From the Principal’s Desk

Together we learn, lead and achieve.

Please note this will be the last newsletter for 2020

Dear Monty South Community,

Step Up, classes and changes for the 2021 process

We have finally finished Step Up for 2020 and our sights are focused on finishing the school year and taking a break before the 2021 school year begins.

We found setting up all 30 classes took an inordinate amount of time and effort, even though most of the classes remained very similar. There were slight changes across each year level as we accommodated parent requests, friendship requests, teacher pairings and evening total numbers across classes. When we make classes, we consider friendship groups, spread of abilities, gender, social and emotional needs.

In a Compass note to parents on return from lockdown to school, I did state that moving to 2021, we would try as much as possible to keep 2020 classes together, barring parent requests and student friendship choices. So we have been rather mystified that despite the clearly defined process, we had a large number of requests – after Step Up – to change classes. Most of these requests to change were a direct result of parent requests for separations, which caused enormous ramifications for other students.

Unfortunately, by allowing parents to make direct requests, it has not been in the best interests of our students and the cohesiveness of the school.

Therefore from 2021, we will stop accepting parent requests. We will still send home the friendship triangle which allows parents to work WITH their child/ren to add names of three students with whom they work well and would be happy to be in a class with. They will be guaranteed one.

Of course, if there are particular issues or concerns, communicate with teachers throughout the year. Then teachers have that knowledge and will take it into consideration.

If there has been a concern from previous years, often the maturity of students developing and the different mix of children and teachers actually make it a non-issue or an opportunity to develop and utilise the new friendship/problem solving/social/emotional skills and strategies they learn.

As you know, we are working with the Resilience Project next year and this will help the students enormously in developing those strategies to problem solve, ease conflict and friendship issues.

Semester 2 progress reports

All students will receive their Semester 2 reports digitally via Compass on Friday 18 December. You will have an opportunity to discuss the contents of this report next year at our early February parent, teacher student conferences.

It is an understatement to say this year has been challenging and whilst many students flourished with home schooling, many found it difficult. Additionally, teachers found it difficult to accurately say how much progress some of their students made. So they will err on the side of caution rather than inflate a student result. Many students may only make six months progress in a year but that is why we will have tutoring programs and learning support in place to assist these students to make the progress we would normally expect them to do. With our new Learning Support team and overseen by Executive, we are confident, all children will be back to their pre-COVID abilities ASAP.

Student leadership positions

School Captain leadership speeches, voting and interviews are complete. Staff also voted and their votes are used as part of the four part process – application, speech, interview and voting.

Our candidates for all other leadership positions have also completed the interview process, with our current student leadership members comprising part of the panel.

It has been a very rewarding experience to witness the confidence of our current leadership team when assisting in this process. I also have to say the 2021 candidates have also been exceptional and it will be a very hard choice to make. Especially as we have 120 Grade 5 students and a small group of captains. We are so proud of ALL students who took a risk and participated in this process. They are already achievers in being part of the process.

Parent payments

Parent payment notices for 2021 will be sent out this week outlining essential items, planned excursions and incursions and voluntary contributions. This year School Council approved sending out a yearly planner at the beginning of the year, so parents can see what is coming up and set their budget accordingly.

School councils can only request payments from parents under three categories:

1. Essential Student Learning Items

Essential Student Learning Items are items and activities which the school deems as essential for student learning, without which, students would be unable to access the school’s delivery of the standard curriculum.

2. Optional Items

Optional Items are items and activities that enhance or broaden the schooling experience of students and are offered in addition to the standard curriculum. Students access these on a user pays basis.

Optional Items include non-curriculum-based school events, optional excursions and camps, optional sporting or music programs and materials that don’t relate to the standard curriculum such as school magazines.

3. Voluntary Contributions

School councils can invite parents to make a voluntary contribution to support the school. Voluntary Contributions can be for general or clearly explained specific purposes that relate to the school council’s functions and objectives. Where a Voluntary Contribution is requested for a specific purpose, the funds may only be used for that purpose.

For us at MSPS, we have a Library Fund and a Building Fund that are tax deductible. However, we are limited in how we use the Building Fund.

The original intention of the fund which, was set up way back in 2010, was to build a new hall. Then the BER and Kevin Rudd happened and now we have a full size gym, which brings in additional funds by hiring it out to the Eltham Wildcats.

So with our old building we set our sights on a new toilet block. Then more lobbying and with Vicki Ward’s support, we now have a brand new building and new toilets.

We had hoped to be able to use the fund for playground equipment but this is not allowed under the Australian Taxation Office guidelines.

So now, we plan to use the funding to build a lock up bike shed, next to the French portable at the end of the staff car park. Plans have been drawn up and work will start next year.

Additionally, we will also be purchasing 12 security cameras to be placed around the school and we are looking to replace the broken and rusted covered walkways outside some of the portables. Other plans include building of a small toilet block down near the Grade 4 and 5 portables. The Student Action Leaders have been lobbying for toilets down that end as they say it is too far to come all the way to the new building.

Final assembly

The final school assembly on Thursday 17 December (last day of term for students) will be held at 9.30am. This will allow a number of farewells to our Grade 6 students, announcement of 2021 school captains and various other presentations. As it will be an indoors function and numbers are capped at 300, we will not be able to cater for parents onsite but we will be recording the event

Final curriculum and planning day – Friday 18 December

On the last day of the school year, staff will be busy planning together in their teams for the 2021 school year.

Thank you for 2020

It is an understatement to say 2020 has been busy and challenging year. As the year closes, there are a number of people I have to acknowledge. I would also like to recognise and acknowledge the efforts of the staff. They work so hard day in and day out, and in this extraordinary year of COVID-19, they faced many extra challenges.

Teachers, aides and education support staff in the office spend many unseen hours working on and developing curriculum and activities that support the best educational experiences for MSPS students.

I would like to express my appreciation to all School Councillors for their support and advice throughout the 2020 school year – thank you Marcus Walsh (President), Shayley Holland (Vice President), Vanessa Edwards (Treasurer), Amanda McDonald (Minute Secretary), Adam Bird, Cecelia Ramsdale, Matt Cross, Danielle Lee, Jane Plunkett, Emma Di Pietro, Nghiem Tran, Merriel Hayes, Paula Hogan and Mitchell Dintinosante.

I would also like to thank Parents and Friends and the FETE Committee for their amazing hard work this year and their fundraising efforts at the beginning of the year. It is easy to forget we started the year off with a big bang and one that brought our community together for one last hurrah before shutdown. It was a wonderful day and it remains a true highlight for 2020.

Together we are better. I really believe the best way children achieve their potential is when parents and the school work together for the best outcomes.

Finally, to the Executive Team, Merriel Hayes, Monique Rankin (Learning Specialist) and Paula Hogan (Business Manager). They were wonderful in their consistent and unwavering support they gave to the staff and myself this year.

As Merriel departs for long service leave for 2021, I thank her and congratulate her on 40 years of teaching service, 30 of those with Montmorency South Primary School. We wish her a happy, healthy and satisfying retirement in 2021.

In 2021, we will face a number of challenges and we will tackle them as we always do with good humour, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn and be the best we possibly can be.

There are many things to be proud of, with all we achieved together this year. So thank you to everyone in the MSPS community who endured and rose to the challenge in a year we will never forget.

We hope you have a joyous festive season with your families and friends. Have a safe and relaxing holiday and we look forward to seeing you all back in 2021!

Best wishes

Leanne Sheean

Term dates 2021

Term 1: 28th January-1st April (staff return 27th January)

Foundation students return Friday 29th January. Staggered starts which will be sent out in January.

Term 2: 19th April-25th June

Term 3: 12th July-17th September

Term 4: 4th October-17th December-

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Medication held in first aid

Should you require your child’s medication from first aid during the school holidays, we request it is collected after school is dismissed at 3.30pm on Thursday 17 December.

For students returning in 2021, please be reminded this will need to be returned on the first day of school.

Lost property

We have a collection of unclaimed lost property at the school that we will have displayed outside the front office in the final week of school.

We encourage you to come and collect anything that belongs to your child(ren). Any unclaimed items will be donated at the end of the school year.

Chess club returns in 2021

Chess Class: Teacher Frank Meerbach

1. Mon 1 Feb 3:30pm - 4:30pm

2. Mon 8 Feb 3:30pm - 4:30pm

3. Mon 15 Feb 3:30pm - 4:30pm

4. Mon 22 Feb 3:30pm - 4:30pm

5. Mon 1 Mar 3:30pm - 4:30pm

6. Mon 15 Mar 3:30pm - 4:30pm

7. Mon 22 Mar 3:30pm - 4:30pm

8. Mon 29 Mar 3:30pm - 4:30pm

Program cost - Parent paid tuition fee of $160 per child inc GST for eight sessions. Phone 1300 424 377 to book.

Dates for your diary:

Thursday 17 December – end of Term 4, 3.30pm dismissal
Thursday 28 January – grades 1 to 6 return
Friday 29 January – Preps begin

Montmorency South PS Newsletter

Together we Learn, Lead and Achieve

Term 4, Week 11 · 16 Dec 2020

In this issue