Leadership Report
Assistant Principal’s Report
Hello wonderful Merri-bek families,
Maths is a statewide focus for the Department of Education and at Merri-bek PS we are evaluating our practices and engaging in continuous learning so we can support all students as Math learners to grow and thrive.
On Monday Merri-bek staff were lucky enough to engage in a Curriculum Day with Emeritus Professor from Monash University; Peter Sullivan.
The curriculum day was a wonderful opportunity to experience professional learning with educators from 2 other schools.
Peter led us to explore Maths that was student centred, engaging, encouraged transfer, deep thinking, productive struggle/challenge, was able to support all learners and invited student agency.
We will be continuing this learning as a staff to collaboratively develop a school vision around Maths and apply what we have learnt from Peter Sullivan and our curriculum day.
A question to explore at home…. (Yrs 2-6)
*Discuss your answers together, explain your thinking.
*What was the same/different about how you worked it out?
Bianca Hudson
Assistant Principal
Michelle Carland - Engagement,Wellbeing and Inclusion Leader
Wellbeing day
Friday 26th of April was Wellbeing day for the whole school. On the day, everyone got to come school in free dress to express their personality, and got to do a range of activities including mindfulness activities to increase calmness and wellbeing skills, open streets for fun and fitness and a talent show for students to show talent and express their creativity.
We interviewed a range of students to get their feedback on the day….
Question 1: Why do you think students need Wellbeing Day?
Prep - August “So students can have fun”
1/2 - Poppy “To have fun and help with wellbeing”
3/4 - Stevie “To have a relaxing day”
5/ 6 - Saxe “ A break from schoolwork”
Question 2: What was your favourite part about Wellbeing Day?
Prep- August “The talent show because I did gymnastics”
1/2 - Poppy “ Having fun with my friends”
3/4 - Stevie “Mindfulness Drawing”
5/6 - Saxe “ The Maltesers and the Talent Show”
Thanks to Michelle for organising an awesome day, the School Captains, Vice Captains and Costa for running an awesome Talent Show.
Sincerely,
Daniel and Orla your School Captains.
Numeracy Update from Learning Specialist
The staff at Merri-bek Primary School were thrilled to have attended a professional development session led by the renowned maths guru, Peter Sullivan on Monday 29th of April at Coburg West Primary School.
Peter Sullivan is a highly respected educator and researcher in the field of mathematics education, known for his extensive experience and expertise in developing effective teaching strategies that promote student learning and engagement.
His innovative and engaging lessons have inspired our teachers, and we are eager to incorporate his strategies into our teaching and learning program. The practical insights and techniques shared by Peter Sullivan have energised our team, and we look forward to implementing these new approaches to enhance student learning and foster a deeper understanding of mathematics through the foundation to year six curriculum.
Open Streets
Last Term, Merri-bek City Council ran a drawing competition for students at Merri-bek to draw and express how Open Streets is captured at our school. The drawings and designs were amazing! Merri-bek City Council couldn’t choose one winner, so they merged a number of drawings (some without names) to create one banner that will be printed and hung outside our school gate.
Open Streets has been a real success since beginning last year, and I would like to thank all our volunteers for giving up their time to ensure this community event is a success.
- Sal Mcleay, Katy Ingram, Andrew Barker, Anna Cook, Jake Phelan, Marian Turner, Mariko Oya, Beth Angus & Imogen Trevaskis
Joseph Hess
Acting Maths Learning Special
Open Streets dates for the remainder of the year
- Friday May 31st
- Friday June 28th (Last day of Term 2 - time TBC)
- Friday July 26th
- Friday August 30th
- Friday October 25th
- Friday November 29th
- Friday December 20th (Last day of Term 4 - TBC)
Costa Missailidis
Community and Engagement Leader