Principal's Report
Greetings Parents, Carers, Staff and Students of MPWPS,
Week 10 and we are still striding forward and hitting our straps so to speak! Term 4 is always a BIG term as we cherish the last weeks of our Year 6 students, and welcome with excitement our new beginning students who start their learning journey with us. For our existing students (in the middle of this ‘sandwich’) it is also an exciting time for them as they transition through the year levels, making and gaining new friendships and deepening their learning in all areas.
Today the students ‘stepped up’ to their new 2021 classes. There was an excited ‘buzz’ around the school and from all accounts the new classes are going to be great! As Principal I monitor the classes until April to ensure all are settled and learning well.
Year 6 Graduation December 15th
The 5/6 team have been planning and working on our Graduation program for 2020. The first part of this is Circus which will be filmed this week. The easing of restrictions still hasn’t helped us to have parents onsite. With circus the event will be filmed and provided to families for viewing at home opportunity. Special thanks to the 5/6 staff who have been the ringmasters assisting with the practice and organisation, and to the enthusiastic students who have really made the best of this situation.
The Graduation evening itself is next week and again the easing of restrictions hasn’t helped us get parents onto our site. With the students, parents and staff, our indoor space just isn’t big enough and the outdoor unpredictability isn’t worth the risk. We plan to go with our existing plan to have parents attend for photos before and after the event, and we will ‘live’ stream the ceremony into homes. It’s a different year and we are making the very best of the situation with these arrangements. We have been able to replicate, as close as possible, the graduation evening of the past. Collectively we can make this a happy and memorable event.
Parent Payments for this year and next
I remind parents that we are still collecting payments for 2020. It is easy in this year particularly to have let this slip. The office can take your payment using a variety of methods. At last look 65% of our families have contributed with their payment for this year. In past years we have had around 85-90%. It is easy to forget, especially this year.
The 2021 Parent Payment schedule has been circulated to you, and we are accepting payment from now until the 5th of March.
We have added an additional option for payment through COMPASS. This makes a one stop convenient way for parents.
The Parent Payment Schedule is in a different format as per the Departments guidelines. In the Voluntary section the first item is for the materials for programs outside of the classroom. Whilst it has to be in the voluntary section, we do require this payment to support the rich programs we offer. These include Creative Arts, the Year 6 project, Hall, equipment for PE, the rich experience of our Japanese Immersion program, photocopy paper and ink etc. The ICT contribution for 2021 will support the change from IPad in the senior years to a computer (yoga). Unfortunately, primary schools do not receive grants for devices, so this contribution will help us replace and update. Please consider the items in the Voluntary section.
Wicking Beds
Last week the 3/4 classes worked alongside Darryl to make wicking beds in the wooden boxes in Jack’s Paddock. This task was part of learning that the students in this area had been investigating. It was great to see the gloves on and the layers of the beds being developed. The children in the 3/4 classes have fully researched the structure of a wicking bed, and could help you at home to construct one if you were looking to grown your own! Well done to the team of students and teachers. Thank-you to Darryl (one of our past parents) for his expert help and guidance.
Reporting to Parents
During the term you will have received items that illustrated your child’s learning in the areas of Numeracy (number and measurement), Literacy (Reading and Writing) and Inquiry. Continuous Reporting gives a continued ‘snapshot’ of how your child is going. Added to this report we offered the Progressive Report, which provides a report on your child’s effort to their learning and their behaviour during class time. These two elements are so important. Giving effort makes you the best learner you can be! The rubric we use describes the types of behaviours demonstrated at each of the
below, at and above markers. It is an important conversation to have with your child around the characteristics at each marker, so they can see the behaviours expected and manage themselves to achieve more in these areas. In some schools the Progressive Report is completed twice per term. The progressive report is a way to encourage and support self-management. Please take the time to read this with your child.
The end of Semester report will be uploaded to COMPASS on Friday December 11 at 4.00pm. Please ensure you have your parent COMPASS logon for this event. A printed copy will be provided upon request to the General Office.
Update on Staffing
I am pleased to inform you that the following teachers are continuing with us for 2021 replacing teachers on leave: Ms Elizabeth Kandiliotis, Mr Tim Cannon, Ms Kim Satchell, Ms Naomi Turner, and Ms Kellie Meehan. Mr Tim Harwood and Ms Julie Lanyon continue to support classes across the school.
We say farewell to Ms Deeza Walsh who has gained an ongoing teaching position at Edgars Creek PS. We say a temporary farewell to Ms Mandy Jones who is having a year teaching at Roxburgh Rise PS and goodbye to Nadia Lopez who is moving to Newlands PS. Good luck and enjoy a new setting.
We welcome back Ms Lisa McLachlan. Lisa has had a year at another school and returns to us as a substantive senior teacher. Lisa has strong numeracy knowledge, is undertaking further study in this area and so this will help us with our support of learning in this area.
Finally, it is with mixed feelings that I inform you that our Assistant Principal Mrs Barbara Mc Kenzie (nee Springfield) has been successful in obtaining an acting Principal position in the Northern Region. This position commences next year. Barbara has been at MPWPS for the past 4-5 years working in support of students and staff across the school. Having a school of her own is the next step in her leadership journey. The position is until the end of Semester 1 2021. Thank-you for all your work at MPWPS Barb, we will miss you.
Our collective thanks go to the staff leaving and staying for their efforts this year: one of the most exhausting.
Well that is about it from me. Hoping to see you at the gate sometime soon.
Sincerely
Kerri Simpson
Principal
Lost property
We have some LOST PROPERTY in the corner of the Gym. Each day this week, the items will be on display just outside the Gym near the entry to the General Office. Please have a look as the usual process applies: not collected at the end of the term it is cleaned and donated.
Starting Days 2021
Friday January 29: All students in years 1-6
Wednesday Feb 3: All Foundation students