Primary School

Newsletter Term 1 Week 2

What a great start to the year we have had. It has been lovely to reconnect with our school community after the holidays and to welcome our new students and their families to our school. We have been amazed at how quickly the students have settled back into their school routines. After completing transition meetings and school readiness meetings before the students’ first formal day of school, everyone should be congratulated on their resilience in ensuring an incredibly smooth start to the term.

Due to continued enrolment interest in our school, a decision was made late last year to add a third Year 5 classroom. This decision was guided by our optimum class size framework. This framework looks at contributing contextual factors that will put the student’s learning at the centre when it comes to making decisions about classroom allocations. The framework considers many factors including: number of students per class, classroom size, gender ratios and cohort needs including cognitive, physical, behavioural and social/emotional. 

We welcome Justin Minchin who joins the Year 5 team as Year 5B classroom teacher, after having taught at Echuca Twin Rivers Primary School for the past 7 years. Having lived in Echuca for the past 10 years, Justin considers himself almost a local. Justin is passionate about playing music and you may see him as he enjoys going for runs around town. Justin brings with him a wealth of knowledge in the area of Information Technology, and he looks forward to integrating these into his Year 5 and Year 6 IPT classrooms, as well as the Co-Curricular programs. Justin is really excited about the year ahead as he involves himself into the MAG community.

With the addition of a third Kindergarten class, we welcome Adele Ridge who joins the Kindergarten team as Early Stage 1 Co-ordinator and Kinder B classroom teacher. Adele has lived in the local community for the past 25 years and previously taught at Echuca Twin Rivers Primary School and more recently at St Mary’s Primary School. Adele brings with her a strong background in supporting students' transition to school and has held various leadership roles in education. Adele’s family are actively involved in a range of local sporting clubs and is often seen traveling around town as a personal taxi driver for her three children. Adele is looking forward to becoming an active member of the Moama Anglican Grammar community and is excited to get to know all the students and their families. We are excited to welcome both Justin and Adele to the Primary School team. 

Exciting Changes for the Art Room!

The Primary Art Room has a brand-new home! This year, all Kindergarten and Year 6 art classes will take place in JS1 (formerly the Primary Staff Room). This larger space, complete with a lino floor, is perfect for creative exploration, especially when things get messy. 

We are excited to see students start their art projects, experimenting with different materials and techniques. Before long, the walls will be filled with incredible student artwork, bringing the space to life. We cannot wait to share their creativity with you all.

Student Achievement

Congratulations to Lila Mislicki (Year 6) who was crowned first place champion in her age group at the ‘Follow Your Dream’ competition in Adelaide over the holiday break. Lila did us all proud placing first in pop and ballad, and third in musical theatre and Disney. We look forward to following Lila as she continues to follow her dreams.

Academic Co-Curricular Program

Our Academic Co-Curricular extension and support programs continue to be offered for both English and Mathematics this year. In addition to the many extension programs and opportunities available for selected students, our comprehensive Literacy Intervention programs from Kindergarten to Year 6 will continue to be offered to identified students. Parents of students who will be selected to participate in these programs will receive a personalised invitation. 

Student Individual Learning Plan (ILP)

For those students on an ILP, the plans from 2024 will continue to be implemented to support the students settle into their new classrooms. If your child is new to the School, teachers will use the ILP from their previous school. Teachers are currently collecting baseline assessment data which they will use when reviewing your child’s ILP at the end of Term 1, ready for implementation in Term 2. Each ILP is reviewed again at the end of Term 3. 

Message from the Office

With the start of the new school year, I would like to remind parents of the importance of safe behaviours during boarding/disembarking buses and whilst waiting for the bus to come to a halt. As per the Conditions of Travel, it is the Parent's/Guardian's responsibility for supervision at roadside stops and after disembarking in the afternoon service. We thank you for your support.

Our lost property cupboard is well stocked with jumpers, jackets and many more uniform items looking for their rightful owner. Before we donate these items to the uniform shop, we encourage our families to visit the Primary Office where the lost property items are stored.

Upcoming Events

13/02/25              Primary Swimming Carnival

14/02/25              Commencement Assembly

20/02/25              Years 1 to 6 Parent Information Evening

24/02/25              Family Life Parent Information session (Years 4-6)

25/02/25              Family Life Mother and Daughter session (Years 4-6) 

28/02/25             Be Rare Be You Fundraiser

28/02/25              Primary Assembly

04/03/35              Shrove Tuesday

05/03/25              RAS Swimming (selected students)

05/03/25              Ash Wednesday

05/03/25              Parent/Teacher Interviews

06/03/25              Parent/Teacher Interviews

Kind Regards,

Nici Deller                                                      

Deputy Principal | Head of Primary