Marlborough Primary School

Principal's Report

Open Night

What a night!  It was a buzz, seeing students excited to show off their work and learning environment to their family and friends. 

 

Our instrumental music students were a highlight, playing to the crowds walking through. I know that there were many students playing to an audience for the first time.  It was great to have the music teachers attend to support students.  Congratulations to everyone who performed!  We look forward to seeing more of your musical talents.   

 

I would also like to acknowledge our student leaders, Zach, Bailey, Kian, Isabelle, Charlette, Tahlia, Ava and Summer who confidently and proudly led school tours to some potential new families to MPS in 2023.   

 

Thank you to everyone who came along and support the night to help the MPS community create the warm, fun and friendly vibe that it was.  I special thank you to all of our staff who attended, and I know they were happy to be a part of the engaging conversations around teaching and learning at MPS.   

 

Thank you to CAMP Australia for supporting the night by cooking and providing us all with BBQ sausages.  They were yum!

 

Cross Country

Yesterday's district cross country event was a success.  All 47 MPS participants gave it their all.  Well done to all of the students who competed.  We have a number of students who competed extremely well by finishing in the top ten and therefore will go on to compete at the next stage.

 

One main highlight for me was the sportspersons that our students were.  To see and hear MPS students on the side-lines cheering all MPS students along as they passed, no matter where they were placing, they were encouraging and congratulating of each other. I was super proud of their behaviour.  A special mention goes to Sam who stopped running to help another student who fell over to stand up and keep going. This is extraordinary sportsperson.  Well done, Sam!

 

Thank you to parents too for your support on the day,  also supporting and encouraging all MPS students to do their best.

 

A special thank you to Bonny Chisholm for your work to make sure MPS were involved in this event, the excursion planning and preparing students for the 2 and 3 km running course.   

 

Working Bees

Over the past two weekends, we've had working bees and I'm sure you agree with me that our grounds are looking clean and tidy.  A very big thank you to the following families who gave their time and effort to make this happen.  

  • Haynes - Ford family
  • Barre family 
  • Ray family 
  • Arthurs family 
  • Rio Family 
  • Burt family
  • Flower family 
  • Riedel family

We also acknowledge that the new sand, mulch, plants and basketball nets were made possible by the awesome fundraising efforts of the Parents Association.  

 

Pupil Free Day

Wednesday 8 June is a pupil free day at MPS where staff will be working on their Professional Learning.  As Clare Arthurs, School Council president outlines, CAMP Australia will be operating their service at school on this day.

 

Reducing the spread of Influenza 

I would like to highlight the impact of influenza (flu) among our school community and measures we can all take to reduce the spread of flu as we enter into the colder months.

 

I want to reassure you that we are taking this very seriously and continue to follow the expert advice of the Department of Education and Training and Department of Health, to help ensure that our school continues to run effectively.

 

To help protect our school and the wider community, we ask that unwell students stay home, given the impacts of flu and colds on our school community.

 

To help reduce the spread of flu, colds and COVID-19, students are being encouraged to;

* wash and sanitise their hands regularly

* avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands

* cover their nose and mouth when they cough or sneeze 

* get tested for COVID-19 if they feel unwell and follow the current Department of Health isolation requirements if a positive result is shown

* if unwell, stay at home until their symptoms pass.

 

Face masks are available at MPS and can be worn by any staff or students who wish to do so, including those who are medically at risk.

 

Vaccination remains the best protection against both COVID-19 and flu, and we encourage you to get your child vaccinated. Flu vaccinations can be booked through GPs and pharmacies, many of which can also provide COVID-19 vaccinations.

 

Please see the letter from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Victoria Faculty Council Chair, about the importance of protecting your children and family.

 

If your child does become sick while at school, please also ensure that we have correct emergency contact details for yourself. This is so we can get hold of you as quickly as possible.

 

I am aware that this is a challenging situation and we thank you for your understanding and support at this time.

 

If you have questions about what this means for our school, please feel free to contact me. 

 

Thank you again for your support.

 

Arriving to School on Time - Part 2

 

Having problems getting your child to school on time?   

Are these some reasons why your child does not get to school on time? 

  • Your child won’t go to bed at night or get out of bed in the morning 
  • Your child can’t find their clothes, books, homework, school bag…. 
  • The school lunches are not ready
  • Homework’s not done
  • Your child is slow to eat breakfast
  • Your child is watching TV late at night or when they should be getting ready for school
  • It’s your child’s or someone else’s birthday
  • There is a test or presentation at school today Your child is screaming or not letting go of you. 

Some things to try are setting regular routines: 

  • Have a set time to go to bed 
  • Have a set time to be out of bed 
  • Have uniform and school bag ready the night before 
  • Make lunches the night before 
  • Have set time for starting and ending breakfast
  • Set a time each day for homework
  • Try straight after school with the TV off so your child can relax for the rest of the night and have a reward when finished
  • Turn the TV on for set times and only if appropriate
  • Be firm that children must go to school
  • Give your child lots of positive encouragement and acknowledge they are organized and get to school on time
  • Be firm; a birthday does not equal a holiday
  • On arrival look for some of your child’s friends and encourage your child to go and play with their friends
  • Once settled leave quickly

 

Regular routines are really important and help develop positive transitions to school each day.

 

If you would like to talk about further strategies that may help your child, please discuss this with your child's classroom teacher. 

 

 

Christine Pillot

Acting Principal