Principal's Message

Last Day of School Timings and Assembly

School will begin early on the last day of the year. It will also finish early.

Here are the timings so you can prepare:

• 8:30am - School Begins
• 1:00pm - School Finishes

We will have a recess from 10:30am-11:00am to give the kids a break. They can bring a snack, but lunch is not required as they will go home at 1:00pm. This early finish allows staff to pack up, tidy up, move rooms and leave the spaces ready for the summer clean by the cleaners. We thank School Council for their support with these changed times as it allows staff to not have to stay until late at night packing up. Thanks to families as well for making this effort.

If the weather forecast is kind, we plan on having an outdoor last assembly where students will sit with their bags on the grass on the forecourt and listen to a few final messages. Parents will be welcome to come into the yard as long as they mask up and try to space themselves our around the perimeter. This assembly should start between 12pm-12:30pm if you want to wander in. You are welcome to come along and your child will be dismissed directly from the forecourt in an organised manner. Please listen carefully to the instructions on the day.

Build in some failure to this plan as, if the weather is not suitable, we will change the plan to suit. If we have our assembly indoors, you will not be able to attend and we ask that you stay outside the fence perimeter if this is the case. We will try to let you know via Compass the day before of the plan for Friday.

Note that Out of Hours School Care can be booked by parents from 1:00pm onwards if this early pick up is not possible. Staff will cease supervise from 1:15pm when they have other commitments (last staff meeting) so please do not be late.

Food - So Sorry, Please Don't Send This Year

We have had many parents generously offering to provide food for both staff and students. Normally, we would welcome generosity and kindness with open arms. Due to the COVID pandemic, government guidelines advise against food sharing and we must respectfully decline offers of food. We know this is sad as food is a way of acknowledging thanks. We have to put student and staff safety over the offering this year.

If you want to write a simple card - we will be most grateful. Any class parties will mean you only bring food for your own child (no sharing).

Staff in 2021

Find below the staff line up for 2021. This is open to change due to shifts in student numbers. Note your child will find out the name of your child's classroom teacher when we have our Step Up Day on Tuesday this week.

The list in the table are all of the classroom and specialist teachers. The list below are all of the ancillary staff who support student wellbeing, learning and operations.

Integration Aide: Kate Holden

Integration Aide: Hugo Dias

Integration Aide: Lucinda Short

Integration Aide: Sasha Howell

Integration Aide: Mona Salem

Multicultural Education Aide: Mandy Cater

Speech Therapy Support and MEA Support: Jennarita Calvi

Business Manager: Tess Duerden

Office Administration: Kirsty Reynolds

Office Administration: Karen Hall

Grounds: Reno Mizzi

ICT: Colin Mountney

Student Wellbeing and Second-in Charge: Matt Woolard

Principal: Noel Creece

Departing Staff in 2021 - Farewell at Assembly

There is a separate page for departing staff next up. Each one has left a personal message that we hope you enjoy. 

It is a time of dramatic change in people's lives due to COVID and 'life stuff", as well as promotion opportunities that present themselves each year in the government school system. I wish all departing staff the very best and thank them for their passion and dedication during their time at SMPS. We hope you always feel part of our family and consider our doors open. 

Whilst it is always sad to say goodbye, it is also wonderful to recognise and be grateful for the connection made to students and our community along the way. Take the time to read the stories of these wonderful people on the next page. You will all be missed, but how lovely to have met you along the way.

At our final assembly (weather permitting, we hope families can attend), we will farewell these wonderful people in person. We hope to see you there.

Tutor Learning Initiative 2021

The 2020 school year has been an extraordinary and challenging one for every school community.  Many Victorian students spent much of Terms 2 and 3 this year learning remotely and Victorian schools and their communities have made an exceptional effort to provide continuity of teaching and learning to our students during this time.

During Term 4, schools across Victoria have been focused on supporting students’ mental health and wellbeing, in addition to assisting students to readjust to on-site learning. Teachers have also been focusing on assessing student learning, addressing individual learning gaps and identifying those students who need extra support for their learning, using classroom-based observation and assessments.

We know that the remote learning experience was different for every student. While some students thrived, some students may not have engaged as fully with remote learning. For most of our students, regular high-quality teaching in 2021 will be enough to help them progress to the expected level of learning. Some students will benefit from additional intensive learning support in 2021. 

As you may be aware, in response to this, the Victorian Government is investing $250 million in the Tutor Learning Initiative to enable schools across Victoria to engage around 4,100 teachers as tutors in 2021 to support students who need extra assistance with their learning. Schools will determine how this initiative is best implemented for their students and will ensure that students will get this support in a way that minimises disruptions to other learning or school activities.

By engaging additional teachers to support children with intensive learning, classroom teachers will have greater capacity to ensure that all other students’ achievement, engagement and wellbeing needs are met, so that all students receive the support they need in 2021.

Further information about the Tutor Learning Initiative, and how it will be implemented for students who need individual learning support in our school, will be issued before students begin tutoring in 2021. 

During Term 4, schools will be working with students to understand their experience of remote learning and their return to onsite schooling.  If you are concerned about your child’s engagement in their learning, while learning at home or following their return to school please contact your school.