From Marie

The term is flying by and with Cup Day behind us it feels like a slippery slope to Christmas. The school is a buzz with activity, outings and events.  Keep checking the Dates for Your Diary section to stay ahead of what is happening across the school. 

Hong Kong visitors

A very recent development is a visit tomorrow from around 30 teachers and principals from Hong Kong who are in Melbourne for a week long wellbeing conference.  The contingent are heading to Maroondah on Friday morning and visiting just one government primary school in their week, Mullum Primary School.  In their hour long visit we are planning to showcase a range of embedded practices across the school that all promote positive mental health including:

• The Arts
• Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden
• UR Strong
• Respectful Relationships
• Our nature play spaces
• Circle time 
• Mindfulness 
• Bush Talk

Back in 2029, we hosted another contingent of Hong Kong visitors, two of whom I caught up with last Saturday and they shared their very fond memories of their visit.  Here is a nostalgic photo of that visit:

Colour Run

Wow!  Did we have some fun.  Check out the designated page in this newsletter to see photos of all the action.  A huge thank you to our school community for getting behind this event and to our Grade 3-6 Junior School Councillors for their weeks of tireless effort.  

Swimming Week

Next week is swimming week and all students will be heading to Aquanation for daily lessons.  These lessons are heavily subsidised by the Department of Education swimming money, making it an affordable option for families.  Parents are welcome to attend the pool to watch the lessons, paying the pool entry fee as requested.  Parents are not permitted into the change rooms to help their child. Listed below are the times for the lessons, not including bus times:

Foundation S - 12:30 - 1:15pm

Foundation L - 12:30 - 1:15pm

Grade 1T - 11:45 - 12:30pm

Grade 1M - 11:45 - 12:30pm

Grade 2 K - 11:45 - 12:30pm

Grade 2R - 11:00 - 11:45am

Grade 3/4E - 11:00 - 11:45am

Grade 3/4M - 10:15 - 11:00am

Grade 3/4Y - 10:15 - 11:00am

Grade 5/6C - 9:30 - 10:15am

Grade 5/6B - 9:30 - 10:15am

Festival of Hidden Treasures is almost here

In only two weeks our Festival will be in full swing.  Check the designate page in the newsletter for more detailed information, here is a quick update:

• Donations continue to be received via the classroom or office and at this Friday's assembly we will draw a second lucky winner for a Rides Wristband, giving access to all the rides for the whole day.  
• On Friday 15 November, one paper plate, with instructions, will be sent to all families seeking donations of baked goods to sell at the produce stall.  
• We have 25 market stalls already booked, there is room for more so if you know family or friends who would like to join us on the day contact Deanne Lawn deanne.lawn@education.vic.gov.au
• Volunteering on stalls - click the link on your class and volunteer some time to help your child's class stall run smoothly
• Thank you to volunteers who delivered over 1000 flyers in the local area
• Don't forget to invite your friends and family to come along on the day and join in the fun

Transition sessions, preparation for 2025

Tomorrow, Friday 8 November, we welcome our 2025 Foundations students and their families in the first of their four transition sessions.  All other students will have two transition sessions, Friday 6 December and Tuesday 10 December.  All of these transition sessions are aimed at giving students an insight into the next grade level and an opportunity to meet their new classmates and teachers.  To prepare the new class groups for 2025, students will be invited to list the names of five other students they would like to be in class with.  Parents are also invited to provide input for class selection to support their child's social and emotional wellbeing by emailing marie.beale@education.vic.gov.au before Friday 15 November.

Somers Camp

Every second year, Grade 5/6 students are invited to attend the Department of Education Somers Camp.  Tomorrow, 8 November, is the closing date for expressions of interest to attend this camp in 2025.  There is always more interest expressed than the ten places we have available.  I will draw the names tomorrow lunchtime with the students and send forms home to the ten students who are selected to attend. 

Parents' Association Annual General Meeting 

On Monday 18 November at 7:00pm the newly formed Parents' Association will be running their Annual General Meeting.  All parents are invited to attend either in person, or online, and contribute to shaping the formation of the committee, brainstorm ideas for social events and fundraising activities in 2025.  Check out the designated page in this newsletter for more detail of what is happening.

Christmas Celebration - Tuesday 6 December

Bring along your picnic and join in the annual Christmas Celebration where all students will showcase their singing talent.  Mark Nunis is calling for parent volunteers to join the 'band' and entertain the crowds on the night.  If you are interested then come along at 5:00 for a rehearsal or contact Mark via email mark.nunis@education.vic.gov.au