From the Acting Principal
CONCERT ON FILM:
‘Colour My World’
On Tuesday, students were dressed in sparkling costumes and dancing to the beat while the videographer filmed class routines. It was priceless hearing the students’ excitement about being filmed so the family can watch them on TV!
The whole school finale was filmed on Thursday and a drone captured some terrific overhead images.
I would like to give a special thankyou to Mr Bucher, as he worked alongside Kinect 2 Dance to prepare the students. He didn’t want any of our students to miss out on a performing arts opportunity. Mrs Trotter also did an incredible job with costume design, ensuring every student looked the part, as you’ll see in the filming.
The video file is far too large to send the whole concert to parents, so we will be posting the links to each year level’s routines for families to download to their own devices. The year level digital file will contain routines from the classes of that year level and the whole school finale. Families will receive the concert via a URL link on Compass and you will have 7 days to download and save the file.
CYBERSAFE AGREEMENTS
In accordance with our Digital Technologies and ICT agreements, parents and students are reminded that the video and images are NOT to be uploaded to any social media platform. This concert video is shared only for our school community.
Finally, I’d like to thank our terrific students for showing us their talents and for being part of this miniature concert.
FINAL TRANSITION SESSION- TUESDAY DECEMBER 7
On Tuesday 7 Dec, we had our final transition session for the year. This year it was interesting to note how comfortable students felt about moving to their new year level. For many students, there is excitement about what lies ahead, but for others we know they may be worried about change.
It is important that we all talk to children about the positives of moving forward and focus on what they have to look forward to. It’s also pertinent to remember that while it’s important to have at least one person from the child’s friendship request list, the classes are based on a range of factors and friendship is just one element.
The first three weeks of the school term in 2022 are all about students and teachers getting to know each other; new teacher, new class composition and even new students.
This is when students are involved in relationship and trust building activities and students also decide, with their teacher, how they would like their new classroom learning environment to be. School attendance in these first few weeks is vital to the positive wellbeing of students and in helping them to form new relationships.
SPECIAL EVENTS IN THE LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL
Our Year 6 students have been brilliant role models for the younger students across the school and, despite the constant lockdowns, they have shown outstanding leadership in so many ways. It will be sad to see this gorgeous group leave the school.
Next week we will be holding a special Wednesday morning assembly for our Year 6 graduating students and we welcome their parents and other siblings to attend this special occasion. The evening will be dedicated to the formal graduation ceremony, followed by a dinner and disco.
Year 4 students are relieved they didn’t miss out on a camp this year and are excited to head off to Golden Valleys Lodge for their camp on Monday 13 to Wed 15 December.
CLASS PARTIES
On Thursday, all classes will hold an end of year party celebration. This year, students are NOT able to share food; therefore, we invite parents to help their child pack a fun ‘party lunchbox’ with their own special treats.
Students may dress in casual clothes for the party, at a cost of a gold coin donation.
The Student Representative Council decided at their last meeting to donate the money raised to the NeuroEndocrine Cancer Australia Foundation in honour of Mrs Foster, our principal who passed away this year.
LIBRARY RETURNS
The school loaned an enormous number of books over the remote learning stages and we have many books (hundreds) now overdue and needing to be returned.
We would appreciate it if families can check all shelves, bedrooms, cars and cupboards for school library books and return them to school as soon as possible.
If you happen to come across library books over the holiday vacation, pop the books in your child’s school bag ready to return in the new year.
REPORTS
Reminder: reports will be on Compass at the end of Tuesday (14 December) next week.
If you are a parent of a Year 6 child or you are leaving the school, please remember you only have until the last day of school to access Compass and download reports.
Once the rollover to the 2022 grades is completed, you will lose access to the school portal.
2022 CLASS ORGANISATION
For 2022, we will be running 24 classes. All classes will be straight grades. The classes and teachers are as follows:
PREP (4 classes)
Miss Lucy Dunshea, Miss Maxine Shue, Miss Chelsea Quirk, Miss Charlotte Pile
YEAR ONE (4 classes) Miss Marissa McKellar, Miss Elise French, Miss Brianna Newbond, Mrs Jess Maya/Mrs Steph Protektor
YEAR TWO (4 classes) Mr Anthony van Berkel, Miss Laura Bainbridge, Mrs Kathryn Parker/Mrs Gabby Grant, Mrs Gabbi Menche/Mrs Melanie Short
YEAR THREE (3 classes)
Miss Alicia Oliver-Cook, Miss Teagan Laskey, Mr Mitchell Houston
YEAR FOUR (3 classes)
Ms Jeneeta Uluilakepa, Mrs Cassie Bongers, Mr Joshua Lowe
YEAR FIVE (3 classes)
Mr Phil Cook, Ms Radhika Perera, Miss Ellie Martinez
YEAR SIX (3 classes) Mr Damian Cripps, Mrs Julia Kantor, Mr Joe Calderone
ART
Mrs Helen Russell, Miss Jade Marquis
PERFORMING ARTS
Miss Shelly Nugent
PE
Miss Tracey Nelson and Mrs Dom Monotti
LOTE
Mrs Josie Briggs
READING RECOVERY/ EAL Support
Mrs Jeanette Baker
SAKG KITCHEN
To be advised
SAKG GARDEN
Ms Anna Malone
TUTORS
Mrs Michelle Tzialis and Mr Damiano
WELLBEING/LEARNING SUPPORT
Mrs Caitlin Brennan
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PROGRAM COMMEMCING IN 2022- KIDS ON KEY
Now that the building renovations are complete, we have the space to run an ‘Instrumental Music program.’
We have appointed ‘Kids on Key’ to run the program, as they come highly recommended from our neighbouring schools.
If you would like your child to learn an instrument in 2022 and beyond, lessons will take place at school during the school day. Students will take home an information card with enrolment details next week. In the mean time, you may like to take a look at the introductory clip (click on link) and information further in the advertising section of this newsletter.
Kids On Key
WINNING ‘EDIBLE GARDEN’- Victorian Schools Garden Program
Great news - we were awarded the 'Best Edible Garden' category in the VSGP awards this morning.
The Prize is a $1,000 nursery voucher, which we can redeem next year. The VSGP Awards recognise and celebrate the gardening achievements of students and their school communities in existing and newly established gardens.
Anna, our Garden Specialist said, "This project enabled our students to learn about where food comes from and grow food for our canteen. The students favourite part of the project was the propagation, especially by cuttings, and planting of the bush tucker and pollinating plants."
MPS would like to thank Anna for sharing her passion for the garden and working with the students to create this award winning garden.
YEARS 3-6 SWIMMING CARNIVAL –
Friday 11 Feb. 2022
The House Swimming Sports Carnival for Years 3 – 6 is in the second week back at school next year. This means we will posting consent forms on COMPASS as soon school commences. The swimming carnival is held at Oakleigh Aquatic Centre.
There are many novelty races for our younger students, however for the year 3 students who are a little more competitive, they can enter the key races which all require swimming 50m. The school holidays are a perfect time for families to head to the pool and start swimming.
Chellee Plumb