PO Box 305, Mt Eliza 3930 – Phone 9787 1385 Newsletter is available on the web site address : www.mtelizaps.vic.edu.au 17 th September, 2020 DIARY Term 3 September Fri 18 th Term 3 concludes at 2.30pm Term 4 October Mon 5 th Term 4 commences – remote learning Mon 12 th Grades Prep – 2 return to onsite learning Camp Australia For more details on After School Care, Before School Care and School Holiday Program please phone Camp Australia on 1300 105 343. Registration is available online at www.campaustralia.com.au PTA Isolation Cook Book NOTE: Please don’t forget to send your recipes to PTA for their Isolation Cook Book. Details are on page 5 of this newsletter. The cut-off date for recipe submissions, orders and colouring competition is tomorrow Friday, 18 th September. STUDENT ABSENCE NUMBER – 0439 454 239 Please text the above number by 9.30am and state your child’s Name, Grade and the reason your child will be absent TERM 3 CONCLUDES TOMORROW, 18 TH SEPTEMBER AT 2.30PM Principal’s Report Dear Parents and Carers, We have made it through an extraordinary term. It certainly has been an interesting couple of months in the world, and in education. Whilst I realise the amount of time that we have been out of our classrooms, sometimes it takes a moment for it to really sink in. We have seen life as we know it change. Life is still changing. Educators and families across Melbourne are still looking for ways to balance all of the responsibilities in their personal and professional lives. Asking questions such as: How can we do the work that we are so passionate about from our homes and away from our students? What have we learned and where do we go from here? What does our transition back to school look like and how can we support the learning of all students next term? These are questions I, and our MEPS staff, are asking ourselves each day. What have I learned? When I think about it, it’s like the pandemic was the noisiest and biggest wake-up call on so many levels, one that we didn’t want, at least not in this way. It has pushed us to think cr itically not just about our daily lives, but also about what we are doing in our classrooms and in our schools. When processing thoughts and feelings about this pandemic, something that is so negative and has disrupted our lives so greatly, I think it’s important that we find a way to leverage our experiences to our advantage. What is something positive that we can take from it and how can it guide us as we move forward? The biggest lesson that I have learned is that in times like this, we need to make sure that we focus on relationships, and truly ‘knowing’ our students and their families first. We need this connection so we can provide the support that’s needed at the right moment. Having those relationships and connections in place at MEPS have made a huge difference. I know that our staff have worked tirelessly to ensure that the connections between school and home have fostered into authentic partnerships that will strengthen the transition back to onsite learning. MEPS Newsletter
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PO Box 305, Mt Eliza 3930 – Phone 9787 1385 Newsletter is available on the web site address :
www.mtelizaps.vic.edu.au on the web site
17th September, 2020
DIARY Term 3
September
Fri 18th Term 3 concludes at 2.30pm
Term 4
October
Mon 5th Term 4 commences – remote learning
Mon 12th Grades Prep – 2 return to onsite learning
Camp Australia For more details on After School Care, Before School Care and School Holiday Program please phone Camp Australia on 1300 105 343. Registration is available online at www.campaustralia.com.au
PTA Isolation Cook Book NOTE: Please don’t forget to send your recipes to PTA for their Isolation Cook Book. Details are on page 5 of this newsletter. The cut-off date for recipe submissions, orders and colouring competition is tomorrow Friday, 18th September.
STUDENT ABSENCE NUMBER – 0439 454 239 Please text the above number by 9.30am and state your child’s Name, Grade and the reason your child will be absent
TERM 3 CONCLUDES TOMORROW, 18TH SEPTEMBER AT 2.30PM
Principal’s Report Dear Parents and Carers,
We have made it through an extraordinary term. It certainly has been an interesting couple of months in the world, and in education. Whilst I realise the amount of time that we have been out of our classrooms, sometimes it takes a moment for it to really sink in.
We have seen life as we know it change. Life is still changing. Educators and families across Melbourne are still looking for ways to balance all of the responsibilities in their personal and professional lives. Asking questions such as: How can we do the work that we are so passionate about from our homes and away from our students? What have we learned and where do we go from here? What does our transition back to school look like and how can we support the learning of all students next term? These are questions I, and our MEPS staff, are asking ourselves each day.
What have I learned? When I think about it, it’s like the pandemic was the noisiest and biggest wake-up call on so many levels, one that we didn’t want, at least not in this way. It has pushed us to think critically not just about our daily lives, but also about what we are doing in our classrooms and in our schools. When processing thoughts and feelings about this pandemic, something that is so negative and has disrupted our lives so greatly, I think it’s important that we find a way to leverage our experiences to our advantage. What is something positive that we can take from it and how can it guide us as we move forward?
The biggest lesson that I have learned is that in times like this, we need to make sure that we focus on relationships, and truly ‘knowing’ our students and their families first. We need this connection so we can provide the support that’s needed at the right moment. Having those relationships and connections in place at MEPS have made a huge difference. I know that our staff have worked tirelessly to ensure that the connections between school and home have fostered into authentic partnerships that will strengthen the transition back to onsite learning.
MEPS Newsletter
What do we know? Firstly, there is no doubt - we are looking forward to seeing students and staff back on campus soon. Please find below, some important information regarding logistics for next term. Term 4, Week 1
- Prep to Grade 6 remain learning remotely
- Onsite students - program/guidelines remain the same as per Term 3
Weeks 2 and 3
- Grades 3 - 6 remain learning remotely until further notice. Dates for return to school will depend on
Government health advice.
- Prep to Grade 2 return to onsite learning
Beginning of Day Staggered start:
- 8.30am - 8.40am Grades 1 and 2, entry from front gate in front of reception
- 8.45am - 8.55am Prep, entry from Old School House gate
All students will be required to have their temperature tested on entry. Children with temperatures above 37.5 degrees will not be allowed to attend school. End of Day
- 3.00pm Preps leave
Preps with a sibling in Grades 1 and/or 2 are supervised in the classroom. A teacher will accompany the Preps to the gate for 3.15pm pick up with Grades 1/2 siblings.
- 3.15pm Grades 1/2 leave
How are we preparing? There have been ongoing teacher discussions over the past few weeks about how best to transition children back onto campus as well as ensuring that those who are continuing their online learning experience a purposeful and engaging program. Planning days throughout this week have focussed on the Department’s priorities: Wellbeing and Equity; Learning and Excellence; and Transitions. Moving forward, these areas will continue to drive our preparations and practices. With social interactions limited during this time, it is critical that we provide opportunities for students to engage in meaningful learning at their point of need. Equally as important is the provision of experiences that promote the development of social-emotional learning skills, and empowering our students to communicate and collaborate regardless of the learning ‘space’. Shortly, we will be asking families to share some insights about their child/ren’s wellbeing to help us to plan accordingly. Your partnership has been greatly appreciated during this period and your feedback will be very useful. I want to sincerely thank you all for making me feel so welcome. I can’t believe that I only started here six weeks ago; I already feel like I am part of the furniture! Please enjoy a wonderful holiday break and I look forward to catching up soon in Term 4. Kind regards, Kim Wheeler Principal
Please see page 4 for return to school dates
PTA Report Hello everyone,
Can you please make sure (if you haven’t already done so), that you upload your recipe for the MEPS Cook Book. There are some amazing recipes and photos coming in. We know that you would hate to look back and realise that your child was the one that missed out! I know the majority of you have already uploaded your recipes which is wonderful! If you're in the handful who haven’t, please make sure you don’t miss out. Remember, the closing date to submit your recipe/s, colouring competition and to place your Cook Book orders, is tomorrow Friday, 18th September. Further details are on pages 4 and 5 of this newsletter. You do not have to be a master chef! It may be a quick recipe that your kids love to eat, cook or even bake with you. We have had a brilliant effort so far from everyone and we will invest all money raised, into something amazing in 2021. Nicole Valasis and your PTA team
Prep 2021 Enrolments
Our Principal Kim Wheeler, will be inviting you to join a ‘virtual’ meeting which will be held in early term 4. The invitation will be emailed to those families who have already enrolled their Prep 2021 child. This will give you the opportunity to meet our new Principal, and to hear all about our wonderful and vibrant school and what we have in store for your child during 2021 and beyond. Kim will hopefully have further updates from DET (Department of Education and Training) regarding how our Prep 2021 transition will be conducted.
It would be greatly appreciated if all completed enrolment forms could be returned to the school ASAP – either by dropping them off in the box at the front of the office or mail to Administration, Mt Eliza Primary School, PO Box 305 Mt Eliza Vic 3930
In the meantime, you can access school information by visiting our website www.mtelizaps.vic.edu.au
Madeleine Bryan Prep Enrolments
Last week, we had a few special guests on our ‘Wonderful Wacky Wednesday’ Zoom
for the ‘Sound Room’.
Our very own Phil Leonard and a local artist Oskar Proy, joined the 5/6 students to talk about
life as a musician and to share their talents. Oskar played an original song for us, ‘Tell me Why’.
If you are interested in more information, please check out Oskar’s songs online.
Term 4 All students commence online learning on Monday, 5th October.
Years Prep to 2 return to onsite learning on Monday, 12th October.
Years 3-6 continue online learning until further notice.
Our MEPS team hope you have a wonderful, safe and relaxing holiday.
PTA Cook Book Request
The recipe submission date has been extended until tomorrow Friday, 18th September
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