Principal's Report 

Greetings Families of MPWPS,

ITS SHROVE TUESDAY OR PANCAKE TUESDAY! YUMMY

Last week I had the privilege of joining our swimming team of students and staff at the Queens Park Swimming Centre.  Whilst a little chilly in and out of the water our students gave their best and came third overall. It was encouraging to see the children swim hard, give effort and congratulate others who also did well.  It was a pity that there couldn’t be spectators but some parents watched through the fence.  Well done to all.

Rapid Antigen Tests the next delivery

We have taken delivery of round three of the RAT Tests and these are being delivered to classrooms as I type.  Again they will be in a sealed envelope with directions clearly printed on the envelope.  Please take time to reacquaint yourself with the routines of the testing and the reporting if needed. Thankyou to all our families for their continued support, understanding and management at home of this routine. 

The Basket Tea is back!

This Friday we welcome our families to the Basket Tea after a short period of extinction!  It starts at between 5 and 5.30 with class teachers meeting and greeting but not staying. It is a community event for our families.  We will have room numbers out just to guide where you can sit. This came from a recommendation from parents so we will see how this goes.  You can sit where you like really but if you want to get to know the other families in the class sitting together is perfect.  Social distancing and vaccination certificates will be required. Pease check-in at the gate. It's BYO everything. Unfortunately, we can’t provide the usual items at this stage. Hope to see you there!

Grounds open on the weekends

Yes we are open on the weekend. I have discovered that some weekends the grounds have been locked all day. We have now clarified with the security firm that on Sat and Sun they will open and close for us.  Thankyou to the young adult who assisted me with unlocking on Saturday.  We did need to manipulate the lock to undo it and open the gate. 

Moonee Vale Instrumental Music Program

(MVIMP) Due to the current School Operation Guide and the recommendation of not mixing cohorts of students we will not be commencing lessons in this program until Term 2.  The tutors who work across many schools could put themselves and us at risk by commencing. The tutors will be preparing some pre-video sessions and completing other tasks during the weeks leading to the term break.  I thank you, your child/ren and the tutors for their patience and understanding of this current situation. 

Soundgarage is a little different and the tutors they provide (the wonderful Anne for example) only work here and so the situation is a little easier to manage.  We are awaiting the COVID plan from Soundgarage so we can ensure the safety of all. Please watch for the COMPASS push about their starting day this term. 

Parent Contributions for 2022

This year as part of the optional non-compulsory items is a Wellbeing contribution.  This is to part fund a provisional psychologist who will work across the school to support student wellbeing.  Some of the support could be in counselling, social skill groups working on executive functioning and generally touching base and recentering students as they need. The cost of such a person to work in our school is $12,000 for the year.   An outside company oversees the provisional requirements and supports the person as needed. It’s exciting so I hope we can offer this opportunity to our students. Happy and supported students learn best. 

School Council Elections

Thankyou to the parents and staff members who have indicated their desire to be part of this important governance structure at the school.  We are still looking for one parent and one staff member by close of business TODAY!

Please give this your urgent attention. 

Face masks for visitors/parents onsite

The School Operation Guide dated Feb 28 states that face masks are to be worn by visitors inside any of the school buildings, and outside if social distancing cannot be achieved.

Schools must advise visitors and volunteers they must adhere to COVIDSafe requirements – including vaccination, physical distancing, face mask requirements, cough etiquette, and good hand hygiene.

I hope this clarifies for those parents who have asked. 

Well, that’s about it from me. Until we meet in person and that could be at the Basket Tea on Friday night.

Kind regards

Kerri Simpson

Principal