From the Principal's Desk
Dear Monty South Community,
As we have reached the end of Term 2, we wanted to extend a deep and heartfelt thanks to every member of our school community for showing immense flexibility, resilience, and kindness, particularly over the past few weeks. Like many other schools we have started experiencing disruptions due to high numbers of staff and student illness and flow on staff shortages. While we have used all available resources to limit the disruptions, there have been times that we have needed to split classes, rearrange timetables or temporarily pause our TLI and specialist sessions. Despite these disruptions, our core work towards student wellbeing and learning growth has continued, with our staff working just as efficiently as ever.
Thank you also for your contributions to our school throughout the term. From supporting our fund-raising efforts through the Parents and Friends activities, to supporting our students at sporting events and assisting in our classroom programs, it has been an absolute joy to welcome our community members back inside our classrooms. We look forward to continuing to build the opportunities for our community to come together in Term 3. Until then wishing you a safe break from routine and holiday if you are having one.
Just a reminder that finish time today is 2.30pm.
2023 plans
We currently have received 103 applications for Foundation next year and have confirmed enrolments for 82, so it is likely we will be having 5 Foundation classes next year. We have also been receiving many inquiries about enrolments for 2023 in other year levels across the school and we have been very busy with tours. If you have not yet enrolled any younger siblings that will be coming to MSPS next year, we do encourage you to do so as soon as possible. Foundation enrolment forms can be found on our school website https://www.montysouth.ps.vic.edu.au/
or emailed directly to you by calling the office.
MSPS Achievers
Congratulations to Cooper Haynes for making it into the State primary school football team. Well done and best of luck next term when you go to South Australia with the team.
Fantastic effort, Matilda Mitchell and Jessika Blair on their success at the recent Regional Cross Country. In Term 3 they are off to state championships. Good luck girls.
Our winter Interschool sports teams had success in the Montmorency District School Sports Association last week. Congratulations to the girls’ lacrosse team on winning the Premiership, the T-Ball team also won the Premiership and our soccer and mixed lacrosse teams were both runners up. Congratulations to you all on a fantastic effort on the field, supporting your school and your team throughout the season.
Finally, congratulations to Levi Pilson who competed in a state handball competition as part of the Camp Australia program recently. Levi competed at Camelot Rise Primary School against over 100 students from schools across Melbourne. A wonderful effort Levi.
Covid-19 Vaccination Mandate changes
From 11.59pm on Friday 24 June 2022 (in effect the start of Term 3), staff in mainstream schools will no longer be required to meet vaccination requirements to attend work. Vaccination remains strongly recommended for all staff, contractors, volunteers and visitors working at Victorian government schools.
Visitors and volunteers working in schools however are still required to be triple vaccinated until further notice. Schools must still collect, record and hold vaccination information for all other visitors and volunteers working on school sites. Under the Pandemic (Workplace) Order 2022 (No. 8) issued by the Minister for Health, schools must ensure that all visitors and volunteers who attend to perform work must comply with vaccination requirements.
Year 3 Bike Education
For the past four weeks, students in Year 3 have taken part in a bike education program with Cycling Australia. We offer this program each year to students in Year 3 to help them develop skills to ride safely and independently on roads and paths. The students enjoyed bringing their bikes to school and gaining skills and confidence to ride independently.
Families planning extended holidays
It is important that the school is aware of families taking students on extended holidays. So apart from letting the teachers know, it is important that the Principal and office are also aware. We are required to record absences of all students not present at school. Please email your request for extended school absence to Leanne.sheean@education.vic.gov.au and Victoria.Hall2@education.vic.gov.au.
School Photos
School photos were sent home this week and with the number of absences there are still quite a number still to be collected. These are now located at the main school office.
Year 6 Captain photos - please note that captain photos were taken earlier this term without the inclusion of the relevant teacher. Therefore, they will be taken again in Term 3 when the Year 6 Graduation photos are taken. Orders for the existing captain’s photos will be suspended until the reshoot. If you have ordered photos already, you can call MSP Photography to discuss your options 03 9466 7331.
School Athletics Carnival – Tuesday 12th July - Yrs 3-6
We will be holding our annual athletics carnival at Willinda Park on the second day of Term 3. Students will have a chance to compete against other students in a range of events. For your child to participate in this event, you will need to give your consent via Compass (see events tab in Compass). No payment is required.
An event timetable is attached and you are welcome to come along and cheer on your child/ren and their friends.
If any parent/carer is available to help with running of events on the day, can you please email Sharon Moore (PE Teacher) on sharon.moore@education.vic.gov.au.
Woolworths/Landcare Grant
We have been successful with our application for a 2022 Woolworths Junior Landcare Grant for our project, Bee Gardens. The Year 6 classes have been researching about native bees this year, specifically ones that reside in Victoria and to support this Woolworths and Junior Landcare (Landcare Australia) will provide a $350 grant for us to establish bee gardens to promote pollination in our school garden. Thank you to Woolworths and Landcare for their support.
Parents’ and Friends Community event – MSPS goes to the G! (Essendon v Swans - Sat 2 July)
Join us at the Essendon Vs Sydney Swans Game – Saturday 2 July 2022 at 1:45pm.
40 free tickets available, courtesy of the AFL. Book your tickets here - https://compasstix.com/e/zbw3eq6crq
Max 5 tickets per family. First in, best dressed!
As an MSPS Community event we encourage the group to sit nearby each other. Tickets will be handed out at the MCG meeting point prior to the game.
Merriel Hayes’ Retirement Celebration
After two years delay due to Covid, on Sunday 19th June, we finally were able to celebrate Merriel’s retirement and her 30+ years of service to Monty South. We enjoyed a great afternoon and had the opportunity to catch up with Merriel who is enjoying her retirement. It was also lovely to see a couple of our ex-families as well as a number of staff. A great time was held by all.
Staff News
It was a party, party, party weekend last weekend for staff with many of them celebrating special events. We had a ‘Hen’s function, a 30th birthday celebration, a retirement and a very special wedding. Congratulations to Aili Adamson and Luke on their wedding on Saturday 18th of June at Immerse in the Yarra Valley. Aili sent us photos of the day and both she and Luke look so happy. They headed off for their honeymoon yesterday and we can’t wait to hear of their adventures when they return next term.
We have also heard that our French assistant, whom we shared with Monty Secondary a couple of years back, Mégane Autin has just given birth to a beautiful baby boy. Mégane and her partner, Stephen welcomed baby Émile Minglis, to the world on 11 June. We are thrilled for all of them.
Oval Deep Cleaning
The oval will be cleaned and unavailable for public use on Wednesday 6th July, during the second week of the school holidays. Please note, for those using the school for recreation, the oval will be off limits.
Lego Club
We are seeking resources for a new Lego Club. If you can, please donate any excess Lego so that we can commence running this program asap. We plan to run the club once a week and once we have enough Lego to commence, we will let you know more details. If anyone has any Lego robotics they are willing to donate, that would be amazing too.
Lunch Orders - Tuesday and Thursday
For families wanting to organise a lunch order on the days that our school canteen supplier does not provide lunch orders, Boots and Barley is happy to introduce fresh lunch packs for school children to be delivered on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Visit Boots and Barley's website to place orders up to 5 days in advance; the cut-off time is 9am on the day of order.
Please visit the link / scan the QR code to start ordering: https://www.bootsandbarleycafe.com/order-now/msps-school-children-menu/lunch-packs
Detailed instructions on how to order are listed here: https://www.bootsandbarleycafe.com/howtoorder
RHSport Uniforms – shop closure 27 June to 1 July
RHSport will be closing their retail stores for a stock take on the 27/6 and reopening on Friday 1/7 (first week of school holidays). This will not affect the website operation, it will however impact their ability to provide a walk-in service to anyone who comes to the stores in this time. You can contact them for further information if needed. https://www.rhsports.com.au/product/school_wear
Dates for the diary
- This week - Friday 24 June – Term 1 ends / 2.30pm finish
- Monday 11 July – Term 3 starts
- Tues 12 July – Literary incursion (P-Yr 2) Author Lee Fox - story telling through performance
- Tues 12 July, 10am til 2pm - Athletics Carnival (Yrs 3-6)
- 19 & 21 July - Literary incursion (Yr 3-4) - Author Jane Godwin writer's workshop
- 26 & 28 July - Literary incursion (Yr 5-6) - Author Adrian Beck writer's workshop
- Thurs 29th July, 9am to 11.30am - Mini Athletics Carnival (Prep to Yr2)
- 2 & 3 August - School Concert (performed at Eltham High School)
- Weds 3rd August - 100 days of Prep
- Weds 24th August – Book Parade
Leanne Sheean
Principal
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Montmorency South Primary School acknowledges traditional owners of country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to elders both past, present and future.
‘Montmorency South is an inclusive learning community where students are inspired to be respectful, creative, curious and independent learners.’
Our Belief:
We believe that every person in our Montmorency South school community has the capacity to assist each student in attaining our vision.
Motto - Together we learn, lead and achieve