Principal’s Report

Dear Parents and Carers,

We are over halfway through the term already and we still have many things occurring before the end of term. I encourage you to please keep up to date by using Compass for upcoming events and important dates.

Between now and the end of the year, we will be working towards finalising our structure for 2026 including class lists and staff placement. This information will be released in the final newsletter for 2025.

A fortnight ago, we joined schools across the country in celebrating World Teachers’ Day- a day to recognise and thank our wonderful teachers for the passion, care and dedication they bring to their work each and every day.

This year’s theme, “Recasting teaching as a collaborative profession,” perfectly reflects the spirit of our school. At Merri-bek Primary, our teachers embody our core values of Respect, Resilience and Responsibility, in all that they do. They work together to create a supportive, inclusive and inspiring environment where every student is valued and encouraged to reach their potential.

We see daily examples of our teachers going above and beyond – designing engaging and challenging learning experiences, building meaningful relationships and fostering a strong sense of belonging in every classroom. Their collaboration and commitment makes Merri-bek a vibrant learning community. Happy World Teachers’ Day!

Student learning is at the heart of our mission here at Merri-bek Primary School. This past month, we have seen remarkable enthusiasm and engagement as our students explore new concepts and deepen their understanding across various subjects. From collaborative group projects to publishing written work, students are actively participating in their education and developing critical thinking skills. Our dedicated staff are employing diverse instructional strategies to cater to different learning styles, ensuring that each student receives the support they need to thrive. We encourage parents and carers to engage in conversations about their children’s learning experiences at school, as this partnership plays a vital role in fostering a love for learning and academic success. Together, we are building a foundation for lifelong learners- ‘Together we thrive’

Prep transition 2026

Starting school is a huge milestone for both the student and their parents.

We have now run our third session for students joining us in Prep for 2026. The transition sessions provided an opportunity for the incoming students to see our school, experience the specialist classes and meet some of the staff. It was lovely to have PNC hold a special coffee morning for our upcoming families and have Sean Gan (School Council President) and Raoul Woods (School Council Vice President) attend and meet families.

Next week we will have our final transition session where the students will participate in different activities and get to know our school.

Hats during Term 4

This is a gentle reminder that hats are required to be worn at all times when student are outdoors. School Sunsmart hats can be purchased from PSW or a broad rim and legionnaire hat of any colour is acceptable.

Remembrance Day

On Monday 11th November, Remembrance Day, we paused for a minute’s silence to remember people’s service and sacrifice

Remembrance Day in Australia is observed on November the 11th to commemorate all Australians who have died or suffered in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. It marks the end of World War 1, occurring at 11am on November 11th, 1918. Australians are encouraged to pause for one minute of silence at 11am to honour and reflect on the service and sacrifice of those who have served. At Merri-bek PS our school leaders led a small service over the PA system, prior to 11am with students pausing for one minute of silence to show their respect.

Tutor Learning Initiative

This initiative, which commenced in 2021 will continue into 2026 and we are very pleased to be able to continue to provide targeted support for our students. Further information regarding which students will be involved will communicated with parents early next year.

Plans for 2026

Please inform us as soon as possible if your child/ren will not be at Merri-bek Primary School in 2026, as this will help assist us in our planning.

Supervision Before and After school

Please note that supervision for students before school commences at 8:45am and after school until 3:45pm. Staff are not on duty beyond these times. Please do not drop off your child before this time or leave them waiting after school beyond this time as they will not be supervised.

We have noticed that quite a few students are being picked up after 3:45pm. Please ensure that you are on time to pick up your child. We do not provide a service to look after students once school has finished, however we have an out of school hours care provider, TheirCare, who provide this service for us. Information can be collected from the school office.

We are so pleased that you are a part of our school community and thank you for choosing Merri-bek Primary School. We look forward to working together positively, so that we can provide the best learning environment and supports for your child.

Maria Giordano

Principal

Merri-bek Mail

Issue 8 · 21 Nov 2025

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