Newsletter No.2 March 30th, 2026

Principal’s Report

What a fantastic start to the year we have had! Term 1 has been full of learning, growth, connection and many moments that have made us proud to be part of this wonderful school community. It has been so pleasing to see students settle into their new classrooms, build friendships and show such a positive attitude towards their learning. The confidence and independence we are already seeing across the school is a credit to our students, staff and families working together to support each child.

We have had many opportunities to celebrate student achievement this term, including District, Division and Regional Swimming. We are incredibly proud of the students who represented our school, not only for their swimming but for the determination, resilience and sportsmanship they showed along the way.

Our Whole School Buddy Day was a highlight, with students across all year levels spending time learning and connecting together. Seeing older students support younger students, and new friendships forming across the school, is always something special and helps create the strong sense of belonging we value so highly.

It was wonderful to see so many families attend our Whole School Information Evening, Open Classrooms and Parent Teacher Interviews. These opportunities are such an important part of working together to support each child’s learning and progress. We really value open communication with families and appreciate the time you take to connect with teachers and learn more about your child’s learning journey.

Our community spirit was on full display at the Pottery Festival stall and Art Raffle. Thank you to everyone who purchased tickets or helped organise these events. Your support makes a real difference and helps us continue to provide great opportunities for our students.

Ride to School Day was another standout, with hundreds of bikes filling our bike shelter! It was fantastic to see so many students choosing an active start to the day and enjoying the chance to ride, walk or scoot to school with friends.

We also enjoyed a memorable visit from Tom Curtin, whose performance engaged students through storytelling and music. Opportunities like this bring learning to life and give students a chance to experience something a little different.

Our students loved the visit from Auskick, building excitement and confidence through sport, and we were proud to celebrate Harmony Day as a whole school, recognising the importance of inclusion, respect and belonging for everyone in our community.

Our Year 5 and 6 students took part in an engaging session with the REACH Foundation, supporting wellbeing, resilience and positive connections with others. These sessions provide valuable tools to help students navigate friendships and challenges as they grow.

Students in Years 3 and 5 approached NAPLAN with maturity and flexibility, and we were very proud of the way they tried their best throughout the process. We know that these experiences can feel challenging at times, and we are always focused on supporting students to feel confident and capable.

Backflips Against Bullying provided an energetic and powerful whole school session, reinforcing the importance of kindness, courage and standing up for others. Their message strongly supports the positive culture we continue to build together.

Breakfast Club continues to grow and is bigger and better than ever! It is wonderful to see so many students enjoying a positive start to the day with a healthy breakfast and time to connect with friends.

Thank you to our staff for the care, energy and dedication they bring each day, and thank you to our families for your ongoing support. Together, we create a school where students feel supported, challenged and encouraged to do their very best.

Wishing all our families a safe and happy break. We hope you enjoy some time to relax, recharge and spend time together. We look forward to another great term ahead! 

Nicole Salmon                      

B.App.Sc. (Dis.St.), Dip.Ed., M.Ed. (Sp.Ed.) 

Principal

 

 

 

Notes from the Office

AFTER SCHOOL ARRANGEMENTS 

Please ensure your child is aware of what is happening after school, where they are going, who is picking them up and they know the plan if a after school activity is cancelled. 

A reminder to families that the school day finishes at 3.30pm. Please ensure your child/children are collected from school in a timely manner. If you are running late, please notify the front office. 

BUS TRAVEL 

Any changes to your afternoon bus travel arrangements are to be made by 2.00pm for the day of travel. This can be made via the Audiri App by selecting Resources, Forms, then Bus Travel or calling the front office on 5775 2325 & follow the prompts. 

If your child has started a new after school activity for the Term, football/netball/cricket training for example, please update their regular bus travel arrangements. 

Absences

If your child is absent from school, we ask that you contact the school by 10am on the day or as soon as practicable. Absent messages can be submitted through our school app Audiri, by phone or email. 

Medication

All medication for students during the school day must be given to the front office staff and a medication authority form is to be completed.  

Student Toilets

Please be mindful that the student toilets are for students only. There are toilets located at the front office, please see the office staff if needed. 

Supervision Before & After School

MPS Yard is supervised before school from 8.30am and after school until 3.45pm.

Two teachers are on duty in the yard at these times wearing an orange vest and students can go to them with any issues.

Any students in the yard outside these times will be asked to move to the front office to wait until supervision begins.

Audiri

In an emergency our school app Audiri will be used as our main source of communication to our families. This is a reminder to families to download Audiri.

Please note (if you have not already updated) to update your child/s year level on Audiri. This is done by opening Audiri selecting resources, groups, & then selecting your child/s grade including whole school. 

Family Details

If your family contact details have recently changed - residential address, contact numbers & or emergency contacts please update via Audiri by selecting resources, forms & then change of details. 

SCHOOL UNIFORM

Uniform to be ordered through Spartan School Supplies.      

We have a full range of uniform on display at the front office for you to view before making your purchases online. 

LOST PROPERTY

Please note we cannot return items that have no name. Please ensure uniform & drink bottles are clearly labelled with your child's name. 

SPARE CLOTHES

If your child has come home in spare clothes from school, we ask that you please wash & return these items.

HEAD LICE

A reminder to families to be checking for head lice & taking the appropriate steps to treat hair if lice are found. 

 

 

 

Important Dates 2026

Term 1

  • 27th February     Buddy Day        
  • 3rd March     District Swimming Trials    
  • 6th March     Student free day
  • 9th March     Public Holiday     
  • 11th March   School Photo Day     
  • 11th – 23rd March    NAPLAN- Year 3 + Year 5
  • 13th March    Division Swimming  
  • 18th March    Regional Swimming  
  • 24th – 27th March    Year 5 camp
  • 2nd April    Last day of Term 1 
  • 3rd April- 19th April    School Holidays                      

Term 2 

  • 22nd April    State Swimming      
  • 24th April    3-6 Cross Country
  • 30th April     Prep-2 Cross Country      
  • 22nd May    District Cross Country 
  • 28th May    Division Cross Country
  • 3rd June    From Scratch program starts- Year 6     
  • 5th June    Student Free Day
  • 8th June    Public Holiday
  • 12th June    Regional Cross Country
  • 18th-19th June    Year 5 Bike Ed
  • 19th June     World Make Music Day
  • 26th June    Last day of term
  • 27th June-12th July    School Holidays                               

Important Dates 2026


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CSEF - Camps Sports & Excursion Fund

CSEF is provided by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families to cover the costs of school excursions, camps and sporting activities.

If you hold a valid means-tested concession card or  support an out of home care student you may be eligible for CSEF. A special consideration category also exists for asylum seeker and refugee families. The allowance is paid directly to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions or sporting activities for the benefit of your child.

  • The annual CSEF amount per student is $400 for all school students.
  • Form attached & also available from the school front office.

 

**If you received CSEF last year (2025) then you do not need to complete a form** 

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STATE SCHOOLS’ RELIEF Prep 2026 Summer CSEF Uniform Package.

Applications for the 2026 Prep CSEF Uniform Package are now open & close at the end of Term 2, 2026.

Applications for Prep uniform packs close at the end of Term 2, 2026

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Bus Travel

Any changes to your afternoon bus travel arrangements are to be made by 2pm for the day of travel. This can be made via the Audiri App by selecting Resources, Forms, then Bus Travel or calling the front office on 5775 2325 & follow the prompts.

Lost Property

Please note we cannot return items that have no name. Please ensure uniform & drink bottles are clearly labelled with your child's name.

Mansfield Little Athletics 2025/2026 Season

Little Athletics has commenced after the summer holidays.  Starting from 4.30pm at the Lords Ground on Friday’s through to the 28th March. 

Protecting Against Mosquito-borne Diseases


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Treating and Controlling Headlice


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