Principal's Report
Greetings families of MPWPS,
Week 10 of an 11-week term, where has that term gone! I know I have mentioned this before, but time is racing ahead hey!
It has been terrific to be back onsite and to have the children settling into the routines of school. It took the first weeks for the children to realise there was a full school day and that there was learning after the afternoon break! I thank all families for their support of the staff in making sure we remain safe and well by following the guidelines set down by the Chief Health Officer and communicated to you during these COVD times.
Gala Sport Days
This is a new format for our senior Interschool sport. All schools in our District come together to play the dedicated Summer and Winter sports. The teams are primarily made up of year 6 students with some from year 5. This structure for the Interschool sporting teams was at the agreement of the participating schools. Speaking to the year 6 participants they have had a great time and have appreciated the chance to play their games in this format with a range of different schools. As a result of seeing other schools at this event, our students have requested a sports uniform for our school. As we don’t have an existing sports uniform can I suggest that the yellow polo or school t-shirt be worn next time we have a Gala day. We do have some clean second-hand tops (only small sizes really) or can I suggest the children borrow a top from a friend for the day.
The Basket Tea
It was wonderful to see so many families attending the Basket Tea. The weather was kind to us and the children had a wonderful time meeting friends and running around the school out of school time. Thank you for supporting our first post COVID event and ensuring we all stayed safe by QR coding in and socially distancing. Thank you to the Parent Reps who identified themselves at the event. I hope you got to know your Parents Rep?
I have made a montage of photos for the children to view in the outside notice board near the Library. Similar photos are below.
Thank you
Thank you to Adam Wilson (father of Sienna, Jackson and Archie) who helped us out with the renovation of the GaGa pit. We had put granitic sand as the base and then it rained, leading to some creative play and a pond was shaped by the children. Granitic sand sort of sets. Adam and his machine loosened and levelled the base so that washed sand could be added as topping. Now voila! It’s ready for use again! Great work Adam.
NAPLAN 2022
This year the NAPLAN is online for all students across the state. We have had a trial of the aspects over the past weeks. The purpose of the trial is really to test ours and their network capacity. I am pleased to say our network has managed the test and our devices handled the children’s attempt. An online typing app will assist children to learn the life skill of touch typing. Not two fingers like me! Look out for the online typing opportunity. It will probably be a home study item.
Wellbeing Contribution
We have a provisional Psychologist Madison Wills join our team. Madison will be at school on a Wednesday and will be working with individuals and small groups of students. This is a proactive and preventative strategy to ensure that our students have the best learning support. Welcome Madison.
School Photos
Our annual School Photos are this THURSDAY March 31. Best smiles. School photos capture special school moments and so we need to present our best self. If you have a school uniform these items come up well in the capture and my preference is long hair tied back as is representative of all schools. There will be class, individual and family photos as in the past.
Stay and Play
We are offering a social play opportunity for younger siblings in a Stay and Play hours at school. This opportunity will be facilitated by a parent’s with early childhood experience. The venue will be the Hall area and parents will participate with their children. Please see the flyer below. I hope you will take up the opportunity to participate and build our community through this connection.
Staffing News
I offer our thanks to our PE teacher Jack for his guidance of this opportunity for our students. Jack leaves us to move to the country. We are at present looking for a replacement.
Two of our Education Support Staff (Jill and Julie) are on sick leave and we wish them both a speedy recovery.
I am having a period of Long Service Leave next term and during that time I will relinquish my position as Principal of this great school. It has been a joy and a privilege to be part of this community and to lead since 2018. I thank the dedicated and committed staff team who know the ‘work’ and structure for this to be successful. My very best and sincere wishes to all.
Until we meet in person
Your principal
Kerri Simpson
Mobile Phones
Parents are reminded that all mobile phones that come to school with students are required to be handed in at the office prior to school starting and collected at the conclusion of the school day. This includes smart watches.
Thank you.