From the Principal...
Hi everyone and welcome to the latest newsletter. I hope you’re managing to embrace the colder weather that’s upon us! I hope you and your children are back into the full swing and rhythm of school life for this term.
As you will have seen from the previous newsletter we have so many wonderful learning opportunities planned for this term.
Last week you will have received a newsletter from the respective year levels that also outlines the dates to note but also the curriculum overview that’s planned for the term. I hope this helps in providing you with some insight and oversight of the term 3 programs. As always, if you have any questions your child’s teacher is the first and best port of call.
Curriculum Provision
We are proud to be able to offer a dynamic and diverse learning program at MEPS. We highly value the support of all of our parents in enabling these opportunities. In order for us to continue offering these high quality and diverse learning programs we rely on parental payments to help us adequately resource our program.
The school fees that were sent out at the start of the year provide a pivotal resource to the school which in turn allows us to continue offering the programs and importantly, the resources we need to cater for all of our students. Your financial contributions to these initiatives is highly valued and appreciated. The school receives department funding to support staffing and the operational costs associated in schools however the curriculum contributions and fees from parents are a crucial element to the delivery of our core work – teaching and learning.
Thank you to the families who have already paid these fees, we do appreciate the support.
If you haven’t as yet paid your contributions and are in a position to do so, we would be ever so grateful as this would help in not jeopardising some of our future plans for the 2025 school year. Your contributions cannot be underestimated and is highly valued from the whole MEPS community. Thank you!!!
We are continuing to invest in our great school and in our students. Some examples of recent investments include:
removal and redevelopment of our ramps and disabled access throughout the school
investing in our ICT infrastructure in purchasing new ipads to support the learning program across the junior school (30 new devices)
new public address system to allow for the use of music in our new timetable and ensure adequate emergency evacuation capabilities
additional funding to support our OzHarvest program in year 3/4, our Endeavour program in year 5/6, providing additional resources for our STEM program, additional literacy resources across the school.
Reviewing and planning for further playground developments at MEPS
As was sent home earlier in the year, the school has Compass as our payment functionality. Over the next week or so, we will be sending home family statements that will provide a picture of your current status. We will also send out a notification from Compass giving you the option to pay your contributions. As always, if you require any support or further clarification around these payment options, please contact the school office.
Curriculum Day 22nd August
Please note this date in your home calendar as students are not required at school on this day. Staff will be working hard on developing our curriculum and programming, further developing our shared professional learning in the science of learning and related approaches. This will provide an enhanced focus and a shared approach across the school.
Our OHSC program will be offered during this day to support those families where required. Flyer below.
Thank-you
Last Friday was Principal’s Day and whilst not my favourite of days (wanting to steer clear of the spotlight!) I am very grateful to the students, staff and community for their positivity, generosity and kindness throughout the day. The students and staff went to much trouble to acknowledge the day which was so lovely considering I am very new to the MEPS team. Some lovely words shared at our assembly by the students, a beautiful student authored book of gratitude, an awesome coloured poster, lots of well wishes and beautiful plant to oxygenate my office. Thank-you SO much!!!
100 Days of school for Preps
Congratulations to all of our awesome year Prep students for completing their 100th Day of school and the related celebrations. It was wonderful to share in the fun with the team this morning! Thank-you to all of the parents for supporting your children through their start to school life and of course, to the amazing staff who support our youngest students each and every day at school!
Planning for 2026
Please let the office know if you have not submitted your enrolment form for Prep 2026 and/or you are planning on departing MEPS in 2026. This information is so important for effective planning. This information will support planning of curriculum programs, formation of classes and staffing. Your assistance here is greatly appreciated.
Staff carpark
A reminder to please refrain from using the staff carpark at any time including before and after school. Using this space creates undue risk to students and also impacts of the ability for staff to park at their workplace. Again, I thank-you for your support and understanding here.
Australian Maths competition
It was wonderful to see so many of our students participating in the recent mathematics competition throughout the week. This is a fantastic compliment to our maths program and instruction.
Wakakirri
Preparations are in full swing for the upcoming Wakakirri production. Special thanks to the amazing students and the staff team, in particular Mrs Croft, Mrs Congiusta and Mrs Taggart for their hard work and dedication to the performing arts program at MEPS. This fantastic opportunity culminates at the Wakakirri show to be held next Tuesday evening at Frankston Arts Centre.
Book Week
We are excitingly looking ahead to our Book Week Dress Up Parade that will be held on Friday 15th August at our 9.00am assembly. Please note this change to our assembly time just for next week.
Following this we will be running our annual Scholastic Book Fair from 18-21 August. This provides a great opportunity for students and families to purchase some additional reading material for home!
Science Week
Due to the busy schedule and many offerings happening across the school we have moved our celebration of National Science Week until later in the term (week 9).
It was great to see the year 2 students enjoying their science incursion at school on Wednesday! Loads of hands on fun!
Programs
With all of the events and activities planned for this term we will provide appropriate reminders via Compass which will allow time for parental permissions and payments to be processed. This will ensure that no students miss the opportunities that are provided.
Busy Busy
We have many extra curricular learning opportunities happening across the term and a few upcoming experiences to note:
Prep Nature Play program
Year 5/6 Electives program
Continuation of Year 3 OzHarvest program
Year 4-6 House Athletics Day
Year 5 Kinder visits
Mental Health and Wellbeing program for year 5/6
Year 5/6 Fire and Food Endeavour Program
Cozy into a Book Day (21 Aug)
Regional Hockey Day year 5/6
Staffing updates
Congratulations to Mrs Tippet who recently shared the exciting news that she and her husband are expecting their first child in December. This is such an exciting time for them and we wish Jennifer continued good health throughout the pregnancy.
Katherine Dalton in Prep is returning to teaching in a full time capacity for the remainder of the year. This will support Ms Adams, who was working in the Prep class one day per week to now focus her full time role in supporting wellbeing and engagement across the school.
We also welcome back Sam Cosham after some surgery to rectify a football related injury. Great to have the full MEPS team back together.
Have a wonderful weekend ahead!
Michael Kent
Principal
Respect, Resilience, Responsibility, Connectedness and Challenge