NEWSLETTER 01/2019

 

Welcome to Cameron's Corner

Dear Parents, 

Welcome back to 2019. I trust that everyone enjoyed their break and the morning routine of up early, clean uniforms and making lunches is starting to flow smoothly. My youngest son started Foundation this year so I have an even greater sense of empathy and understanding of the morning routine. 

I would like to start by thanking all of our staff who came in over the break to prepare their learning areas for the new year. Many hours were spent preparing and planning for the year ahead.

No doubt if you have been up to the school this year you will have seen or heard about the amazing Foundation Early Learning Centre. Our newest students have an amazing space full of colour, vibrancy and activity. I must thank the team of Jo-Ann Struthers, Kate Drummond, Sarah Ashcroft and Jo Bon for all of their work over the holidays. The transformation is amazing and your children are the beneficiaries of their hard work.

Over the holidays we also transformed the Kids Cafe into our new STEM Room (Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics) where students will visit weekly as part of some new and exciting curriculum additions beginning at the end of February. 

Starting in late February students will move through weekly rotations of STEM, Language and Library in their level. Teachers will teach the same curriculum area to all 3 classes in the team, thus creating consistency of instruction whilst also increasing the students exposure to different learning areas.

Get To Know You Interviews - Wednesday February 27

On Wednesday February 27 parents will have the opportunity to schedule a meeting with their child's teacher to let us know  any specific information that will assist in their child's learning. A link will be sent out via FlexiBuzz next week.

School Council

If anyone community members are interested in becoming a member of our amazing School Council, nomination forms are available at the school office. I will also send out some information via FlexiBuzz and if you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me.

Updating Medical Information

It is important for families to consider any changed medical needs of their children and ensure that we have up to date records regarding asthma, anaphylaxis, allergies or other conditions that may impact on the children at school. Please contact the office to discuss these or any other related medical notifications.

Communication is key

As we all know the key to an effective home - school partnership is communication.We will provide a whole school newsletter every 2 weeks and on the alternative week you will receive a level specific newsletter, both via FlexiBuzz. Please make sure that you have this activated and set for your child's current class. From time to time teachers may contact you, either via phone or FlexiBuzz to keep you informed of your child's progress and how we can improve learning possibilities. If you have any comments or concerns please don't hesitate to make an appointment for a chat. Our staff are committed to providing the best learning environment for your children and are always more than happy to have a conversation.

Have a great fortnight and I look forward to seeing you around the school. 

Cameron

Assistant Principal

Hello! I’m back! It has been so nice catching up with students, parents and staff over the past week and everyone has been so welcoming. Thank you for making my transition back to Mentone Park so easy and enjoyable! It feels like I never left!

My time as Acting Principal in a different school and network enabled me to learn new systems and routines and further build my knowledge of whole school operations. I was however certainly ready to hand back the reins to the returning principal after his leave and take a holiday! Phew!  I spent some time in England with family and was able to be a part of my cousins wedding which was a highlight of the year for me. 

This year I will step back into the role of coordinating wellbeing and I will also be teaching music and performing arts one day a week!  This is something I am super excited about and I had a great day on Tuesday taking each class for their first music session of the year. The focus this week was on beat and we played some games and used percussion instruments to explore the concept. Prep students enjoyed singing about eating! Junior students learnt the names of the percussion instruments and the different ways they can be played to produce sounds, the 3/4s tried to work out who stole the cookie from the cookie jar and year 5/6 worked in teams establishing beat patterns by playing different instruments on different beats.

Alison Lough

Assistant Principal

FROM THE OFFICE

Dear Families,

Welcome back!

2019 school fees and charges

Thank you to all of the families who have made payments for the school fees and charges for 2019.

This is a reminder that January 30 was the due date for both payments in full, and the first payment for those who have opted to pay in instalments.

Thank you for your assistance.

Patti, Trish & Jane

CAMPS, SPORTS AND EXCURSIONS FUND INFORMATION

CLASSROOM CUISINE

AVAILABLE WEDNESDAYS & FRIDAYS

COMMENCING FEBRUARY 6

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.