Principal's Report

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents/Carers,

Welcome to our first newsletter of 2024. To all the new families joining our school, we extend a huge, warm welcome to the Merri-bek Primary School community and we look forward to getting to know you and building a positive and trusting relationship. We also welcome back to our returning families. We trust that you and your family had a relaxing break and that you were able to spend some quality time with loved ones.

At Merri-bek Primary School, our aim is to provide a safe, secure, stimulating and calm learning environment where high expectations for academic pursuits and student wellbeing are the priorities, where students feel valued, where their thoughts and opinions are considered and effort is recognised. Our classrooms provide a calm environment, where student wellbeing is at the centre and a range of tools and resources are available for students to use for their social, emotional and academic learning. Out in the yard, you will see staff engaging respectfully with students, encouraging play and supporting students to have a positive play experience. 

Students in Years 1-6 have already spent nine days at school and are settling in well with their new teachers, classmates, classrooms and learning environments. 

The students have had a positive start to the year which was obvious when we visited classrooms during the week. Through our Start Up program, teachers and students have worked together to create warm and welcoming learning environments. Classes have been working on developing our own Acknowledgement of Country for Coburg/Merri-bek PS and also our own Acknowledgement of Diversity. This will be shared with families and our website later this term.

There have been lots of happy students and teachers as well as many smiling faces which was fantastic to see. We have enjoyed seeing our Prep students join us this week, and it was lovely to have lots of families join us for the Prep families morning tea on Monday.  Last week Prep students were involved in school assessments. 

Please refer to the Important Dates section of the newsletter to see what is coming up. This and other important information can also be found on Compass. Thank you to the families who have made Parent Payments. A reminder that both cash and EFTPOS facilities are  accepted at the office.  Payments can be made between 9.00am-3:30pm.

School Leaders:

It was a very special moment to hear our grade 5 and 6 school students present their speeches to both Bianca and I throughout the week.  Their speeches were exceptional and I know all students and staff listening to their speeches have a tough decision to make. 

All leaders will be presented with their badges at our next Friday  assembly. Their leadership appointment and badges, signify the importance of their roles within the school and community. We look forward to seeing our School Captains, Vice Captains and all Leaders perform their roles throughout the year and lead by example as role models for students across the school. 

Child Safe Standards:

Ministerial Order 870 - Child Safe Standards - Managing the Risk of Child Abuse in Schools provides guidance on how the Standards apply to a school setting. It came into effect on 1 August 2016. To implement the minimum Standards in accordance with the Order school governing authorities must: 

Take account of the diversity of all children, including (but not limited to) the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, children with disabilities, and children who are vulnerable; and make reasonable efforts to accommodate such diversity. Our Child Safe Standards policies are available to view on our school website merri-bekps.vic.edu.au

Breakfast Club:

Our Breakfast Club will be starting next Tuesday and we are so pleased to be able to offer this to our school community. It is a great pleasure and privilege to see the many smiling faces of students and their families enjoying a toasted sandwich, a glass of milo, cereal and whatever other foods are on offer.  I would like to thank our many student and parent  volunteers who assist in making this happen. Thank you also to Helen Brown,  who oversees the organisation including food shopping and volunteer rosters. The Breakfast Club runs every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday morning from 8:30am-8:50am. Please come along, spend time together and meet other members of our school community. 

Annual privacy reminder for our school community

Schools must include a privacy reminder in their first or second school newsletter or usual school communication channel each year.

By doing so, we will ensure your school is compliant with the department’s obligations under the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic)

Our school collects and uses student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the Schools’ Privacy Policy and the Schools’ Privacy Collection Notice.

Our Photographing, Filming and Recording Students Policy describes how we collect and use photographs, video and recordings of students. 

The policy also explains when parent consent is required and how it can be provided and withdrawn. We ask parents to also review the guidance we provide on how we use Google Workspace for Education safely at the school and what parents can do to further protect their child’s information. 

If after reviewing the guidance, you have any questions or concerns regarding your child using Google Workspace for Education, please contact the school. 

For more information about privacy, refer to: Schools’ Privacy Policy https://www.vic.gov.au/schools-privacy-policy-information-parents?Redirect=1 information for parents. 

Maria Giordano

Principal