We have had another wonderful fortnight at Mitcham Primary School. We have many events scheduled so we have carefully reviewed all upcoming dates and events and have summarised them on the important dates page in this newsletter. Please be sure to carefully review these dates.

Campfire Conversation

Last week Mitcham Primary School and Mullauna College had the opportunity to host a Campfire Conversation. Our schools were selected as Campfire Conversations hosts by the Victorian Department of Education and Training, with the aim of the event for the schools to listen to stories and feedback and to connect with our First Nations students, families and community members. We were lucky enough to have Dion from the Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place perform a smoking ceremony and Welcome to Country for our school.

The Department of Education is undertaking a series of Campfire Conversations in schools to help set the agenda for the self-determination in education reform. A small number of schools were selected to run these conversations with our Aboriginal families, and we want to acknowledge the important role that schools play in providing opportunities for all, including our Indigenous students. We must acknowledge schools haven’t always been safe places for First Nations students. Indigenous perspectives haven’t always been taken into account or understood so we really enjoyed the opportunity to really listen to our First Nations families.

Garden Party

We have lots of new plants all around our school grounds and we need our students help to look after them. Last week Judith S shared details and images of the changes to our gardens, as well as our students and their families hard at work. Judith spoke about the importance of using paths and steppingstones to move around the school and to be mindful of not stepping on our new plants. We hope that all our students will become ‘Garden Guardians’!

Thank you to Judith and our Garden Guardians for all your efforts.

Disco

Oh what a night! The music pumped and our students loved dancing the night away at our annual Disco last Friday night. Thank you so very much to our incredible fundraising committee for running yet another wonderfully successful disco, I know it is something the children look forward to all year. I would especially like to thank Aysha Rowe (Evander’s mum) for all the hours of organising she put into ensuring the night was so enjoyable and such a success.

Three Way Conferences

On Monday the 21st August, we have our 3 Way Conferences, on this day run with a variation to school hours and children are only required to attend for their scheduled conference.

Three Way Conferences are held face to face and you will need to come to your child’s classroom for your session time. If you are unable to attend in person we can provide you with a Webex link for your conference.

There will be a 'waiting area' where you will need to sit before your teacher comes and collects you for your session time. At times, the appointments can run slightly over time so please be patient with us.

At Mitcham Primary School, our 3 Way Conferences are a chance for us to celebrate what your child has achieved so far this year, what they are proud of and what they would like to work on.

We will distribute the link for bookings early next week.

Wishing you all a lovely weekend!

Erin

Preps