PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Acknowledgement of Country

Milgate Primary School would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land of the Wurundjeri People and we would like to pay our respects to the elders both past and present. Staff, students and the school community understand that we thrive, learn and live on Wurundjeri Country and we stand with all cultures united as one.

PLAYGROUND UPDATE

We are excited to announce that the funds raised by the P&F Committee and from last year's Fun Run will be going towards upgrading the Year 1&2 ‘Rainbow Equipment’. We received three proposals for new equipment, which we took to the Year 1 and 2 students to vote on. They voted unanimously for the Adventure+ proposal, which will be installed in the July school holidays. Special thanks to all who donated to students in last year’s Fun Run to and to the P&F Committee for making this possible. 

PLANNING WEEK

This week was Planning Week for teachers. Each year level spent half a day together, looking at the curriculum and learning program. While they planned, the specialist teachers provided the learning for the students. In addition to planning days, all teachers have collaborative planning after school each week so they can plan the weekly curriculum in more detail, review assessment data, discuss the student learning needs and cater for all levels of learning. 

CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA DAY

Term 1 Working Bee - MONDAY 26TH FEBRUARY

Clean Up Australia Day is Sunday 3rd March. At Milgate Primary, we want to mark this event on Monday 26th February and contribute by cleaning up and beautify spaces around the school. Each class will be allocated an area of the school to spend some time cleaning up and improving throughout the day.

We will also be holding the Term 1 Working Bee on this day. We would love to see as many parents as possible assisting between 2:45-4:00pm. Please bring a broom, secateurs, shovel, gloves and/or a wheelbarrow with you. As schools are not allocated specific funding for grounds maintenance, we rely on the generous support of the school community to help maintain our grounds. It would be impossible to maintain them without your assistance. Thank you for your support and we hope to see as many parents, children, family and friends as possible. 

LOCKDOWN AND EVACUATION DRILLS

This week we had our first whole school practice of the lockdown and evacuation procedures. All staff, students and visitors who were on site did an excellent job of taking on their responsibilities and following all the procedures to make sure we all stay safe in these situations. We do lockdown and evacuation drills several times throughout the year to ensure that we have all the necessary procedures in place. Please speak to your children about the drills and their importance in knowing what to do in an emergency. 

Parent Information Sharing | Getting to Know You Sessions

Y1 - Y6 Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 February 2:30 to 5:00pm

These sessions are an opportunity for parents to meet their child’s teacher and talk to them about their child - special interests, learning, and anything else that is relevant for the teacher to know. Each session is 10 minutes in duration and times are available between 2:30 and 4:50pm.  

Bookings are open now on Compass above the News Feed (on a web browser) or as an alert (on your Compass app home screen). 

When booking, you will be able to indicate if you would like the interview to be face to face or online. If you have chosen an online meeting, the Classroom Teacher will send you the link one day prior to the interviews. Compass will walk you through the booking process but if you have any questions or issues, please contact our school office during office hours on 9842 7744.

ENVIRONMENTAL TEAM

Hello from the Environmental team.

We have two winners from this week’s trash free Tuesday - FLP and 4KT have both had the lowest number of trash for week 3 with 9 pieces each.  They will receive our environmental mascot Ernie the earth for doing a great job at bringing the least amount of trash this week. Good luck to all classes for the upcoming week.

UNLOCKING POTENTIAL: The Power of a Growth Mindset in Mathematics

In the world of education, one concept has been gaining significant traction for its transformative impact on learning: the growth mindset. Coined by psychologist Carol Dweck, this idea revolves around the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work, rather than being fixed traits.

Nowhere is the application of the growth mindset more profound than in the realm of mathematics. Often seen as a daunting subject, mathematics has the potential to unlock countless opportunities for personal and professional growth. However, the fear of failure and the misconception of innate talent can be significant barriers to success in this field.

Enter Jo Boaler, a renowned mathematics educator and Stanford University professor, whose work has been instrumental in promoting a growth mindset in mathematics. Boaler emphasises that everyone can learn and excel in mathematics given the right support and mindset.

Boaler's research challenges the traditional notion that some students are simply "math people" while others are not. In her book, "Mathematical Mindsets," she explores how brain science and learning theory intersect to debunk the myth of innate mathematical ability. Boaler argues that by fostering a growth mindset, educators can empower students to embrace challenges, persevere through difficulties, and ultimately thrive in mathematics.

So, what does a growth mindset look like in the context of mathematics? It starts with reframing mistakes and setbacks as opportunities for learning and growth rather than indicators of incompetence. Boaler advocates for classrooms that prioritise deep conceptual understanding over rote memorisation, where students engage in collaborative problem-solving and exploration.

Moreover, Boaler emphasises the importance of creating a supportive learning environment where students feel comfortable taking risks and making mistakes. By celebrating effort and progress rather than just final outcomes, educators can cultivate a culture of resilience and perseverance in their mathematics classrooms.

Boaler's work has inspired educators worldwide to rethink their approach to teaching mathematics and to cultivate a growth mindset among their students. Through innovative teaching strategies, such as visual representations, open-ended tasks, and real-world applications, educators can instil a sense of curiosity and confidence in their students, leading to improved performance and engagement in mathematics.

As we continue to navigate the complexities of education, let us remember the transformative power of a growth mindset in mathematics. By embracing challenges, persisting through difficulties, and fostering a love for learning, we can unlock the potential within every student, propelling them towards success in mathematics and beyond.