Principal's report

Dear Parents,Carers, Students,Staff and members of the Moonee Ponds West Community

Welcome back from your holiday. We missed you whilst you were away!  Term 4 is an exciting term as we prepare our year 6 students to leave us and we welcome our newest students to begin their primary learning journey.

We have a number of wonderful learning opportunities within and outside the classroom this term.

The Choir is hard at the practice to make the magical performance we have come to expect. Our year 5/6 students have the ‘Race Around Melbourne’ to look forward too, with the Junior students excited about the Year 2 Sleepover and Foundation/One Activity night.  It’s all go! These important dates are on your Community Calendar.

Class Placement Opportunity

This term we are circulating our Class Placement form for any parents to share important and crucial information that may support the process of class formation.  If you wish to contribute please return the form to the General Office.  The due date is on the form.  Remember, the class placement process each year is a complex and considered process, to enable the best learning environment for all.  In some cases we may place your child into a class that could be different to expectations. I urge you to have confidence in our behind the scenes considerations, and remember that we are endeavouring to work in partnership with you and your support at home is essential.  As the Principal, I ensure that there is monitoring of class formations until the end of Term 1.  Sometimes what looks good on paper may not pan out to be so! 

Swimming Program for Year 5/6

This year we have offered an adjusted swimming program for students in the senior years to achieve the end of primary schooling requirement of the Victorian Water Safety Certificate, including Water Safety Knowledge, Rescue Skills, Survival Sequences and Ability to swim a continuous distance of 50 metres. Last term we had 48 students who achieved all levels of the swimming competency certificate; 26 students who are developing their swimming skills but not yet able to competently demonstrate the swimming strength that the Primary Certificate requires, and 56 students who are beginning to develop their swimming skill and are encouraged to take on lessons to ensure safety in and or/near water.  The program this year was developed by Bree White in collaboration with the Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre and has been a huge success.  Well done to all!

Community Calendar

We offer the Community Calendar for your convenience. It is attached to the newsletter and is reflected in the calendar on COMPASS. It is important to keep informed especially in a busy term.  Our Curriculum Day this term will be the Monday before Melbourne Cup Day November 4th.  On this day the staff will be focusing on Assessment and Reporting, reflecting on student learning evidence and sharing student written samples for moderation. As an educator it is very exciting to see the learning growth of our students especially in reading and mathematics. Woohooo!

COMPASS

Are you accessing COMPASS on a regular basis?  It is important to do so as we focus on embedding COMPASS as our central communication tool for the school.  Having problems?  Please call us as we can help to get you on your way or solve the problem you maybe encountering.

COMPASS is central to finding out what is happening and being involved with your school.  It is where our Semester 2 Student Reports will be published at the end of this term.  So logon today using your parent logon and have a play!

Parent Forums for Term 4

The first Parent Forum is on Friday 1st November.  The focus will be Student Engagement with the Engagement leader Barb Springfield sharing some recent inclusions to our whole school support of students and families. The second Forum on Friday 29th November is around year 6-7 transition and I am endeavouring to have a secondary Transition coordinator speak about the first weeks of Secondary school.  In the past I have found that this helps settle families into the new way!  Both Forums will be on Eventbrite by Thursday, so you can indicate your interest. 

Enrolment intentions

As we continue to plan for next year we need to know if families (in years F-5) are not continuing with us in 2020. Below there is a form to complete indicating your intent to leave.  Please return this as soon as you can, so we can manage the in comings with the outgoings so to speak! If you are leaving us can I thank you for being part of our community and offer best wishes to your family.  Of course those families in Year 6 you are not required to indicate.

Well that’s about it from me.  Hope you are brushing up your Aussie trivia!!! The Trivia night is this Friday October 11th at 7 pm.

Sincerely

Kerri Simpson

Principal (Acting at Moonee Ponds West PS)