From the Principal's Desk

What is National Reconciliation Week?

This week marked an important week for our First Nation's people and also all Australians as we enter into Reconciliation week.

The dates for NRW remain the same each year; 27 May to 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.

We all have a role to play when it comes to reconciliation, and in playing our part we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures, and futures.

The National Reconciliation Week (NRW) 2025 theme, Bridging Now to Next, reflects the ongoing connection between past, present and future.

Bridging Now to Next calls on all Australians to step forward together, to look ahead and continue the push forward as past lessons guide us.

In the #NRW2025 theme artwork created by Kalkadoon woman Bree Buttenshaw, native plants − which are known for regenerating after fire and thriving through adversity − symbolise our collective strength and the possibilities of renewal. This is a time for growth, reflection, and commitment to walking together.

As a school, we reflected with our students via stories and books on the meaning and history of this week and why it is important to ensure that at the very least, all students are aware of this in context and to further improve their understanding. 

National Simultaneous Story Time 2025

This week we participated in the National Simultaneous Story Time as a school and joined the millions of other participants and schools across Australia who read the book 'The Truck Cat' at exactly the same time in all classrooms.

The book is a beautiful picture story book that centres around family, home and the importance of relationships and connections whether that's with humans or our beloved pets. The students thoroughly enjoyed the book but also the knowledge that children across Australia were sharing in the experience at the same time.

Education Week

Last week we also celebrated education week along with many other schools across our state with the theme 'Celebration of Cultures' and is captured in my . All children deserve a place to learn and thrive in. This year’s theme Celebration of Cultures highlights the diversity of our communities and the importance of every child feeling safe and welcome at school.

Celebrating our diversity as a community and school is so important for all children to not only learn about others, but to share their own cultures and family histories in any way they can. I truly believe that the more you learn and know where others are coming from, both physically and culturally, we will continue to build a more tolerant society and community. 

Some of the questions and sharing points were shared with our students last week and are captured below-

The week ended with our open classrooms on Friday with many families joining us and sharing in an activity with their child in their classrooms. Thank you to the many families who attended and stayed for our school assembly run by our student leaders.

Assessment and Reporting

Teachers are currently working completing their ongoing assessments and moderating of work as we head towards the end of a report writing term. As a school we are always reviewing and revising our practices, including how we pass on and present your child's assessments in the form of their semester reports.

In summary schools are required to do the following as a minimum:

• Schools are required to formally report student achievement and progress to parents/carers at least twice per school year for each student enrolled at the school.
• The report must be a written report (print or digital), be in an accessible form and be easy for parents/carers to understand.
• Schools must report directly against the Victorian Curriculum F–10 achievement standards.
• Both student achievement and progress must be included in the report. This means that for each curriculum area taught, the report includes:
  • a teacher judgement(s)
  • an indication of progress since the curriculum area was last reported on
  • a five-point scale.
• Opportunities must be provided for parents/carers and students to discuss the school report with teachers and/or school leaders.

As a school we have adopted the new Victorian Curriculum with rigour in both English and Maths. There is a change to the way Maths is now reported to parents with a single progression point assessed and we will send out a letter detailing the changes so that all families are aware of this change shortly. 

Parent Teacher Interviews are scheduled to occur early in Term 3, on Tuesday August 5th and will begin at 2pm and run into the evening to cater for working families. More information will come out early in Term 3 around how to book your time with your child's teacher to chat about their progress. 

Zoe's Fight- Go Grey in May

Moriac PS selected today- Friday 30th May as the Go Grey in May day to raise awareness for Zoe's Fight Foundation who are fighting for an end to Paediatric Brain Cancer by wearing a touch of grey and supporting the cause with a gold coin donation!

This cause is very dear to the hearts of the Moriac community and one which we will continue to promote and raise awareness of. Thank you for sending your child to school with a touch of grey and a gold coin to support this cause. We appreciate your ongoing support.

After a quick count this morning it appears we have raised $245 for the cause! Thank you for supporting this important cause.

For further information on this very important cause please visit this link: https://www.zoesfight.com.au/

Have a wonderful weekend,

Mel