PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

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. 

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome to Week 6!

I hope you have made the time to enjoy some sunshine in the past fortnight. A reminder to parents that despite the weather we remain SunSmart and students are required to wear their hats outside for this term. If the temperature hits extreme heat, we enact a hot weather timetable, and students are asked to stay indoors to remain cool.

SCHOOL COUNCIL 2026

The first School Council meeting for the year was held on Wednesday 4th March at 6.00pm in the school staff room which was a productive and positive start to 2026. We were pleased to warmly welcome several new parent members to the council and thank them for volunteering their time to support our school community. Their enthusiasm and fresh perspectives will be a valuable addition as we work collaboratively to support the ongoing growth and success of the school.

During the meeting, council members began discussing and shaping key priorities and goals for the 2026 academic year. Conversations focused on strengthening student learning outcomes, continuing to build a positive and inclusive school culture, and supporting initiatives that benefit students and families. It was encouraging to see such strong engagement from council members as we begin the important work of planning for another successful year ahead.

A message from our School Council President Sean Abell

 Congratulations to our 2026 School Council President – Sean Abell

Thank you, it is an honor to be re-elected School Council President for 2026, alongside Vice-President Laura Bos, newly appointed Treasurer Laurie Brown, Secretary Mim Rizzo, Noxia, Ian, and our enthusiastic volunteer parents & MPS staff who all contribute their unique experience and perspectives.

Speaking of experience, can you tell us briefly about yours?

My wife Natalie and I began our association with MPS three years ago when Flynn started Foundation in 2023, the same year I joined School Council firstly as P&F Liaison, then Vice President in 2024, stepping into the President role last year. My professional experience includes retail leadership roles within Bunnings, Specsavers, Baby Bunting & Flight Centre, plus family-focused businesses from Melbourne Zoo to even Disney! Currently, I coordinate Retail Operations for Nike & Samsung stores across ANZ.

What makes Moorabbin Primary School so special to you?

MPS teachers & staff have always been so supportive & inclusive, they live and breathe the TERRIFIC values, and focus not just on building core academic foundations, but supporting children’s social & emotional wellbeing. The significant infrastructure investment over the past few years has also resulted in impressive new facilities improving the learning & recreation environments for every student. Most importantly, is our caring, passionate and diverse MPS community, so many of which kindly volunteer their time through P&F, sports, fundraising, working bees, classroom helpers, camps, excursions.

What exactly does the School Council do?

School Council helps shape the broad strategic direction and vision for the school and provides oversight of the school’s financial performance. We meet at least twice per term to discuss and act on items across safety & wellbeing, financial, strategic plans, community engagement, policies, buildings & maintenance. Decisions are always considered with every student’s best interest as the primary focus.

What are some of the School Council’s priorities for the year ahead?

MPS has gradually grown to 560 students, and whilst government grants delivered the incredible new gymnasium and senior school building, there are many other items which fall onto the school to fully fund. Following on from last year’s new playground and basketball court resurfacing, School Council is actively pursuing several projects to further improve the grounds for all students to enjoy. Thanks to P&F fundraising efforts and voluntary financial contributions, we are starting this term with upgrades to play areas near the art building, and a significant project to revitalise gardens across the school.

Where can I find out more?

I encourage all MPS family and friends to get involved to positively impact your children’s journey at Moorabbin Primary School. Further information about the school’s current strategic and annual plan can be found here. School Council always welcome any questions, feedback & ideas for discussion, please reach out via email sean.abell@education.vic.gov.au or grab me for a chat around the school grounds before or after school pickup – looking forward to working together towards another exciting year at MPS!

WORKING BEE

Our first event will be a working bee to held on Saturday 21st March from 2pm-5pm we look forward to seeing as many parents as possible attend and get stuck into the front gardens and beautifying the grounds now that all of our building works have been completed. Please look out for a compass message seeking for volunteers.

NAPLAN

While we have completed our early entry tests and data collection, we now prepare for the Year 3 and Year 5 Naplan. The testing process will begin on Wednesday 11th March and will conclude on Monday 23rd March. We wish all of our Year 3 and 5 students the very best as they share their learning and knowledge during this process. 

Naplan is a measure of a point in time and is an adaptive test. Students begin with the same test question however their following questions are then tailored based on the previous responses. This allows students to respond to answers at their level and hopefully alleviates any angst.  Don’t hesitate to talk with your child’s teacher if you have any Naplan questions.

Here is the proposed schedule for the testing days.

GOODBYE TO MS ZOE LOUDON

Ms Loudon will be finishing her time at Moorabbin Primary School on Friday 13th March as she takes up an exciting consulting role within an independent educational setting. Throughout her time at MPS, Ms Loudon has demonstrated exceptional dedication to supporting students, particularly through her work in the intervention space. Her deep understanding of student learning needs, combined with her patience, care and expertise, has enabled many students to build confidence and make significant progress. She has always approached her work with compassion and professionalism, ensuring that every child she supported felt valued, capable and encouraged to achieve their best.

Beyond her work with students, Ms Loudon has been an incredible support to staff and a valued member of the broader school community. She has generously shared her knowledge, collaborated closely with colleagues and consistently contributed to building a positive and supportive culture across the school. Her commitment, warmth and unwavering focus on student success have left a lasting impact on MPS. While we are excited for her as she embarks on this new professional opportunity, she will be greatly missed by staff, students and families alike. 

We thank Ms Loudon for her outstanding contribution to our school and wish her every success in this next chapter.

On Sunday 8 March 2026, the annual celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD) will acknowledge the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women across the globe.

This year’s theme, ‘Balance the scales’, highlights the need to ensure girls and women are safe, treated with respect, and have access to opportunities, regardless of background and identity.

International Women’s Day provides a wonderful opportunity for our school community to recognise and celebrate the achievements, strength and contributions of women. At Moorabbin Primary School, we are incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by outstanding women who lead, inspire and support others every day. From the classroom to the office, across leadership roles and throughout our parent community, the women in our school demonstrate dedication, compassion and professionalism that make a lasting difference to the lives of our students.

We are proud to acknowledge the many women in our staff and wider community who model resilience, kindness and leadership for our students. Their commitment to education, wellbeing and community helps shape a positive and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. On International Women’s Day, we take a moment to celebrate their achievements and thank them for the invaluable role they play in making our school such a strong and supportive place for learning. 🌸✨

SWIMMING FOR YEAR 2,3 AND YEAR 4 STUDENTS CONCLUDED YESTERDAY

Our year 2/3/4 swimming program has recently concluded, providing students with a valuable opportunity to develop their water safety skills, confidence and swimming ability. We would like to thank our staff for their organisation and support throughout the program, as well as our parents and carers who helped ensure students were prepared each day. 

Programs like these are an important part of our curriculum and help equip students with essential life skills. We are now looking forward to our Foundation and Year 1 students beginning their swimming program next week and continuing this important learning experience. 🏊‍♀️

Our school continues to prioritise sun safety, and students are given time during the day to apply sunscreen, particularly before outdoor play and activities. While sunscreen is available at school, we encourage families to support this by providing their child with their own roll-on sunscreen if they have any known sensitivities or allergies to generic brands. 

Students are welcome to keep this in their bag or classroom and apply it at the appropriate times during the school day to ensure they are protected while enjoying time outdoors. ☀️

SOME IMPORTANT DATES FOR OUR COMMUNITY

WEEK 7

March 9- labour day holiday- no students onsite

March 10- Swimming F/yr1

March 11- Swimming F/yr1 NAPLAN

March 12- Swimming F/yr1 NAPLAN

March 13- Swimming F/yr1 NAPLAN

March 14- Working Bee 2-5pm

WEEK 8- NEURODIVERSITY WEEK

March 16- Swimming F/Yr1 NAPLAN

March 17- Swimming F/Yr1 NAPLAN St Patricks day (dress up optional)

March 18- Swimming F/Yr1 -NAPLAN- Parent workshop 2 with Mr Leeden 9.15-10.15am- Year 6 CERES excursion

March 19- Swimming F/Yr1 NAPLAN- I see I care workshop for enviro leaders

March 20- NAPLAN- Harmony (day dress up in orange/pink/ gold coin Silent disco)

WEEK 9

March 23- School, Photos- Foundation Fire Brigade incursion

March 24- possible strike day more information to come 

March 25- Year 5 Lego land excursion

March 26- Year 3-6 HOUSE ATHLETICS DAY- Bricker Reserve

March 27-

WEEK 10 

March 30-Year 5 Courage to care incursion- Foundation Fire Brigade incursion

March 31- Year 4 Incursion code masters in Gym- Parent workshop 3 with Mr Crane and Mrs Angelides

April 1-

April 2-Easter Bonnet parade- last day of term 1 finish at 2.30pm

April 3-Good Friday- PUBLIC HOLIDAY- no students onsite

Don’t forget Monday 9th March is a Public Holiday, and this gives you all a 3-day weekend. I hope you get to enjoy it with people who make you smile.

Have a great fortnight.

Noxia Angelides

Principal