From Marie

The year is underway and we are so excited to have everyone back here, in the classrooms and playgrounds ready for the new school year.  The weather has been kind to us so far with the very hot weather behind us.  We hope you all had a very enjoyable break and are ready and refreshed for the new year.  

There are new students and families who have commenced at Mullum Primary School.   In addition to our new Foundation families, we welcome:  Cayden and Massi (1M), Miley (1G), Frankie (2R), Lil and Raphi (3/4E), River and Zaaviyaan (3/4B), and Anthony (5/6C) who started with us late in 2022.  We hope you are all settling in well. 

Many of you would remember that we farewelled staff at the end of last year, as they moved off to start their families, retire or transferred to leadership roles.  This provided us with the opportunity to bring new staff into the classrooms at Mullum.  The following is a the staffing team for 2023:

Classroom teachers

Foundation - Narelle Sencek, Lauren Lee

Grade 1 - Monique Gleeson, Emma McCann

Grade 2 - Matthew Knight, Marnie Ross

Grade 3/4 - Helen Boustead, Elizabeth Iacona, Nicole Younes

Grade 5/6 - Phoebe O'Shaughnessy, Sam Martin, Pablo Caceres

Specialist teachers

Physical Education - Fiona Pumpa

Visual Arts - Deanne Lawn

Italian - Angela Zerella

Performing Arts - Mark Nunis

Tutors - Sharon Moloney (Grade 3 & 4), Kate Hickingbotham (Grade 5 & 6)

Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden - Ros Hill

Literacy Intervention - Karen Wilson (Grade 1 & 2)

English as an Additional Language support & First Aid - Lou Brooks

Library Technician - Helen Reed

Education Support - Helen Reed, Lou Brooks, Karen Wilson, Angela Graffen, Elise Heeger, Anthony Nero, Bek Mitchell, Lachlan Fraser, Sophie Kirkwood, Bella Curran, Lisa McDonald, Sonia Cross, Kim Dagher

Chaplain- Nelson Tlangchan

Office - Kate Raaymakers and Kelli Heriot

Leadership - Jenny Verheijden (Assistant Principal) and Marie Beale (Principal)

Daily Timetable

Just a quick run down on the daily timetable for all students.

8:45 - Arrive at school and head to the basketball

8:50 - Bell for students to head up to their classrooms

9:00 - Session 1

9:50 - Session 2

10:40 - Recess eating time

10:50 - Recess

11:10 - Session 3

12:00 - Session 4

12:50 - Lunch eating time

1:00 - Lunch break

1:20 - Lunchtime activities start

1:50 -  Session 5

2:40 - Session 6

3:30 - End of the school day.

Attendance

Being at school everyday, on time and ready to learn is so important.  To be in the classroom at 9:00 means that your child is there to hear all the instructions for day.  In all our classes students commence their day with literacy: reading, writing, spelling, speaking and listening.  Literacy is a very big part of all class lessons with about 10 hours per week dedicated to this task.  Even missing 10-15min at the start of the day can impact learning in these academic areas.  The Department of Education believes that a student who misses five days, or more, per term is at risk in terms of their academic learning.  If attending school is a challenge for you or your child, please reach out, we are here to help.

Compass

Compass is up and running.  You will have already received a few notices from us.  We use Compass to communicate with all families, send reminders, school reports, fortnightly newsletters, excursions, payments and so on.  We ask that you access the information and stay abreast with information, you can also inform us of any absences on the day, or future absences.  If you have trouble logging in, have forgotten your password, then please touch base with the office and they will help you out.

Lunchtime activities

Each lunchtime there are a range of activities on that your child can attend, with no cost:

Daily - Library, outdoor games on the lawn area outside the classrooms,  Lego Club

Monday - Tech Club

Tuesday - Garden Club

Wednesday  - Ukulele Club

Thursday - The Gaming Club (board games)

Friday - Sport Club

Other lunch time activities that are paid:

Wednesday - Tennis

Friday - Chess 

Dance classes coming soon

Photograph Permissions

Tomorrow we will be sending home the Photographic Permission form for all students. This form provides you with a lot of information regarding the collection and purpose of the photos.  The form is an opt-out form, which means if you do not consent to your child being photographed then you need to return the form to school at your earliest convenience.  Please check school bags tomorrow.

Book Packs and Payments

Thank you so much to all the families who have made a contribution towards their child's book packs and fees.  Opportunities to pay are still available through Compass or through the office.  

New blinds

Windows in all the classrooms in the Learning Centre have been fitted with blinds over the school holiday period.  Purchasing and installing these blinds was made possible by the contributions families have made to the school through the Building Fund.  Thank you all.  

Parking, traffic and using the crossings

Thank you to all the families who are following the parking instructions that allow for the safe delivery and collection of students.  Our Crossing supervisors and neighbours have noted that some children are dashing between parked cars on Mullum Mullum Road to get to the other side where parents are waiting.  Earlier this week there was a near miss with a child dashing out when another car was coming.  Please teach and encourage your children to use the supervised crossings at all times.   

For many years there has been an agreed practice in the mornings to drive north up Panfield Avenue, then go across Wonga Road, before heading down Byron Street to continue on your journey home or to work.  This has ensured good flow of traffic and ensured all children could arrive at school safely.  I strongly encourage you not to attempt a U-turn in driveways along Panfield Ave as it is very congested and not safe for children travelling on the footpaths. 

Chickens & holiday roster

Thank you to the families who rostered themselves on to looking after our chickens over the holidays.  They looks so well fed and we hope you enjoyed the eggs they produced. Thank you also for watering the vegetable garden!  Each week at assemblies on Fridays we will be drawing names from a barrel for children to take home half a dozen eggs free range eggs.  We hope you enjoy them!

Chess Club

Tomorrow we will be hosting a Chess Club trial with a company called Chess for Kids. This Club is open to all Grade 1-Grade 6 students, and to all levels of ability.  Those students who are interested will be invited to a trial tomorrow and will bring home a form for you to express interest in your child participating in weekly chess lessons at school on a Friday lunchtime.