Principal
Mr Chris Grimmer
School ANZAC Commemoration Ceremony
On Friday, 23rd April Merbein P-10 College conducted a special assembly to commemorate ANZAC Day. I would like to thank our representative from the RSL, Mr Brian Munro, who led the formal section of the service.
I would also like to thank our student leaders from both the primary and secondary area, Miles Fetherston, Chloe Moore, Mathias Moisidis, Tiarna Corrie, Elana De Koning, Erin Curtis, Indi Hansen, Lola O’Connor (absent) who did a wonderful job of sharing some of the history and meaning of Anzac Day with the remaining students, along with Charli Hocking & Tiarna Corrie who performed the National Anthem.
Our school believes it is important that our students, as young Australians, are given the opportunity to learn about a significant part of our nation’s history and to be appreciative that we live in a country where respect and inclusion are highly valued by the vast majority of Australians.
I would also like to thank Mr Morgan for coordinating this important event, Mr Hudson & Ms Jenny Donnelly for their music and tech support, and congratulate all our students for the respectful attention they displayed throughout the ceremony.
Open Night Report
On Tuesday night our school hosted an Open Night for interested families of current Year 6 students who are considering enrolling at Merbein P-10 for Year 7 in 2022. We were pleased that so many families from many local primary schools took the time to visit and learn more about the great learning environment we provide for our students at Merbein P10 College.
I would like to thank staff for supporting Tuesday's activity and the many students who helped in the classrooms, presented or performed at the official welcome or acted as hosts and guides.
Finally, I would like to thank parents and families who took the time to visit and find out more about our great school.
NAPLAN
The NAPLAN Testing Program will be held at the college starting Tuesday 11th May and concluding Thursday 13th May. Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 will complete the tests over these three days which are based around language conventions, writing, reading comprehension and maths.
No one at the school knows the exact content of the tests and they are marked externally. Despite this, teachers have been preparing students, by ensuring the skills likely to be tested are learned.
If any parents wish to withdraw their child from any of the tests they should contact their child’s Learning Centre Leader or Mr Morgan who will provide a form for parents to sign. If students are not officially withdrawn, then they will be required to sit the testing regime.
Year 9 NAPLAN Certificates of Achievement
A new feature of the NAPLAN assessment is being launched this year, with the award of Year 9 Certificates of Achievement.
The new certificates aim to celebrate and recognise the importance of both excellence and learning growth. Beginning in 2021, Year 9 students who achieve outstanding results or who significantly improve their results in NAPLAN tests will receive a NAPLAN Certificate of Achievement.
The certificates will be awarded for two categories of achievement:
* Category one: the achievement of excellence through getting a result in the top band for reading or numeracy, or both.
* Category two: the achievement of outstanding learning growth through improving by two or more bands between the NAPLAN Year 7 and Year 9 tests for reading or numeracy, or both. For more information about the new certificate and measures for learning growth, refer to Year 9 NAPLAN certificates of achievement on the Department’s website.
Student Attitude to School Surveys
These surveys are completed annually by all students from Grade 4 to Year 10 in schools throughout Victoria. The results are tabulated and then compared with results from all the other schools in the state, providing our school with valuable feedback.
These surveys will be completed in the school in late May, early June and take approximately half an hour to complete.
New Signage
As part of our School Wide Positive Behaviours approach at Merbein P-10 College we have had some additional signage put up in the Learning Centres and out on the basketball court area. The signage, as you can see below, prominently displays our school values of Respect, Responsibility & Quality. These values underpin everything that takes place at the college and we wanted to ensure they were proudly displayed across the college for all staff, students, parents and visitors to see.
We also added some signage to acknowledge the importance of our House Teams which are now proudly displayed on the basketball shelter posts. Throughout the year students will be recognised for their positive behaviours and contributions to the college by being awarded points towards their overall House total.
