Thank You

As we come to the end of the year, I want to say a heartfelt thank you to our whole school community for what has been an amazing year. We have celebrated so many accomplishments and shared so many moments of pride, and it has been a privilege to see our students thrive across learning, sport, wellbeing and community life.

In sport, we had an outstanding year. Our girls’ softball team competed at the state level, and our girls’ tennis team reached the regional level, narrowly missing the opportunity to progress to state. We also enjoyed some terrific team success, winning the boys’ futsal tournament and taking out the mountain bike orienteering event. These achievements reflect not only talent and determination, but also the teamwork, sportsmanship and resilience our students show when representing our school.

In teaching and learning, we were thrilled to see our efforts recognised in this year’s School Performance Report, with our Learning performance group moving from Medium to High. I would like to sincerely thank all of our staff for their hard work and dedication that has contributed to this improved performance result. We also congratulate Anthony Bortolot and Kirstie Hall on completing the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Learning’s Teaching Excellence Program. Their commitment to professional growth strengthens teaching practice across our school and directly benefits students in the classroom.

Wellbeing has been a major focus this year, and we are proud of the progress made through our first year in the Mental Health in Primary Schools initiative. Susan Erwin introduced a number of exciting developments, including building upon our Wellbeing Space, implementing a platform for regular student check-ins, and successfully applying for a $20,000 grant to support Equine Learning. This program enabled a number of students to participate in targeted support to strengthen attendance and wellbeing, and we are pleased to announce we have also received a $120,000 grant for 2026 to continue this program. I would also like to recognise Karren Baker, who has worked incredibly hard alongside staff and families to strengthen our Disability Inclusion processes and ensure students are receiving the adjustments they need.

Finally, our school calendar was filled with wonderful community events, including the Writer’s Festival and Winter Solstice celebrations. Our biggest event of the year was, of course, our 150th Anniversary celebrations. It was an amazing opportunity to celebrate our school’s rich history, and it was incredibly special to welcome past students and families back to the school, including people who had not walked through our gates for 50 years or more, and to hear what Macedon Primary School has meant to them across generations.

To all of our parents and carers, thank you for the contribution you have made this year—whether through volunteering in classrooms, attending excursions and camps, assisting with events (including the 150th Anniversary), serving on School Council or PFA, or providing donations. Your support makes a genuine difference, and it is one of the things that makes our school community so special.

I would also like to acknowledge the efforts of all our staff. From our Educational Support staff who work alongside students in classrooms each day, to our OSH team who provide care before and after school, our office staff who keep the school running smoothly, our teachers and the impact they make through their planning and teaching, and our amazing school leadership team—thank you. Your care, professionalism and commitment are what make Macedon Primary School such a special place to learn.

Grade Six Students.

As we wrap up the year, I would also like to acknowledge our Grade 6 students who are finishing their time at Macedon Primary School. We wish you all the very best as you take your next steps, and we are incredibly grateful to have had you as part of our school community. It was wonderful to be part of your Grade 6 Graduation this week and to celebrate this important milestone with you and your families.

During the graduation, we were able to revisit your experiences at MPS, reflect on the memories you have made, and hear about your achievements along the way. It was also a joy to listen to your hopes and ambitions for the future and the exciting paths you are looking towards as you move on to secondary school.

Congratulations, Grade 6. We are proud of you, and we can’t wait to hear about your ongoing success.

Attendance

As part of our School Strategic Plan, we’re aiming to reduce student absences to an average of fewer than 17 days per student each year.

Regular attendance supports learning and wellbeing. Missing 20 days a year adds up to over a full year of school missed by Year 12.

So far this year, Macedon Primary students have missed 3841 days – an average of 16.7 days per student.

Thank you for supporting regular attendance. Every day counts!

Warm regards,

Andrew Bloomfield

Principal

andrew.bloomfield@education.vic.gov.au

PFA Update