Principal's Message

Welcome back to our MPHPS Newsletter

As we move through August, it’s incredible to think how close we are to the end of this term. We set goals and targets to begin the year and focused on our student and community standards with high expectations for all.  It is very clear to see the impact our SWPBS framework has had within our school and the support from our parents and carers in improving our attendance quite positively. It is with our most sincere thanks to you in our community for your encouragement and support.

We recently hosted 15 Principal class staff from the Whittlesea Network. We worked together on shared focus of improving attendance across our schools and MPHPS was the case study to be shared on this day. The feedback was exceptional with many schools praising our processes, student engagement and learning and school pride in our grounds and facilities. Sometimes we forget to appreciate all that we have and all that we have achieved. This feedback was incredibly heartwarming and deserves to be shared. 

A huge thank you to our Learning Specialist Ebony Ritchie and Elena Raptis for their magnificent leadership in facilitating our recent Curriculum Day. The focus for staff looked at supporting literacy and language as we implement Phonics plus, spelling and word study. This professional learning supports the Department of Education expectations and provided us with the opportunity to continue updating our skills and knowledge in this area. I truly commend the ladies on their preparation, organisation and drive. 

As we begin to plan for 2027, we are starting to confirm numbers within year levels and are more able to accurately plan for staffing. If you have not yet confirmed your Foundation sibling for 2027, this is a must as we are finalizing our enrolments in this year level to plan for transition in term 4. If you are moving to a new location in 2027, we also need to be aware of this so that we know the availability we may have to potential new enrolments next year. Student numbers affect staffing numbers and the balance of both is important. 

While I highlight change, I also write to inform our community that the Regional Director has accepted my letter informing the Department that I will be retiring from the Education Department at the end of January 2027. It is with mixed emotions that I have made this decision, but I know this is the new chapter coming into my life. I have given 38 years of service to students and families in the Northern suburbs, focused closely on the City of Whittlesea. I have spent 19 of these years in Principal Class and have acted with the utmost of compassion and integrity within my role. I have taken this privilege and responsibility with great pride and now look forward to handing over this role to a new Principal for 2027. This process to appoint a new substantive Principal will begin at the end of this term. 

See you in a fortnight

Chris, Mel & Kate