Dear School Community Members,

It is hard to believe that we are coming to the end of Term 3! Our focus during Term 3 has been to support the wellbeing and learning of our students, whilst also further developing the teaching and learning initiatives and key improvement strategies outlined in our School Improvement Plan. This includes embedding our Wellbeing Conferences for all students, implementing our new Literacy block, further developing the ‘Launch, Explore, Summarise’ Maths model, and reviewing and updating our Curriculum. Ultimately, we are committed to providing high quality instruction and the necessary wellbeing supports for every student.

Thank you to all students, staff and families for your contribution to Term 3 being so productive and focussed on our core business of maximising outcomes in learning and wellbeing for each student. All of our students have had the opportunity to engage in a host of educational, cultural, social and sporting activities to enjoy over the last 9 weeks. It is a privilege to experience and enjoy each student’s successes in a range of diverse activities.

Unleashing Potential Awards – Term 3:

The Unleashing Potential Award is a highly coveted award at Mano! Each term, one student per Learning Community (Year Level) is recognised for the following:

consistently working hard,
is self-motivated, and
strives to reach their individual potential

Congratulations to the following students on receiving the Term 3 Unleashing potential award:

Prep Grace O’Neill (PrepK)

Grade 1 Hugh Greskie (1Q)

Grade 2 Dwisha Patel (2S)

Grade 3 Nevaan Dumbarange (3O)

Grade 4 Harry Hutchinson (4B)

Grade 5 Archie Pabst (5H)

Grade 6 Eliza Dezelak (5/6W)

State School Spectacular:

Congratulations to our sixteen Grade 6 students who were part of our State School Spectacular team. Their performance was outstanding and we are all extremely proud of the manner in which they represented Mano. I also extend a huge thank you to Ms Stapleton, Mrs Grant and Ms Dove for their dedication and passion in supporting our students and coordinating all that goes with such a huge event.

Term 3 Social Service Activity:

Tomorrow is our Term 3 Social Service activity coordinated by our Junior School Council.

Date: Friday, 19th September

Charity: Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Donation: Gold coin

Dress: Sports Colours

Students and staff are invited to come to school dressed in their Sporting Team colours! Once again, congratulations to our Junior School Council for their leadership across our school.

Pupil Free Days – Term 4:

Please note the Pupil Free day and Public Holiday for Term 4:

Wednesday, 22nd October: Geelong Cup Public Holiday (no school)
Friday, 21st November: Curriculum Day: focus on Assessment and Reporting (pupil free day)

Village OSHC will provide care options for the pupil free day and should be contacted directly for bookings.

End of Term Arrangements:

Tomorrow is the last day of term 3. Please note, students will be dismissed from school at 2.30pm. After School Care will begin at 2.30pm. Term 4 will commence on Monday, 6th October.

Term 4 promises to be another fulfilling and rewarding time at Manifold Heights Primary School. Swimming programs, transition sessions, Grade 6 Graduation ceremony, Bike Ed for our Grade 4 and Grade 5 students, and many excursions and incursion are among some of the extra-curricula activities that will complement the formal curriculum.

On behalf of all staff, I wish all students and families a wonderful and safe break.

Christian Smith