Comedy Night

We would like to extend an enormous thanks again to those community members who attended the Comedy Night last Friday. The event was an outstanding success and the laughter, community spirit and good vibes that filled Petrie Park Community Hall was palpable. Please see the separate section later in this newsletter which contains information about upcoming shows for the amazing Bron Lewis, Claire Hooper and Dave Thornton as well as thanking our sponsors who financially supported the event.

Thanks again to all the organisers (from both the parent and staff communities) who made the night possible. We are happy to announce that the funds raised from the event, which will go towards our new SAKG garden, totalled just over $18,000. What an amazing effort!

We are certainly looking forward to finishing off the space outside our new kitchen!

Curriculum Updates

Literacy

Last week, the Victorian Government announced that phonics instruction will be mandated across all government schools in the state, commencing in 2025.

The shift towards mandated phonics instruction state-wide is a testament to the effectiveness of phonics-based learning methodologies in teaching children how to read and spell words accurately. Research consistently supports phonics instruction as a critical component of early literacy education, enabling students to decode words independently and develop fluency in reading.

At Montmorency Primary, we have long recognized the importance of phonics instruction in fostering strong literacy skills, particularly in the junior school. Over the years, we have implemented phonics-based learning programs such as Soundwaves and, more recently, the Little Learners Love Literacy program. These programs have been instrumental in equipping our students with essential phonetic knowledge and skills, setting them on a path to reading success.

It is encouraging to know that, as a result of this mandate, other schools that have not previously used phonics instruction and explicit teaching will now adopt these methods, leading to greater success for all Victorian students.

As a school, we are proud of the incredibly strong reading results which our students regularly achieve during NAPLAN. Although standardised testing undoubtedly has its shortcomings, it is one of the few tools that we have to compare results in a clear and accessible manner. See below for some information highlighting our recent success compared to similar schools as well as state averages.

Numeracy

In 2025, Victorian schools will also be mandated to adopt the new Numeracy 2.0 curriculum. This is a significant update aimed at modernising mathematics education and better preparing students for the future. This update aims to equip students with essential skills for their personal, professional and civic lives while making the curriculum more accessible and manageable for teachers. For more details, visit the VCAA website and the Numeracy Portal.

Montmorency Primary is leading the way in the implementation of the new Numeracy 2.0 curriculum, having already excelled in the familiarisation phase. Our dedicated staff have embraced the changes with enthusiasm, utilising the comprehensive suite of resources and professional learning opportunities available. This proactive approach ensures that our students are receiving the highest quality education, setting the standard for excellence in Victorian schools. We are proud to be at the forefront of this educational advancement, demonstrating our commitment to innovative and effective teaching practices.

Reset Rooms

Our wobble stools have finally arrived- yet another addition to our newly refurbished Reset Rooms. See below a couple of beautiful letters written by some of our students.

Our Monty students really are the best!

Staffing Updates

3/4A news

We are pleased to share that Ady's health is improving as she continues her rehabilitation with a dedicated team of allied health professionals. However, due to the demanding nature of the classroom teacher role, Ady is not yet ready to return to her previous position.

Ensuring continuity for our students in 3/4A has been our priority, and we are immensely thankful for the outstanding efforts of Sophie and Elise who have stepped in admirably to lead the 3/4 program during this challenging period of teacher shortages.

Looking ahead, we are fortunate to welcome Ms. Mikayla Johnson as the new 3/4A classroom teacher for the remainder of the year. Mikayla has completed her pre-service placement at MPS and is familiar with our processes and programs. Welcome Mikayla!

First Aid/Office news

We are excited to announce the hiring of Lauren Kelly, a registered nurse, for the role of First Aider/School Nurse. She will begin her duties in Week 2 of the next term.

Welcome Lauren!

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Michelle for her outstanding work in the first aid department over the past 1.5 years. Michelle will be transitioning to the office administration team as Dan will be moving on in Week 3 of the next term.

We also thank Dan for his hard work and dedication in the office at MPS and wish him all the best with his future endeavours.

Wellbeing

We are looking forward to welcoming back Lucinda Thom to the Assistant Principal Wellbeing role. Lucinda has spent the last five weeks in the Department offices, working on the rollout of the new model in the Disability Inclusion space. We are thrilled to have her return at the start of Term 3.

Visual Art