Principal's Report
Building works around the school
Gallery between the portable classrooms
Over the last couple of years, we have been planning for a gallery to be built between the portable classrooms near the library. This is the area where the following classes are located - 3KR, 3NK, 3JE, 2SE. The gallery will include a new raised roof with windows along one side.The current concrete floor will be levelled and carpet laid on it. All entrances of the area will be completely enclosed making it an extended learning space to be used by the students in these classrooms. The building works for the gallery will commence in the school holidays and it is planned that it will be completed ready for Term 1, 2020. The current classes in these areas will be relocated while the building works take place. They will be relocated as follows: 2SE to the community room, 3KR to the Manuka building, 3NK and 3JE to the library. As there will be two classes located in the library, during Term 4, the library will be unavailable for classes to use. However, it will be open before school (8:15am - 8:45am) and after school (3:30pm - 4:00pm) everyday so students can borrow books to read.
Inclusive schools playground
Milgate PS was successful in our application for an Inclusive Schools Grant to develop the area near the Year 2 portable classrooms. In this area one of the current playgrounds will be replaced with a new playground and the area further developed with interesting places for students to play. While the builders are here they will also install some new playground equipment at the end of the synthetic basketball court which will provide extended playground activities. This section of equipment will be funded from the money raised at the school fete last year. The new playground works are due to commence on 4 November and be completed by the end of the year.
Musical
The Year 5 and 6 students have been working hard over this last term practising each week for their musical production ‘Mulan Jr’. Disney’s Mulan Jr. is a heartwarming celebration of culture, honor, and the fighting spirit. The score includes favorites from the film like “Reflection” and “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” as well as new songs written for the stage version. The ‘Mulan Jr’ production will take place at East Doncaster Secondary College Performing Arts Theatre on Wednesday and Thursday nights next week. Tickets are available through the school.
Monday Assembly | 2:30pm
On Monday Sonja Terpstra, the Eastern Metropolitan member of parliament in the Victorian Legislative Council, will be visiting Milgate. Sonja will be presenting an award to one of our students, Fiona H in Year 5. Fiona entered the ‘Parliament Prize’ competition and created a 90 second video with a statement to make to parliament. Her video was about ‘Homelessness’ and won 2nd prize from 589 students who entered the competition. This is a fantastic achievement. Her video was played in parliament for all the members to see and yesterday she went to parliament to be presented with her prize.
Sonja will also be ‘turning the sod’ (digging the first hole) for the start of the Inclusive playground that will be constructed later this year.
Chinese student visit from our sister school in Beijing, China
7 October - 11 October
In the first week of Term 4, we will have 12 students and 4 teachers visiting Milgate from our sister school in China. The school is: Experimental Primary School of Beijing Normal University http://eng.eps.bnu.edu.cn/. They will arrive on Monday 7 October (first day of Term 4) and there will be a special welcome assembly on the Monday afternoon. The Chinese students will be hosted by some of our Milgate families for 3 nights. They will come to school during the day and work with our students in the Year 5 and 6 classrooms. The teachers will visit classrooms and learn about our curriculum. We will all learn from each other and share ideas about the education in both of our schools. Thank you to the families who will be hosting the students and also to parents providing lunches and interpreting for the Chinese teachers each day. It is a wonderful opportunity for us all to learn from each other and increase our global connections.
Amazing sporting achievement
Congratulations to the Year 6 Boys Tee Ball team who won the SSV state Tee ball finals this week. What an amazing achievement. Well done to all the boys.
Canteen Last Day | Term 3 | Tue 17 Sep
Due to the Musical next week, the canteen will be closed for lunch orders and window sales on Wednesday 18, Thursday 19 and Friday 20 September. The last day for lunch orders and window sales will be Tuesday 17 September.
Chess Club | Competition Winners
Congratulations to the winners of the Chess Club Tournaments:
Frank's Chess Group
Gold: Jasper P
Silver: Alston J
Bronze: Eren S & Sourav G
Fergus' Chess Group
Gold: Christopher M
Silver: Samuel F
Bronze: Jonathon Y
Art Exhibition
Over the last three terms the Milgate students have been busy investigating, exploring and creating in their visual art lessons. All the work that they have produced will be on show at Milgate’s inaugural Art Exhibition next term. The opening evening will be in the stadium on Wednesday 30th October between 5.30 and 7.30pm with alternative viewing available on the following day between 9am and 5pm. The students are very excited to show the community the amazing artwork they have produced and I encourage all of the school community to support them for this fantastic evening. RSVP for the event will be via a free Trybooking Event, details of which will be posted on Compass next week.
Olivia Siddaway and Katie Jacobs
End of term | Early Dismissal 2.30pm
This will be the last newsletter for Term 3. The term finishes next Friday 20 September and the students will be dismissed at 2:30pm on that day.
It has been a fantastic end to a very busy Term 3. In addition to the incredible academic learning that has taken place across the school, students have developed a range of other integral learning skills through participation in camps, excursions, musical, sport, etc . We wish everyone a wonderful, happy and safe holiday break.