TERM 3 DRAWS TO A CLOSE

What a musical and active term this has been which culminated in a spectacular whole school performance at the Robert Blackwood Theatre last Friday.

SHREK JNR. PRODUCTION

The excitement mounted across the school as students prepared for their stage performance. There was also a level of anticipation from the audience as we wondered what we might expect given the huge success of last year’s production. But our Performing Arts Teacher has done it again! Miss Nugent, supported by Miss Marquis pulled together a production that surpassed our expectations. The costumes, the choreography, the props and scenery all contributing to the overall glamour for our students on stage.

It was an absolute joy to see every item performed with enthusiasm and gusto and noticing how at each year level the moves and stage positioning became a little more complex in the junior showcase.

As for the Shrek production, the audience could clearly see the efforts given by students to learn the script and tie together the storyline with every student playing their role.

I’d like to give thanks to Miss Nugent and Miss Marquis for their tireless work over the past term in organising and attending to every detail which involved their continued dedication after hours. A special thanks also to the class teachers who also gave so much support by practicing and instilling confidence in their students.

CONTINUOUS REPORTING

As you are aware, the school has been endeavouring to review areas where parent feedback has suggested room for improvement. One of those areas is the desire of parents to know on a more regular basis how their child is progressing. For this reason, continuous reporting, using the Compass Continuum, was introduced. Teachers review student learning outcomes in the context of the unit they are teaching. Each unit of inquiry runs for approximately six weeks and incorporates the subject disciplines (science, history, geography etc) as relevant to the transdisciplinary theme. Students enjoy celebrating their learning when parents visit the classroom for the ‘Unit Shares’ and teachers also like to report the learning outcomes achieved at the same time.

THE COMPASS CONTINUUM IS NOW OPEN.

Parents are encouraged to review the learning outcomes your child has achieved since the first introduction of the continuum last term. The continuum will be closed at the end of the first week back next term so teachers can resume the planning, teaching and assessment cycle.

COFFEE CART

We’ve noticed there are times across the term that parents are able to linger to chat and catch up with each other after the students have entered classrooms in the morning. Why not enjoy that chat over a cuppa? Today's ‘Sports Colours Day’ and the weather being so glorious, it’s the perfect time to introduce the coffee cart. Hopefully this can be a more regular occurrence pending its success.

SPRINGTIME HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES

How sad it is that ‘playdates’ these days quickly resort to kids on devices or gaming online!

No matter what the weather is like, the school holidays are a time to get the whole family outside and enjoying parks, gardens and the free attractions on offer across Melbourne. Put the devices away and help your child truly connect with friends in the old-fashioned way: talking face to face, creating games together, playing sport and enjoying nature and the outdoors.

STUDENTS LEAVING OR INTENDING TO ENROL

It’s that time of the year when families and schools are planning for the next year. If your child will not be at MPS next year, can you please email the school which will help guide our workforce planning.

Likewise, if you have or know of a child who intends to enrol in our school, can you please ask them to enrol as soon as possible.

BUILDING RESILIENCE AND FIGHTING AGAINST ANXIETY

Karen Young is the author of three books, including the bestselling ‘Hey Warrior’, which creatively assist children to understand and manage anxiety. The school has organised for Karen to run a workshop for parents and a separate workshop for our staff.

Any parent who has stated aloud that their child becomes anxious simply cannot miss this workshop. The school will be covering the cost of this workshop providing parents and teachers the opportunity to access knowledge and a toolkit of strategies so that together we can help your children fight their inner battles and build confidence and courage.

‘Anxiety loves anything unfamiliar or any situation that comes with any potential for embarrassment, failure, humiliation, shame, or separation from a loved one – and school is ripe for all of them. Anxiety can significantly affect friendships, confidence, and school performance, but it doesn’t have to be this way. All children and teens need the right support to thrive, and even the smallest considerations can go a long way to helping children with anxiety find the very best version of themselves. Participants will learn practical, powerful, proven ways to effectively respond to children with anxiety, as well as ways to capture the powerful buffering role school can play in strengthening all young people against anxiety at school and beyond.

Save the date for the workshop: Wednesday 25 October 6:30 – 8:00pm

BYOD – BRING YOUR OWN DEVICE (ipads)

Save the date: An information session will be held on Thursday 12 October 5:30 – 6:30pm

Whether we like devices or not, we live in a world where we have a responsibility to teach students how to become ethical and responsible digital citizens, especially when online or in social forums.

Here at school, devices allow teachers to provide learning activities at a ‘just right’ level to better meet the differentiated needs of students within their class. And for our students, devices allow them opportunity to create and collaborate on learning projects and to demonstrate their academic understandings in more individualised ways.

Our BYOD Information session will be a little different this year and we invite any parents, especially those from years 3 to 5 to attend. Some of our students from years 4 to 6 will be showing you how they use ipads in the classroom and the incredible digital products they create.

Please save the date and logistical details will be posted early next term.

Chellee Plumb

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