Dear School Community Members,

Mano Step Up Day: Our annual ‘Step Up’ day was an outstanding success on Tuesday. Our students engaged in an extended transition session with their 2025 teacher, 2025 classmates and in their 2025 classroom. Students participated in activities and tasks that support their transition into their next year level. Students received an introductory letter from their 2025 teacher, and families received an email outlining their children’s 2025 teacher and their child’s classlist. If you didn’t receive this email, please contact the office.

Grade 6 Graduation – Thursday, 12th December: This evening is our formal Graduation Ceremony for our Grade 6 students. It is an opportunity to celebrate the successful end of our graduate’s primary schooling and reflect on their time at Mano. I, along with all staff, are immensely proud of our Grade 6 students, and although it is a time of celebration, it is also a time of sadness as we bid them farewell.

Visit from the Honourable Mr Richard Marles – Deputy Prime Minster: The Honourable Mr Richard Marles, Deputy Prime Minster, visited our Grade 5 and 6 students yesterday to present his Leadership Award. The Richard Marles Leadership award is presented to a Grade 6 student who displays Courage, Humility and Kindness. Ava Beyer was the recipient this year and a very worthy winner. After presenting the award to Ava, Mr Marles shared with our Grade 5 and 6 students his role and answered many questions from our students. I congratulate our Grade 5 and 6 students, along with their teachers for the manner they welcomed Mr Marles.

Student Reports: Our Student Reports will be available through Compass from 4pm tomorrow (Friday 13th December). If you would like a ‘paper copy’, please contact the Office to make a request as soon as possible. If your child is exiting Mano at the end of the school year, you have until Friday, 20th December to access reports on Compass. After that your access to Compass will expire.

Staffing – 2025: I am pleased to inform you that our staffing for 2025 is almost complete. We have further increased our profile in Learning Support (integration aides) and Instructional Leadership. This aims to maximise the learning outcomes for each of our students.

Farewell: The following staff we will be farewelling at the end of the year:

Mrs Lisa Benson (resignation)

Mrs Jeannette Orford (Leave for 2025)

Miss Jess Smith

Miss Tori Aufdemberge

Ms Tania Harding (Leave for 2025)

I would like to acknowledge and thank Lisa, Jeannette, Jess, Tori & Tania for their contribution to Manifold Heights Primary School in their respective roles in 2024. I wish these staff members well in their new roles and new endeavours.

Welcome: The following staff will be returning to our staff or are new to our school for 2025:

Mrs Christy King (Teacher - Art)

Mrs Kristie Ilett (returning from family leave: Teacher - Art)

Mr Harry Fleming (Integration Aide)

Mrs April Hughes (returning from family leave: Teacher – Gr 3)

We look forward to welcoming April, Christy and Kristie back to Mano. We also look forward to welcoming Harry to our wonderful community.

Christmas Concert – Thursday, 19th December: Next Thursday will be our Christmas Concert and End of Year Celebration at 9:15am. Each year level will perform a Christmas Carol or item, culminating with the Year 6 students performing their Graduation Song. We will also announce our 2025 School Captains and House Captains, along with our Unleashing Potential awards. Students will come to school dressed in their clothing for their item. A program will be available early next week. Please feel free to come and join us in our celebrations.

Victorian State School Spectacular

The Victorian State School Spectacular will be broadcast on Channel 7 this Saturday 14th December at 7pm. It will also be available to stream on 7Plus.

Key Dates in December

Thursday, 12th December Grade 6 Graduation Ceremony
Thursday, 19th December Christmas Concert and End of Year Celebration – 9:15am
Friday, 20th December Last day of school year – 1:30pm dismissal

Thank you for supporting our school and have a great week.

Christian Smith

Mano Christmas Concert