Mansfield Primary School Newsletter

Dear Families,

We are almost half way through Term 4!  Remote learning feels like a remote memory.  We are doing our best to keep Term 4 as normal as possible.  The big differences at the moment are around visitors not being allowed onsite, changes to camps and excursions and transitions for kinder kids coming into Prep and our Grade 6s going to Year 7.  There may be some more easing of restrictions next week following the Premier’s expected announcements on November 8th.  We’ll keep you informed.             

School Review

School Reviews occur every 4 years and allow us to reflect on our performance and set the direction for the next 4 years.  This week we had a Validation Day for our 2020 School Review.  The Validation Day allows the Panel to look at our work over the last 4 years and set the agenda for the next 2 review days happening later this month.  Our reviewer, Brian Collins, will be looking for input from students, staff and families over the next few weeks.

Parent Opinion Survey

Families will have been sent a link to the Parent Opinion Survey.  Please take the time to complete this survey.  We would like to hear from the widest range of voices possible and the survey responses help us set goals for the following years.  A great example of this is the Skoolbag app.  We implemented this following feedback from families and it has greatly improved our parent communication.

School to Summit

Our School to Summit program has been drastically affected by COVID.  Jen and our staff have worked really hard to give our students an opportunity to have a School to Summit experience in line with our COVID guidelines.  All of our trips are day excursions rather than overnight and the Grade 2s are out hiking today.  The Grade 6s will be completing their S2S as a series of day trips.  It won’t be the same but it will be a fantastic experience.  I look forward to getting out of the office and joining them for a day.

Classes 2021

There is an incredible amount of work that goes into planning classes each year.  We need to determine the number of classes at each level, which staff will teach in each area and the best place for each and every student.  At this stage we are planning between 20 and 21 classes across the school (this year we have 20).  This depends on enrolment numbers over the next few weeks. If your family will not be returning to MPS in 2021 can you please advise your class teacher or the front office. We are also finalising staffing for 2021 over the next week or so.  Next week students will be asked to identify 5 peers who they learn well with.  This helps us to create classes for next year.  The biggest piece of work is our teachers using their experience, knowledge of students and professional judgement to place all 470(ish) students into classes.  Students will spend a morning in their new class with their new teacher on December 8th (COVID restrictions allowing).

Like always, please get in touch with us with any questions or concerns.  Email your classroom teacher, call the front office or email me tom.macmunn@education.vic.gov.au.

Have a lovely weekend.

Take Care,

Tom

November 6th - Grade 2 S2S Hike

November 11th - Remembrance Day

November 13th - Grade 3 S2S Day at Sheepyard Flat

November 16th - School Council Meeting 7pm

November 18th - 20th Grade 6 S2S Trip

November 27th Grade 4 S2S Hike - Mt Stirling

December 4th - Gd5 Leadership Day - Alexandra Adventure Resort

December 7th - School Council Meeting 7pm

December 8th - Whole School Transition Day / Last Prep 2021 Transition Day

December 14th - Gd6 Race around Mansfield

December 15th - Gd6 Graduation

December 17th - Students Last day of School 

December 18th - Curriculum Day

STATIONERY PACK REMINDER

If you would prefer to order items for stationery packs for 2021 please advise the school office by 12pm tomorrow Friday 6th Nov.

If you do not advise us we will order stationery packs for your child as in previous years. These will be available for purchase from December 8th.

Stationery lists will be emailed to families who wish to purchase their own supplies next week.

HEALTH RECORDS

If your child requires a review of their medical condition, for example an asthma plan, anaphylaxis plan, etc.. we have been advised that

there is currently a wait of 2-3 weeks for appointments.  The medical centres are also expecting the demand for medical services will be increased due to the easing of restrictions.

Please do not delay in having your child’s condition reviewed.  It is important that schools have a current plan, so that we can treat your child correctly if the need arises.

PARENT PAYMENTS 2021

Next week parent payment arrangements 2021 information will be distributed to families with the youngest child in the family. 

Please keep an eye out for these as they will need to be returned for processing by 20th November.

LOST PROPERTY

There are lots of items in and around the Lost Property Cupboard near the office. We can return items if they are named. If they are not named and not claimed they will be sold as second hand uniform. Please get your child to check or come into school to check the cupboard.

We’ve received a message from the Mansfield Police in regard to parent parking at school bus stops. This applies to all bus stops and specifically Howes Creek Road/Cummins Road in the morning.  The main complaint is in regard to cars being parked on the wrong side of the road and too close to the intersection causing obstruction.   Please make sure you are observing the correct road rules when dropping off and picking up students from bus stops to ensure the safety of students and other drivers.

NB. The police will be patrolling around bus stop areas to ensure road rules are being observed. Thank you.

On Friday 22nd October the Preps ventured out on their very first hike for their School to Summit program.

The School to Summit program is an Outdoor Education program that runs from Prep through to Grade 6. To start their Outdoor Ed adventures, the Preps had a lovely day walking from Carters Rd Camp Ground to Mirimbah via the River Trail.  Students took their time to explore their environment, learning how to hike safely and help protect the animals and land that we are so lucky to be surrounded by.

All students and staff did an amazing job and thoroughly enjoyed their first hike for School to Summit.

On Friday 30th October Grade 1 students headed out for their School to Summit day hike. They doubled the distance they did last year, walking the Plain Creek Loop walk and then all the way to Mirimbah. Students experienced walking in the rain and sun, learnt about the flora and fauna and how to hike safely. All students were amazing and thoroughly enjoyed their day.