Welcome!

Welcome to the first edition of our MPS Newsletter for 2019. Please ensure that you regularly read this fortnightly newsletter, as key information is communicated to you in this way. Our staff are committed to strengthening the home/school partnership and of course, communication is the key. Information is also sent regularly via Compass. Please check your Compass settings to ensure all information can be sent to you. If unsure, please check in at the Office.

BUILDING RESILIENCE IN CHILDREN

We welcomed our new Foundation cohort last Thursday and it was wonderful to see all

62 "Monty Marvels" at Assembly this week. We are already so proud of how they have settled into school life! We were fortunate to have Chris Daicos (Educational Consultant), speak to our Foundation families last week about "Building Resilience in Children".

As parents, Chris urges us all to encourage our kids to love learning and make friends by:

TO let our kids do things for themselves and not do things for them;

TO let children try things for themselves;

TO let our children fail;

TO let our children talk for themselves, don't speak for then;

TO work with our children to discover solutions to problems - don't jump in to rescue them or suggest how to fix situations;

TO have a life away from our children;

TO encourage our child's strengths and talents;

TO develop children's social and emotional learning;

TO help children consider the consequences of their decisions;

TO engage in conversations that encourage children to put themselves into the shoes of others;

TO encourage children to have a variety of friends in a variety of contexts.

Amy & Geoff - (parents of Caitlin - Foundation C):

"The 2019 Foundation parent body, having made it (just!) through drop off Number 1, were fortunate to be introduced that morning to the erudite and ebullient Chris Daicos. Demonstrating with clarity and humour our triumphs and, ahem, possible shortcomings, in the course of readying kids for school, Chris’s presentation on building resilience in children offered a refreshing review on how to frame the future, grasp daily opportunities to foster our kids’ social competence and their capacity to problem solve for themselves. The message of how to trust and partner with our teachers and school to achieve that autonomy was heartening. We left armed with a range of tools with which to successfully navigate parenting a primary student for the next seven years."

Notes from Chris's presentation can be accessed on the Chris Daicos' page at the end of this newsletter.

THE RESILIENCE PROJECT

We are fortunate to have the opportunity to continue to build our resilience capabilities as a community, as we have recently forged a partnership with 'The Resilience Project'. Watch this space for further information! https://theresilienceproject.com.au/

MEET & GREET

I know that many of you had a chance to "Meet and Greet" your child's class teacher at our Welcome BBQ last week. It was a lovely, informal setting and it was wonderful to see so many people getting to know one another.

We have made some changes to the our interview/reporting schedule this year, with the aim to improve communication in regard to student progress. We have replaced the traditional "Meet and Greet" interview, which was usually held in Week 3 or 4, with a Parent Information Evening. Please make the time to attend next Wednesday 13th February. Teachers will be hosting a session at each Year Level, with the view of presenting a yearly overview. I am sure that you will find these sessions very informative and help you to further understand some of the systems we have in place here at MPS .

Foundation - 6:30pm in Miss Zoe's room

Grade 1 & 2 - 6:30pm in the Library

Grade 3 & 4 - 7pm in the NEW portable

Grade 5 & 6 - 7pm in the 5/6 classroom

Your child's 2019 class teacher has spent a considerable amount of time with your child's 2018 teacher, handing over important information and data. Feedback from last year, told us that parents and staff wanted more time discussing student progress. Therefore, we have added into the calendar a Parent/Teacher interview at the end of Term 1, which will focus on student progress. However, as always, if you need to touch base with your child's class teacher, please don't hesitate to speak to our Office staff and they will set up a convenient, mutual meeting time.

Important Reporting Dates:

Parent/Teacher Interviews - Wednesday 3rd April, 12pm -7pm (detailed information to come)

Semester 1 Reports - distributed at the end of Term 2.

Student-led Conferences - early Term 3.

Semester 2 Reports- distributed at the end of Term 4.

PARENTS & FRIENDS

I would like to invite everyone to our first Parents and Friends meeting following Assembly this coming Monday 11th February, in the Kitchen. This will be an informal meeting where we will chat over a cuppa and run through some events that will take place this year.

BUILDING WORKS

There were some major building works over the holiday period. Our new portable was completed throughout the break. Special thanks to Michael Smith for his support and guidance with this project. Michael also built and installed the cupboards and benches in the portable - we are very grateful! The students in 3/4A and 3/4D are thrilled with their new learning space.

We are still waiting on the sails that will be attached to the gigantic poles around the little adventure playground! These poles were installed over the break as well. Huge thanks to Dave Koolstra for overseeing this project and giving up his time to do some heavy, manual labour!

SUPPORTING OUR FAMILIES

February 2019, marks the 10 year anniversary of the 2009 Victorian bush fires, one of the worst natural disasters Victoria has experienced. It is a time to remember those who died and the devastation caused to communities.

We would like to reassure you that our School can provide guidance on support services available to parents, students and families who may be seeking assistance during these difficult times.

It is normal to have strong reactions following a distressing or frightening event and as the anniversary approaches, people may begin to feel grief and experience strong emotional reactions.

To find out further information about support services, please feel free to contact me: worsam.janene.j@edumail.vic.gov.au

Anyone experiencing problems or changes in behaviour should contact their doctor, mental health professional, or Lifeline for help and support.

Student and parent support:

Parent line : phone 132289
Kids Helpline: phone 1800 55 1800

All the best for a great week!

Janene and Kristie