NEWSLETTER 19/2018

Dear Families,


Can you believe the year is nearly over. It is amazing how much we have achieved in the blink of an eye. I know it can be hard this time of year timetabling commitments, this week a document detailing important dates was sent out, so keep this on the fridge, in the car, on your phone or where ever you need to keep track of the remaining 16 school days.

TRANSITION TO 2019 

Last Monday students were placed into random classes and given a taste of the level above. These days are vital for students as it helps not only to see what they can expect next year but also to relieve some level of anxiety they may be feeling due to the unknown. "Up Days" will continue for the next 2 Mondays, culminating with new class announcements on Monday December 17. This is also the day that students reports will be sent home.

As a staff we are all working together to assign students to the class group that best meets the learning needs of your child. We have taken requests on board where they are based on sound educational or social grounds. This work will continue with observations noted both in class and during "Up Day" activities.

DATES TO REMEMBER

  A reminder that school will conclude for 2018 on Friday December 21 at 1:30pm. OSHClub will be available for those families that need care. They will also be running a Holiday Program so check with them as to the programs you may wish to enroll in.

Teachers will resume official duty on Tuesday January 29, with all students returning to school on Wednesday January 30. During the preceding weeks staff will be preparing their classrooms and planning the learning goals for all students.

Also, don't forget the Christmas Carols on Tuesday Dec 11 and the Parent helpers Morning Tea on Wednesday Dec 12.

PLANS FOR 2019

Whilst we are completing our structures for 2019, we are still accepting enrollments so if you know of anyone looking to start with us next year please ask them to see the office asap as this will allow them access to the "Up Days" and transition program. It may seem last minute but we have taken 4 enrollments in the last 2 weeks, including 1 new Foundation student yesterday. Its never too late to join the wonderful Mentone Park community.

Similarly, if you are planning on moving or changing schools can you please inform the office asap as this will help with preparing classes for next year.
  
STAFF NEWS

As some of you may have guessed from her recent visits, Alison Lough will be returning to Mentone Park PS next year. Alison will return to her Assistant Principal role with some teaching components added to her timetable. 

With this news Jayne O'Neill will return to her role of classroom teacher but after her amazing success this year she will be taking on a number of other key roles of responsibility, primarily focused on curriculum development and implementation. I'm sure you will join with me in congratulating her for everything she has done for our school.

I can also confirm that Jo Bon will return in a part time capacity at the beginning of Term 2, and we look forward to welcoming her back.

BUILDING PROJECT

As you will remember we were successful back in May in our application to receive significant funds to begin master planning our school. Through this project we have engaged an architect and with the help of the Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) we have begun some initial drawings and discussions. Weekly meetings are taking place between the VSBA, the Department of Education and School Council and we will bring any news to you as it comes to hand. As you can imagine we are very excited at the possibility of a large scale building project coming to Mentone Park PS. We will keep you posted.







Best wishes
Cameron Agars
Principal

CLUBS AND EXTRA CURRICULA ACTIVITIES

FROM THE OFFICE

PAYMENT SUMMARY SHEET 2019

Thank you to the families who have returned their 2019 Payment Summary Sheets.

Please fill in the details and return to the office selecting payment option A, B or C by Friday 7 December 2018.


Thank you for your assistance.

Please check Kids Café for all lost property items.

There are a large number of unnamed containers and other items.

PFA

CLASSROOM CUISINE

AVAILABLE WEDNESDAYS & FRIDAYS

OSHCLUB News

26^th – 30^th November

This week it is all about culture. Painting flags, constructing your own Chinese dragon and other activities like World trivia and finding out what foods come from which country, with plenty of other games that have been modified to fit the theme.

3^rd – 7^th December

Next week we will begin counting down the days to Christmas with many Christmas craft! Also some Outerspace themed activities and games to get the kids imaginations going.

David Quinn

OSHClub Co-ordinator

SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUB

Dear Mentone Park Families,
This is the last issue for the year.
Thanks to everyone for their support of bookclub.
The rewards make a big contribution to resources for our library and classrooms.
If anyone wants to make a bookclub order as a gift, please let me know and tick “gift” in the online order.
I will leave these at the office for collection.

Best wishes

Jenny O – Book club coordinator

Dear Parents,

If you have any preloved MPPS uniforms please drop these off at the office. If you would like to purchase any items for a very reasonable price, please send a text to Megan or Jess to arrange a meeting time.

We have different items coming in all the time so if we didn't have what you were after last time you checked, it might be worth trying us again.

Thank you

Megan: 0404 228 320
Jess:    0411 031 589

Working With Children Check Reminder

All parents/guardians, visitors & volunteers to the school MUST sign in & out of the school and display their WWCC in a lanyard, which is available at the school office.

The Department of Education requires any person involved in an activity where children may be present to have a current WWCC or have supplied proof that they have applied for a WWCC with the Department of Justice. All schools are required to comply with the Working with Children Act 2005.

Volunteers are expected to carry the WWCC card on their person at all times when working or volunteering at the school or during school related activities.

There is no fee for this check. Apply now by visiting: www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au

COMMUNITY MESSAGES & ADVERTISEMENTS

The Department of Education & Early Childhood Development and Mentone Park Primary School do not endorse the products or services of any private advertiser. They accept no responsibility for accuracy of information contained in advertisements or claims made by them.