From The Principal

WELCOME BACK AND THANK YOU

We have been back to onsite learning for a week and we are so happy to have all students back. It is a joy to see them coming in the gates each morning.

I would like to thank parents/carers and students for the way they are adhering to the staggered start and finish times. The exit and entry procedures are working smoothly and it is wonderful to see the younger students showing such independence.

The students are doing a great job of reconnecting with each other and have been enjoying the new play equipment. 

On behalf of all the staff, a sincere thank you to all of our families for their positive messages of support through our remote learning journey and we look forward to a wonderful Term 4, even if some things still have to be a little different.   

Fingers crossed that life returns to a greater sense of normality soon and we will look back on 2020 and will be amazed at what we achieved. 

For the remainder of Term 4, our school procedures and practices will reflect the priorities outlined by the Education Department’s requirements that are outlined in their Term 4 Operations Guide.  

 Wellbeing and Equity

The wellbeing, and particularly the mental health, of every student and member of staff is the highest priority. 

Learning and Excellence

Literacy and numeracy across the curriculum remain a focus, with schools adapting their teaching and learning programs in Term 4 to be responsive to student needs.

Term 4 is a critical period, particularly for the children moving from kindergarten into Prep and from Year 6 into Year 7.  Students in other year levels will also prepare for a change of teachers and new classmates in 2021.

SCHOOL CLEANING

Extended and increased cleaning arrangements have been introduced and will continue this term. This involves progressive cleaning throughout the day to ensure that risks of transmission are reduced for high-touch areas.

The Safety Management Plan for COVID-19 (COVIDSafe Plan) applies to all schools. This plan outlines the key health and safety risks, and links to the latest guidance for all schools. Health and safety measures will be regularly reviewed in line with the changing context of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Victoria. 

 All Department staff working on site in schools will also be required to complete an eLearning module “School infection prevention and control during coronavirus (COVID-19)” as soon as possible. 

Every action taken is to maintain the safety of every member of our school community at all times.  We thank everyone in advance for  supporting the decisions we have had to make in an effort to keep every student and staff member healthy and safe. 

Please note that at the moment, parents/carers are NOT permitted on school grounds at any time. If your child is arriving late, leaving early or not well and needs to go home, please ring the office from the front entrance in Hobart Rd and your child will be signed in or out by the office staff. Please call 95681300 for assistance.

PARENT OPINION SURVEY

The Parent Opinion Survey is an annual survey offered by the Department of Education and Training that is conducted amongst parents at all state schools. It is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of parents’ perceptions of school climate, student behaviour, student engagement and experiences of remote and flexible learning. Our school will use the survey results to help inform and direct future school planning and improvement strategies.

 300 families have been randomly selected to take part in this year’s survey. Each of you would have received an individual login to the survey via email. 

All responses to the survey are anonymous. This year, the Parent Opinion Survey will be conducted from Monday 19 October to Friday 13 November.

The survey takes 20 minutes to complete, and can be accessed on desktop computers, laptops, tablets or smartphones. We would really appreciate your support to get as many responses as possible, and if you have any issues please don’t hesitate to call the school office.

NEW DATES FOR 2020 AND 2021

There have been some changes to dates for this term. Please remember it is a public holiday this Friday, October 23 and so the school is closed.

Snuggle up in your PJ’s for Book Week is Thursday October 22 (school uniform is required if students do not want to dress up or want to get changed during the day and school shoes or runners are needed, but slippers may be used inside).

Monday November 2 was previously flagged as a Curriculum Day. This will now be held on Monday November 16 for staff to moderate assessment tools for school reports.

AUSSIE OF THE MONTH

Congratulations to Evie Katsis in Year 4. Evie continuously displays the 4 school values of respect, resilience, responsibility and relationships. She is inclusive of all students both in the classroom and in the yard. She is on task during learning time and can work with a range of students. She is always positive and participates in school programs such as the play program. She is respectful to all teachers and is willing to help out when needed. 

What a great recommendation Evie; we are very proud of you!

PLANNING FOR 2021

The teaching staff in November will begin the process of compiling classes for next year and I would like to take this opportunity to invite parents who have a particular concern/request about their child’s class placement for next year to please put this in writing, via email to lynne.foster@education.vic.gov.auby Friday 30th October. 

Please remember, teachers use a range of information to help create new classes, based on each child’s needs.

Parents sometimes ask if they can request a particular teacher for their child for the coming year. Unfortunately, when parents make these requests, it makes our class planning extremely difficult. Teachers put much time and effort into arranging children into appropriate groups, taking into consideration their academic, social and emotional needs. 

When requests for particular teachers are added to this delicate mix, difficulties arise in organising balanced classes.

2021 ENROLMENTS

I would like to remind families, if you are not returning to Murrumbeena next year, we need to know before October 30 when we begin the class placement process. 

As the number of children attending the school is crucial in our planning, urgent notice of student transfers is important. This determines our ability to staff our school and plan for the required number of classes. If you have any plans to relocate from our area and/ or enrol your children at another school, please let me know this week. 

SCHOOL COUNCIL

Last night, we held our October meeting of School Council. I would like to thank Lucy Prysten and Arbel Givargis for organising a parent/family online Trivia Night at the end of last term.

The night was a great success and thanks to the two local businesses who contributed prizes. We know how hard that is in these times when local businesses need all of our support as well.

The trivia evening took place on Friday September 18, on the last day of term 3. There was a terrific turnout with approximately 40 school families making up 15 teams, competing for the crown of Murrumbeena’s smartest collective! 

The evening was an enjoyable social occasion and a good chance for families to connect during the height of lockdown. Congratulations to the winning team, Quanteam, captained by Louise Lyell who blew the competition away with their wide and at times very specific knowledge! Quanteam received a lovely wine hamper courtesy of Wines on Poath. There was also a prize for the best dressed team, with Glam Fams living up to their names 

and earning a $100 coffee voucher courtesy of Dose One café. The night also raised just over $1,000 for the school. A big thank you to all who participated and help make it such a fun night.

Other updates:

Canteen- due to covid 19 restrictions, there are currently no counter sales.

Building Works- repairs to cracks in our main building may now not start until the next school holidays.

Education- passed policies on Language, Medication and the Student Dress Code. These will be available on the school website. 

OSHC- we welcome 'TheirCare' as our new provider.

STAFFING

Whilst we farewelled Ms Nelson last week as she went on family leave, we now welcome Kirsty Seares, our new PE teacher, to the MPS community. Kirsty has worked in both primary and secondary settings and we know her experience will be an asset to our school.

Lynne Foster