Newsletter - 2 August 2024

Principal's Highlights

Dear Families

What a fantastic beginning to the term! One of my key objectives as Principal is to visit classrooms and engage with students about their learning. It’s genuinely heartwarming to hear their enthusiasm for what they’re discovering and to see them eagerly present their work. I’m consistently amazed by the confidence, articulation, and eagerness of our learners at Mount Nelson Primary. Every day, I observe outstanding examples of Inquiry, student engagement, and exceptional learning. I’m thrilled to be part of such an inspiring community of learners.

Following professional development with educational Inquiry expert David Gilkes, our school is focusing on the concept of ‘Change’ this term. Students will explore different perspectives of change, and our teachers are committed to encouraging student agency and self-reflection across the school. Our goal is to deepen students’ engagement and enrich their learning experience. We’re excited to invite you to open afternoons at the end of the term, where we will celebrate student learning and achievement.

Our newly renamed Launching into Learning Program, Little Seeds, is designed for children aged 0-5 years and runs on Thursday mornings during term time. This program offers a range of engaging activities and experiences that support early development and learning. It’s a great opportunity for young children to explore, play, and interact in a structured and nurturing environment. Additionally, it’s a wonderful opportunity for parents and caregivers to connect and build a supportive community. Please spread the word and encourage others to join our Little Seeds program, we look forward to welcoming new families and sharing this wonderful experience!

Further great news, our pre-kinder program for students starting Kinder in 2025 began today. This program plays a crucial role in preparing children for their transition to formal schooling by fostering early learning and social skills in a supportive environment. We’re excited to support your child’s growth and look forward to a rewarding experience for everyone involved.

We welcome a number of new students and staff and know that our children will make them feel like a part of the Mount Nelson Primary Team in no time!

Staff Movements

Rebecca Gould has now started her maternity leave. We would like to thank Bec for the substantial contribution she has made to our school over the last few years, and we wish her well as she begins this period of leave.

We welcome Ms Katie O’Keefe and Ms Amelia Skerrett who will assume the teaching role for Bec’s class for this term.  Mrs Katie O’Keefe will then become the full-time teacher for that class for the remainder of the year.

A huge thank you and welcome to Kate MacGregor for filling in for Sheree while she is on leave! Please be aware a new book week parade date will be announced in the coming weeks...!

Kind regards

Catherine Grace
Principal

Student Voice

Hello, it’s the School Executives here with an update on what’s been going on. One of the main things that you would have noticed is the grades 3 to 5 heading off to Learn to Swim for the past 2 weeks! Some of the grade 5 have shared their experience at the pool so far:

Hamish - "the pool has been pretty good we have been learning backstroke freestyle and a lot more."

Chelsea - "learn to swim has been good we have been learning the strokes and been doing pin drops."

Bronte - "so far, we have had 6 lessons that go for an hour.  We have learned the strokes and how to save someone from drowning."

That’s all that been happening around the school. 
Have a great weekend!

2024 School Executives

Class Spotlight - 4/5/6S

Excursion to the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG)

"On Thursday 25^th of July 4/5/6S and 4M went to TMAG to look at the Journey of Tasmania. Our guide was Richard, and he took 4/5/6S first (my class).
We had to put our bags first into a cage, so we didn’t lose our bags. We all went downstairs, and we saw animals that are native and not native. We also saw weapons and artifacts from the Europeans when they came down here.
After that we went back up and saw a statue. The statue was called “Graham”, and he was built to survive car crashes and our roads. I thought Graham was creepy at first but started to get more interested about him.
We went to an area that had a Tasmanian Tiger statue and the skeleton of it. Richard said that the room was dark because if there was light in the room, the fur of the Tasmanian Tiger will fade away.
There were other magnificent rooms, but my favourite was the Tasmanian Tiger room, I hope to go again and see more artifacts."

Brianna, 4/5/6S Student

"I saw shells. 
I patted a wombat."

Kerry, 4/5/6S Student

"On Thursday 25^th of July 4/5/6s and 4m class went to Tasmanian museum and art gallery (TMAG). When we arrived, we had a tour called journey to Tasmania this nice guy called Richard was our tour guide. We went into a room with lots of animals like snakes, pigs, fish, and lots more. Next, we went to the main bit of the museum and went into some rooms like the Tassie Tiger’s room and the next room we had to draw a picture of an animal in the room me and Ted drew a lizard and Tommy drew a snake. We went back outside and ate some recess we came back inside and look at paintings, guns and old stuff after we finished looking at painting, we ate lunch and went to swimming."

Louis Y, 4/5/6S Student

"On Thursday the 25^th of July 4/5/6S and 4M went to the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) First when we went in, we talked to our guide Richard about TMAG and the buildings. Then After that we went into a room full of stuffed animals which also included artifacts which was personally one of my favourite rooms in TMAG. Shortly later we had a look at a big animal that had lived in Tasmania not too long ago called a diprotodon that looked a lot like a big wombat and there we also looked at some fossils which I found to be interesting. A little while we looked at this person called Graham who was supposed to be able to survive a car crash at any time which was quite weird, and I personally think this was one of my least favourite rooms. Then we got to the Tasmanian Tiger room which was cool. We first looked at a model of the tiger which was fun then we watched a bit of footage of the last Tassie Tiger which I personally think this was one the best rooms there. Slowly we looked at some bones from a whale which were cool, and I found quite intriguing. We then went into a room full of old artifacts and Richard told us what they were used for, and I personally liked this room. About 10 minutes later, we looked at a room full of more stuffed animals and other sea creatures and wildlife. Richard then talked to us about types of rocks and then let us hold a stuffed wombat and some other things which were cool. We then looked at some old famous paintings by a painter named Lloyd Rees which was fun. Then the last thing we did after having recess was exploring by ourselves and looking around then we had our lunch and left on the bus to go straight to the collegiate pool.

For my conclusion I personally loved the experience of going to TMAG and you should go there as well. I’m excited to learn more about TMAG as that’s our inquiry.

Overall, it was a good day."

Basti, 4/5/6S Student

Staff Spotlight - Miss S

What days do you work?
I work every Friday in 2/3G

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I like to hike, garden and spend time with friends and family. 

Do you have any pets?
Yes! I have a cat named Xena.

Where is your favourite place to travel to?
My favourite place to travel to is New Zealand to visit family.

What is the best part about your job?
Meeting new and like-minded people and getting to know lots of new students!

If you weren’t in the job that you’re in now, what job would you be doing?
I would be working outdoors, doing gardening or landscaping. 🌱

What is your favourite Sport to watch in the Olympics?
I like to watch the Basketball! 🏀

Young Archies

What makes a great portrait?

During Term 2, some students were involved in an Art extension group to investigate the elements that make a great portrait and how to bring them together. They have experimented with line, tone, shading, colour, pattern and design and a variety of media, in the quest to develop their own portraiture skills and create a visually striking work of art. Who were their subjects? Students chose someone who was personally known to them and attempted to capture their significance and the essence of the person’s character through their work. The program was inspired by the Young Archies Awards run by the DECYP each year, based on the famous Archibald Art Prize.

Take a walk through our portrait gallery in the foyer to view their amazing work. (Masterpieces)

Here are the young artists at work.

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Science Week!

NAPLAN

NAPLAN individual student reports (ISRs) were sent out last week. A Parent Information Brochure for each parent/carer, developed by the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), was also enclosed.

Both the information within the brochure and the ISR itself explain the new proficiency levels that NAPLAN results are now reported against. Further information for parents and teachers about these changes is available at https://nap.edu.au/naplan/results-and-reports/proficiency-level-descriptions 

Student Achievements!

Last weekend 6 Mount Nelson Primary students, who play AusKick with the Kingborough Tigers, got to run onto the ground and play at half time of the AFL North Melbourne V Geelong game. Was a super exciting experience for them all!

Xander M (Prep F), Jed M (1/2BC), Oliver O (Kinder), Harrison O (1/2BC), Hugo MC (1/2BC), Vinnie Fitze (Prep F) not pictured.

If your child has been selected to be part of a representative team, has won a prize in performing arts, has a part in a major stage production or any other significant achievement outside of school, let us know via the webform below so that we can share the news and celebrate the achievement in our school newsletter.  Let's Celebrate!!

From the School Nurse

Pre-Kinder!

Navigating Friendships - Lisa Ford

Afterschool Safety and Duty of Care

Thank you to all the parents who are choosing to park in the bottom carpark for pick up at 3 pm, this has reduced the traffic in our top carpark.

Please note, when organising your pick-up points after school, please remind your children that they need to be waiting, with their belongings and ready for pick up.  A teacher is on duty in a fluro vest in the top carpark from 3 - 3.10 pm. This helps ensures the safety of all students and maintain smooth traffic flow.

If you have a meeting point in the playground and are unable to arrive at the designated meeting point by 3 pm, your child should wait with the duty teacher at the top carpark until you arrive. This is a standard practice to ensure the child's safety and supervision until they can be reunited with their parent or guardian. As you would understand we need to know who has duty for care of our students at all times.

To ensure the safety of our students, after 3 pm, students may only engage in activities on the ovals and school grounds if accompanied by a parent or carer. Staff are unable to supervise children in these areas beyond this time.

Please be reminded that there is no supervision provided before 8.30 am, and children should not arrive at school before this time. If you need to drop your child off before 8.30 am, please contact Lady Gowrie for Before School Care. Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring the safety and well-being of all students.

Kind regards
Catherine Grace

Is it Bullying?

ESafety Website

Have you accessed the esafety website before? It is Australia’s independent regulator for online safety.

Online safety | eSafety Commissioner

There are loads of great resources to support your family as you navigate the online world, including a handbook titled ‘Online safety, A guide for parents and carers’. Please see the link below.

Online safety book | eSafety Commissioner

Car Park Update

'No Standing' signs have now been installed to help traffic flow at drop off and pick up times. This measure is designed to prevent parking on both sides of the street, thereby mitigating driveway blockages for residents and reducing overall congestion. 

Front Car Park Reminders:

• If you are the first car in the carpark for pick up, please drive right through the carpark and 
  begin lining up from the top to avoid congestion. 
• Please do not leave your vehicle while in the “park and sit” lane.  If a car in front of you exits 
  the carpark or moves forward, please shuffle forward so other cars behind can fit in. 
• If the “park and sit” lane is full, please use the right-hand lane to do a block until a spot becomes available. 

BOTTOM CAR PARK 
To control congestion in the front car park, we encourage families to utilize the bottom car park as an alternative parking option to help distribute traffic more evenly.  This will ensure a smoother experience for all families and the Mount Nelson community during peak times.

We have now unlocked the bottom gates for easier access to collect students in the afternoon. 

Chess Club - Term 3

After School Activities