ENewsletter

Principal's Message

Dear Families,

It has been a busy couple of weeks at Mansfield Primary School. Grade 5 Melbourne and the Sea camp, 3-6 Cross Country, new families pizza night and an increase in illness and COVID amongst staff and students.

Grade 5 Camp

The Grade 5s came back to school this week raving about how amazing the Grade 5 camp was. We had some fantastic feedback from members of the public about how our kids behaved and interacted with others in Melbourne and down the coast. If you would like to hear about some of this feedback, and the positive impression our Grade 5 students and staff made on one particular person, join us for assembly at 2:45pm next Friday.

The work that goes into running camps is huge. Thank you to Jen, our Grade 5 staff, Education Support staff and parent volunteers for all the work they put in.

New Families Pizza Night

It was great to have new families join us for pizza and a chat on Wednesday evening. Thank you to our Parents and Friends volunteers, Mansfield Pizza for the bases and our school captains for helping.

Federal Government Outdoor Classroom Grant

We have received a $25 000 grant to complete our Outdoor Music Space. Thank you to Narelle Rademaker and Mrs Sketcher for helping put the grant application together. The money will allow us to put a concrete slab under the new red shade sail and some seating next to it to create a classroom / stage.

Marks IGA Reward Points

Thank you to all those families who nominate Mansfield Primary School for their IGA rewards points. This year we have been presented with a cheque for $2047. This money makes a real difference to our students; last year we used the money to purchase decodable readers for classrooms. If you shop at IGA and are not doing anything with your rewards points, please speak to one of the checkout staff and donate your points to Mansfield Primary School.

COVID and Illness

The last two weeks have seen an increase in COVID and illness amongst staff and students. Department of Health advice is that if someone tests positive, they should isolate for 5 days or until there are no further symptoms. Please let us know if your child has tested positive to COVID and keep them home if they are unwell.

We sent home extra RAT tests last week, please see the front office if you need more.

Education Week and Prep 2024 Transition

You would have seen a program for Education Week with open classrooms and lessons on High Street featuring in this newsletter. As part of Education Week, we have some Prep Transition activities planned. If you have a child starting Prep next year, please come along to our Parent Information Session (5:30pm Wednesday 17th May) and the Come and Play session (2:30pm – 3.30pm Thursday 18th May). School tours will be held each day - Monday 15th May to Friday 19th May at 9.30am If you know any families who are looking at enrolling their 2024 Preps please direct them to the MPS website.

New Time for Assemblies

We are trialling a new time for assemblies this term. Assemblies will be at 2:45pm on every second Friday instead of 3:00pm. This allows enough time to complete assembly and for students to return to class before the end of school. We’re hoping that this will be a more settled end to the day and help our bus travellers. Families are most welcome to join us for assemblies. The remaining dates this term are; 19th May, 2nd June, 23rd June (1.45pm - Last Day of Term2)

Music

We have a few minutes of music at the start of each day and at the end of each recess. Our music system is very old (there is still a cassette player as part of it) and, whilst the bell is still working, the music has stopped. Students have adapted to the new routine, and we are investigating solutions.

Working Bee: 28th May 11:00am until 1:00pm

The last couple of years have been challenging for working bees due to COVID restrictions. School Council would like to get back to our routine of one working bee each term. Please put 28th May in your diary. We are hoping to get lots of people here for a couple of hours. Many hands...

Grade 5 and 6 Skiing

Mt Buller has had some real challenges over the last couple of years and these have impacted operations for 2022. We are currently trying to work out how we can run our Grade 5 and 6 ski program in a way that works for everyone. An expression of interest note will be sent out next week.

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

Have a great weekend.

Take Care,

Tom

Important Dates

May 15th - 19th - Education Week

May 17th - Grade 4 Hike

May 19th - Walk Safely to School Day

May 19th - Division Champs AFL/Netball/Soccer/T-Ball G5/6

May 26th - Division Cross Country at Yea

May 28th - Working Bee

May 29th - PPD Day for staff - (Student free day, no students required at school.)

June 2nd - SES WOW Wear Orange Day

Notes from the Office

Family Details

If your family contact details have recently changed - residential address, contact numbers & or emergency contacts please update via e-forms on our Skoolbag app.

MEDICATION

All medication required during the day at school must be handed to the front office.

REMINDER

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.

AFTER SCHOOL ARRANGEMENTS

We have a busy Term 2! Please ensure your child is aware of what is happening after school, where they are going, who is picking them up and they know plan B if a after school activity is cancelled.

BUS TRAVEL

Any changes to your afternoon bus travel arrangements are to be made by 2.30pm of the day of travel. This can be made via the Skoolbag App under E-Forms, email or by phone.

If your child has started a new after school activity or football/netball/cricket training please update their bus travel arrangements.

SCHOOL UNIFORM

Uniform is to be ordered through Spartan School Supplies. www.spartanschoolworld.com.au

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. Thank you.

SKOOLBAG

A reminder to families (if you have not already updated) to update their child/s year level on Skoolbag. This is done by opening Skoolbag, selecting School profile, selecting groups, add/remove groups & then selecting your child/s grade including whole school.

Voluntary Contributions 2023

Thank you to families who have paid funds towards the voluntary contributions 2023. These contributions will enable us to provide valuable curriculum experiences in both the classroom and wider specialist programs.

Payments will continue to be accepted via Bpay, Eftpos, Cheque or Cash.

If you have misplaced your unique family Bpay biller code please contact the school office.

Applications for Camps, Sports & Excursions Fund (CSEF)

Applications for Camps, Sports & Excursions Fund

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

If you hold a valid means-tested concession card or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible for CSEF. A special consideration category also exists for asylum seeker and refugee families. The allowance is paid 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:

• $125 for primary school students

Download

State Schools' Relief Prep CSEF Uniform Package 2023

Applications for the 2023 Prep CSEF Uniform Package are now open & close end of Term 3.

Download

School Crossing Reminder

1. Wait behind the yellow line.

2. Only start to cross when the crossing supervisor blows the whistles twice.

3. One whistle means Stop.

Art Room

A call out for small detergent, handwash, sanitiser bottles for the art room please. If you have any of these empty bottles that you are happy to donate to the art room, we would much appreciate the donations.

ART SMOCKS

All students should have their own NAMED Art Smocks that is kept in their classroom and bought to art classes. The school does not provide smocks. We are continually making a mess in the Art room and don’t want your child’s uniform to be stained.

Smile Squad

Please see attached information on how to access free dental care.

Visit the Smile Squad website at: www.smilesquad.vic.gov.au to learn more.

National Walk Safely to School Day

National Walk Safely to School Day (WSTSD) is on Friday 19 May 2023. Now in its 24th year, the annual campaign encourages all primary school children, their parents and carers to walk safely and regularly to school. The event seeks to promote better health, road safety, public transport and the environment.

The objectives of National Walk Safely to School Day are:

• To encourage parents and carers to walk regularly to school with primary school age children

• To promote the health benefits of walking and create regular walking habits

• To help children develop vital road crossing skills and ensure children up to the age of 10 years hold an adult's hand when crossing the road

• To reduce car dependency and traffic congestion

• To reduce the level of air pollution created by motor vehicles

MPS Year 5 Camp

Here is a recount of the MPS grade 5 Anglesea camping trip.

On the first day we went to Vic market with $5 each to pick something we had never had before, we had heaps of fun exploring all the shops, then the groups walked to the Sothern cross station. We then boarded a train to Geelong. Once we arrived in Geelong, we boarded a big bus to Anglesea. The bus drove us to the caravan park. We set up and settled in after dinner the caterers offered us doughnuts!

After breakfast we went for a walk along the beach. After the beach walk, we got ready for stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking and an environmental estuary walk. After the three activities everyone headed back to camp and had free time until dinner. After dinner, we got ready for the talent show (the dumbos won).

The sun rose on the 3rd day, and we set off into our groups, some groups went surfing and the others had free time around the caravan park. After a while we swapped. Our after-dinner activity was trivia. So much fun!

The last day arrived, and the massive journey home was about to begin. We woke early to get a start on packing up everything. We stopped at Southern Cross Station on the way home, and all got $10 to spend on whatever lunch we wanted. We all managed to find some delicious food.

We arrived back at MPS at 6:30pm.

A big thank you to everyone who helped make it happen!

SES WOW Day

The SES WOW Day for MPS is on Friday 2nd June.

The day is designed to build the links between the community and SES, raise awareness of what SES does and give the community an opportunity to say thank you to our volunteers.

There will be an information session in the playground during 2nd recess/lunch and a short presentation given at assembly.

Students are invited to wear ORANGE to celebrate this day.

Performing Arts news May

The Performing Arts leadership team from year 6 have been enjoying visiting some junior and middle school lessons with Mrs Sketcher recently. The senior students assist with small groups, or helping with demonstrations with Mrs Sketcher. Sometimes they help record data or teach their own section of a lesson.

Well done to Kayden, Elliot, Coco and Poppy. We hope you come help in the music room again soon.

Poppy is also continuing her leadership skills by leading our choir this term. Amazing! Students have enjoyed learning to sing some new songs and training their listening ears and choir voices. Poppy is soooo organised that she even emails her “choir lesson plan” to Mrs Sketcher before her choir lunchtime sessions. Choir is for anyone in years 1-6, Tuesday/Thursday 2nd lunch. La La La La Laaaaa!

Our prep classes used boomwhackers to cheer on the cross country runners….IT WAS LOUD and FUN! And finally….it’s so fun to hear everyone who comes to practise at lunchtime on their instruments. Micah, Sam, Jack, Olga, Willam, Ashley and many more are always coming to work on new beats or tunes. Special mention to Sam, Darius and Micah for their end of term 1 assembly gig! What superstars!!