Mathematical Association of Victoria Maths Game Day

Earlier this term, Merbein P-10 College hosted the Mathematical Association of Victoria’s (MAV) Maths Games Day. This 2 day event, funded by the Department of Education, saw teams of Year 5 & 6, 7&8, and 9 &10 students from 5 local Primary and 2 Secondary schools compete in fun, challenging, collaborative and competitive mathematics-based games day.

Andrew Lorimer-Derham, MAV consultant and the founder of Think Square, presented many interesting challenges to intrigue and extend students creative thinking in mathematics which are not always available to them in mainstream learning settings. It provided an opportunity for students to; apply and develop their mathematical talents and thinking skills in a setting where maths is regarded as fun and worthwhile; work with like-minded high ability students from a diverse range of schools; participate in mathematical activities and games without the usual classroom pressures; work effectively in teams and develop strategies to work collaboratively to solve problems; enhance their problem-solving skills; get excited about mathematics, whilst being rewarded through prizes and awards.

As a secondary outcome, the involvement of teachers also provided some opportunity for the development of teacher capability with an understanding of strategies for engagement and challenge.

Parent Seminar on 9th May - Raising Resilient Children

If you attended the parenting seminar in May, then you’d like to know that the parenting tip sheets have finally been delivered! These can be located at the primary reception area (at Heather’s desk) if you’d like a hard copy. We have also attached a PDF version here.

2024 Foundation (Prep) Enrolments

Starting school is an exciting and important time for you and your child or children. We want to help make the enrolment process as easy as possible for you.

The Department of Education has released a new statewide timeline for enrolling in Foundation (Prep) for the 2024 school year. If you have a child starting primary school in 2024, it’s time to enrol. Make sure to submit your enrolment application by Friday 28 July 2023.

If you are enrolling the sibling of a student at our school for Foundation in 2024, and both children will be attending our school at the same time, your child is prioritised for a place at our school as per the department’s Placement Policy.

It is important to follow the statewide timeline to enrol your child in Foundation. Enrolling your child in line with the timelines allows us to plan our classrooms, staffing and transition activities and ensures your child has the best start to school.

For more information, please read about when and how to enrol your child in Foundation at vic.gov.au/enrolling-foundation-prep.

If you are seeking to enrol your child into Foundation at Merbein P-10 next year, please contact our school office on 5025 2501 or at merbein.p10@education.vic.gov.au to request more information or to book in a tour.

Useful links

Please find some useful links below that may be helpful for you as your child starts primary school in 2024:

Find my School – findmyschool.vic.gov.au

Information on school zones – vic.gov.au/school-zones

Enrolling in Foundation (Prep) – vic.gov.au/enrolling-foundation-prep

Enrolling in school – vic.gov.au/how-choose-school-and-enrol

Camps, Sports and Excursion Fund Claims

A reminder to families that claims for CSEF must be submitted to school by 23rd June 2023.

The applicant must be one of the following on the first day of Term 1 (30 January 2023) or Term 2 (24 April 2023):

a parent or carer who is the beneficiary of a financially means-tested card
a temporary foster carer
a student who is 16 years or older and holds a valid concession card (such as a Youth Allowance Health Care Card or Disability Support Pension Card).

Application forms are available from the office.

Supervision of Students in the Yard

Yard duty teachers from the Primary and Secondary areas are on yard duty from 8.20 am before school and until the final bus departs in the bus area at 4 pm after school. During recess and lunch, teachers from both Primary and Secondary sections are on duty to ensure students are in the appropriate areas and are participating safely in activities. Please ensure students do not arrive at school before 8:15am unless they are travelling on one of the early school buses, as they are not supervised in the yard. Any students who arrive prior to supervision starting will be directed to sit in the cafeteria.

Photographing, Filming and Recording Students - Annual Consent Form and Collection Notice

During the school year there are many occasions and events where staff may photograph, film or record students participating in school activities and events. We do this for many reasons including to celebrate student participation and achievement, showcase particular learning programs, document a student’s learning journey/camps/excursions/sports events etc, communicate with our parents and school community in newsletters and on classroom blogs.

Merbein P-10 College understands that parents and carers have the right to withhold permission for our school to use photographs, video or recordings of your child (apart from circumstances where the school is not required to seek consent – see our Photographing, Filming and Recording Students Policy available on the school website - http://www.merbeinp10.vic.edu.au/index.php).

Please read the attached Annual Consent Form and Collection Notice for further information. It is an Opt-Out form so if you have read this notice and are comfortable with the school using photos, video or recordings of your child as described above, you do not need to take any further action.

Attendance

EVERY DAY COUNTS

Going to school every day is the single most important part of your child’s education. Students learn new things at school every day – missing school puts them behind.

Why it’s important

We all want our students to get a great education, and the building blocks for a great education begin with students coming to school each and every day.

If students miss school regularly, they miss out on learning the fundamental skills that will set them up for success in the later years of school.

There is no safe number of days for missing school – each day a student misses puts them behind, and can affect their educational outcomes.

Each missed day is associated with progressively lower achievement in academic and social development.

What we can do

The main reasons for absence are:

Sickness – There are always times when students need to miss school, such as when they’re ill. It’s vital that they’re only away on the days they are genuinely sick, and setting good sleep patterns, eating well and exercising regularly can make a big difference.

It's encouraged that family holidays are planned during school breaks where possible, and not during the term if it can be avoided.

Day off” – Think twice before letting your child have a “day off” as they could fall behind their classmates – every day counts. “

Remember, every day counts. If your child must miss school, speak with your classroom teacher and let the school know as early as possible.

If your child is going to be absent, it is important this is communicated to the school via Compass or calling on 50252501.

Updating Details

Have you changed your address or phone number in the past three months or has your family situation changed? If so it is important that you pass on your new details to the school. Please contact the school office between 8am and 4.30pm school days or email merbein.p10@education.vic.gov.au

Canteen Prices

Secondary

Primary

Uniform Shop

School uniforms can be purchased from the school’s main office between the hours of 8am and 4.30pm during the school week. If these hours are inconvenient for you, please ring the school to make an alternate arrangement.

School Bank Account

BSB - 633 000

Bank Acc Number – 176208320

Account Name - Merbein P-10 College Official Account

Breakfast Club

The Merbein & District Community Bank is financially supporting the Breakfast Program. Foodbank Victoria also supports the breakfast program with donations of food. The following organisations provide volunteers to assist with the program when COVID-19 restrictions allow; the Board & Staff of the Merbein & District Community Bank, Merbein Development Association, Merbein Lions Club, and Merbein Uniting Church. Merbein P-10 College parents are also welcome and encouraged to volunteer. The Breakfast Program is held in the school cafeteria. All students are welcome to come along between 8.15am and 8.45am each morning if they would like a FREE tasty breakfast to kick-start their day's learning.

Student Absences

If your child is away from school, please notify the school before 10am. The preferred method to notify of absences is via the compass portal or by phone or sending an email to the following email address: heather.collihole@education.vic.gov.au

An automated text message will be sent to your phone if your child is not at school and the school has not been notified.

Saver Plus

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