Assessment - Systematic use of data and evidence to drive the prioritisation, development, and implementation of actions in schools and classrooms.
    Systematic use of assessment strategies and measurement practices to obtain and provide feedback on student learning growth, attainment and wellbeing capabilities. 
  • Engagement - Strong relationships and active partnerships between schools and families/carers, communities, and organisations to strengthen students’ participation and  engagement in school.
    Activation of student voice and agency, including in leadership and learning, to strengthen students’ participation and engagement in school.
  • Support & resources- Responsive, tiered and contextualised approaches and strong relationships to support student learning, wellbeing and inclusion
    Effective use of resources and active partnerships with families/carers, specialist providers and community organisations to provide responsive support to students. 

 

These 5 elements are ranked as either emerging, evolving, embedding or excelling and form the basis of our school review.

 

The following dates have been set for the school review process:

  • Validation Day Mon 9th October 
  • Fieldwork Days : Tues/Wed 24th & 25th October (classroom observations, staff/student/parent focus groups
  • Final Review Day: Friday 3rd Nov - 

Reminder - Student Free Day Monday October 2nd

Monday 2nd October will be a school council approved student free day.  Much of this day will be spent moving out of the current main building and into the temporary new spaces prior to demolition.  Early in Term 4 the remaining old section of the main building will be decommissioned and then demolished in readiness for Stage 3 of the building project to get underway.

No students will attend school on this day.

The Importance of Sleep

While we know sleep is essential for good health, research shows that many children and young people are not getting enough sleep on school nights. This can affect thinking, concentration, memory, reaction times and mood.

Research shows about 12% of primary school-aged children, a quarter of 12- to 15-year-olds and half of 16- to 17-year-olds don’t get enough sleep on school nights. The recommended amount of time to sleep for primary school-aged children is 9 to 11 hours. For teenagers, it’s 8 to 10 hours.

Signs that your child is not getting enough sleep can include:

  • low mood and irritability during social interactions
  • reluctance or arguing about getting off devices and going to bed
  • falling asleep during the day
  • difficulties waking up for school and sleeping in late on weekends to catch up
  • changes to communicating or interacting at home.

You can help your child to improve their sleep by:

  • establishing a regular sleep pattern and consistent bedtime routine
  • supporting them to avoid using electronic devices such as smartphones before going to bed and in bed
  • encouraging your child to exercise and spend time outside in daylight, steering clear of vigorous activity in the hour before sleep
  • encouraging them to wind down and relax before going to bed.

If your child is still having trouble sleeping, has persistent problems with low mood, excessive daytime sleepiness, restlessness in bed, severe snoring or wakening unrefreshed, despite getting adequate length sleep, they should see a doctor. 

For more information on sleep health, you can refer to: