Mentone Park Primary School acknowledges the Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners of the land on which we learn and play.

We value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and cultures’ and recognise their connection to lands, waters and communities.

We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

Dear Mentone Park, Primary School families, 

What a fantastic beginning we've had to Term 3! As I write this, we're now two weeks into the term, and I couldn't be more pleased with how our students have settled back into school. They truly are little superstars! 

A Wonderful Start to Term 3 

The positive energy around our school has been wonderful.  I've had the pleasure of witnessing countless acts of kindness both in our classrooms and around the playground. Whether it’s students helping a friend with their work, sharing at recess, or simply offering a to play with someone who needs it, our children are demonstrating our school values that make our school community so special. 

What has impressed me most is the genuine love of learning I'm seeing every day in the classroom. Each morning, I visit each class and I see our students engaged, curious and ready to give their very best efforts.  

The enthusiasm we each bring to MPPS is infectious, and it's clear that our children are embracing every opportunity to grow and learn. 

An Exciting Term Ahead 

We have an action-packed Term 3 planned that will provide rich learning experiences for all our students. Every class will have the opportunity to participate in an educational excursion, taking their learning beyond the classroom. Additionally, we're hosting several incursions here at school, bringing educational experiences directly to our students. 

These hands-on learning opportunities are designed to complement our classroom programs and provide our children with memorable experiences that will enhance their understanding and spark their curiosity. Please continue to keep an eye on Compass for these updates. 

As we continue through Term 3, I'm filled with excitement about what lies ahead for our school community. The positive start we've had sets us up well for what I know will be a term full of joy, growth and achievement. 

Thank you to all our families for your continued support in making Mentone Park Primary School the best school ever! 

Leisa 

Dear Parents, Guardians & Caregivers, 

I hope you are all well and that your children have had a great first two weeks back at MPPS! 

Be Your Best @ MPPS! 

During Week 1 of Term 3, teachers and ES staff spent valuable time with students re-teaching and further emphasising the importance of our morning routine, classroom expectations, Positive Classroom Management Strategies non-negotiables and the MPPS Positive Behaviour Matrix. These classroom expectations, procedures and routines were successfully established at the beginning of this year, and we have introduced Best You Best @ MPPS! to ensure they are fully embedded and being implemented to a consistently high standard right across the school. We will be explicitly revisiting these, and any future additions, in the first week of each term to continue to support students and staff to best their best here at MPPS!  

A Change to the Morning Music Timing 

As communicated via a Compass Post on Friday 25/7, the morning music now begins at 8:48am, instead of 8:45am. This change began on Monday (28/7) of this week and means that the music will now only run for 2 minutes, which is how long the music runs at the end of recess and lunchtime. 

We have made this change to minimise the time that students are lining up in their safety lines before school. We hope that this change provides students with a little bit more time to play/socialise before the music starts and that they can head into class at 8:50am even more ready to learn! 

We thank all the students, parents and staff that we consulted with for their feedback on this change. 

Term 3 Positive Classroom Management Strategies (PCMSs) 

In Semester One of this year, and in the second half of 2024, as a whole school we focussed on PCMS 1: Classroom Expectations, PCMS 2: Classroom Procedures & Routines and Teacher Behaviours that Strengthen Relationships with Students. During this time, we have collected a variety of data measuring our collective efficacy with these via peer observations, learning walks and self-assessment surveys. The results have been really positive, and we will continue to work hard to fully embed these into our learning environment here at MPPS. 

In Term 3, we will be introducing PCMS 4: Discouraging Inappropriate Behaviour. This will inform the work that staff will be completing in the development of a Behaviour Response Flowchart, that will complement our recently launched MPPS Positive Behaviour Matrix. Simply put, the Matrix clearly outlines the expectations for students in all areas of the school and the Flowchart will ensure that staff have a clear, fair and effective process for discouraging any inappropriate behaviour. This work is being led by Sub-School Team Leaders (Kate Drummond & Nick Griffin) and our Wellbeing Leader (Pamela Kousis). We are aiming to share what we have developed with students and parents by the end of the term. Ideally, we will progress to focussing on PCMS 3: Encouraging Expected Behaviour in Term 4!

ThinkUKnow Cybersafety & Security Online Presentation 

On Tuesday 29/7 at 6pm, MPPS hosted an online presentation for parents and staff from ThinkUKnow on cybersafety and security. The session was facilitated by Gary Trytell (Industry Partner) and Caroline Wagner (Senior Constable at Mordialloc Police Station). The main topics covered within the session were: the common platforms/methods in which young people can encounter potentially harmful people online, the support law enforcement and other organisations can provide to parents and young people regarding cybersafety and security, and the way in which parents and teachers can best support young people with safely navigating the internet. Whether or not you were able to attend the session, I strongly encourage all parents and staff to visit the ThinkUKnow website (https://www.thinkuknow.org.au/). The Resources tab provides easily digestible and age-appropriate advice, fact sheets, home activities, etc. on a wide range of topics relevant to cybersafety and security, for both parents, carers and teachers. Gary especially promoted the Family Online Safety Contract as an effective method for setting some clear expectations between children and parents when accessing the internet. This ThinkUKnow resource I will share with you all via a separate post on Compass. 

Yours sincerely, 

Nathan Hutchins 

Assistant Principal 

Important Dates

In the Spotlight / Overview:

We have thoroughly enjoyed hearing about the students’ holiday experiences and are pleased to see them return ready for another engaging term of learning. Although this is a shorter term, it is filled with valuable and exciting opportunities. Students will participate in an excursion to ACMI, attend a Life Education session with a focus on building positive friendships, and take part in Book Week celebrations. These will include a book parade, book fair, story times, and a range of enriching literacy activities. The term will conclude with our school swimming program, making it a productive and enjoyable term for all. 

Heads Up!

Parent Helpers 

This term we would love to welcome parents and guardians into the classrooms on Tuesday's and Wednesday's 8.50 - 9.05AM to assist with our daily reading. All classroom helpers must have a current Working With Children Check on record with the school office. If you would like to help out, please put your name on the sign-up sheet located on the noticeboard outside the Foundation rooms. We ask for no more than 2 volunteers per class per day. We understand that plans change, if you have a volunteered a day that you can no longer do, simply cross your name out, so that somebody else can volunteer. 

Life Education 

Just a kind reminder to grant permission and complete the payment for the Life Education session through Compass by Monday, August 4th. If eligible, you may use CSEF or SSB. For any questions about payment, please visit the office. 

Literacy: We have been learning the single sounds /j/ and /w/. In Writing, we’ve been practising how to complete sentence starters using the word ‘because’ to explain our ideas. We’ve also started our Narrative unit, where we are learning to understand what a character is and how to describe the setting in a story.

Numeracy:We are learning about subtraction within 10. We are practising how to count and find the answer by looking at pictures, drawing their own number stories, and using materials like counters and ten-frames. We are also learning how to create their own subtraction stories to match pictures. These activities help build a strong understanding of how taking away works in everyday situations.

Inquiry:We are learning to talk about the people in their families and how they are connected to them. We are also beginning to explore and understand different family traditions, recognising that every family is unique and special in its own way.

Wellbeing:We are teaching students how to work together as a team to solve problems and complete challenges, and how to show empathy by thinking about how others might be feeling. We are also learning that while our brains often focus on the negatives, we can train them to notice the good things around us. 

Recognising TIER Role Models

Christopher C - For writing a great recount orientation about to mini golf on the holidays. We love to you having a go! 

Hudson R - For showing great persistence in Maths this week by creating your own addition sum to match the number story. You counted carefully to find the total. It was wonderful to see your confidence shining through! Well done!

Important Dates

In the Spotlight / Overview:

Welcome back to Term 3! We hope everyone had a lovely break. It’s already Week 2 and we’ve jumped straight into our learning!  

This term, our Inquiry topic is History with a focus on ‘The Past and Present.’ Thank you to the students who have returned their interview questions. The students are really enjoying sharing their responses. If you have any ‘old fashioned’ items at home that you would be happy to share with us – please let us know! 

We have a jam-packed term ahead so keep up to date with Compass posts and newsletters! Some upcoming term highlights include an excursion to the museum, Life Education sessions, Book Week and the swimming program! The Book Week Parade will take place on Monday 18th August at 9:10 am and you are all welcome to come along and watch! The Book Fair will take place from Monday 18th- Thursday 21st August. If you can help run the fair before or after school, please contact Emma Free.

Heads Up!

House Keeping/Friendly Reminders  

• Please make sure your child/children are in full school uniform every day.  

• Ensure all items such as school jumpers, lunchboxes and containers are clearly labelled.  

• Students bring their library book and bag to school every Wednesday. 

• Students read their take home books each night and enter it into their Reading Diary and bring their Black Communication Folder with their books and their Reading Diary to school each day.  

Life Education Van   
 
Our Life Education topic is Growing Good Friends – Nurturing our bodies and friends. This 60-minute session will cover the following topics:  

• define who the “special people” are in our lives
• identify ways to make new friends and maintain healthy friendships
• the importance of kindness and showing care to others
• explore how positive relationships benefit our health and wellbeing

Writing: We are learning to understand and write a procedural text. We have written a procedure based on making a cup of Milo and are now writing our own steps to teach a classmate a thing we are good at. We have also been learning to edit the punctuation in pieces of writing and identify compound sentences in a paragraph.

InitiaLit: 

• Year 1s: The ‘bossy e’ split digraph and how it affects all vowels. Tricky words including work, baby and children. Our storybook has been ‘The Story About Ping’ by Marjorie Flack, with the WOW words swiftly, dashed and pale. 
• Year 2s: The digraphs ‘ow’ as in cow, ‘ou’ as in cloud and ch’ saying /k/ as in ‘school’. We have also been using the comprehension strategy of ‘inferring’. Our storybook has been ‘The Day the Crayons Came Home’ by Drew Daywalt, with the WOW words survive, horrified and damaged.  

Numeracy: We are learning to investigate the properties of 2D shapes, including identifying and sorting regular and irregular polygons. 

Inquiry: We are learning to understand what “the past” and “the present” mean.   

Wellbeing: We are learning to practise the skill of belly breathing as a mindfulness tool. 

Recognising TIER Role Models

Dustin B – for his enthusiasm during Maths lessons, always ready to contribute and learn new concepts! 

Ravya K – For writing a detailed holiday recount with great descriptions, lots of details and correct punctuation. Keep up the great work, Ravya! 

Nuthara P – for being a great asset to the classroom, being kind to others and always trying her best!

Important Dates

In the Spotlight / Overview:

Welcome to Term 3! This term is a busy one, so please keep an eye on Compass for information and updates about upcoming events.  

Book Week is being held from Monday 18th to Friday 22nd August. The theme this year is "Book an Adventure!" On Monday 18th August, MPPS Students (and staff!) are invited to come to school dressed as a favourite book character and/or bring along their favourite book. A parade will be held in the morning, and students will participate in various book-themed activities throughout the day. 

Heads Up!

A reminder that bikes and scooters must be dismounted before entering the school grounds (at the school gates) and students should always walk their bicycles and scooters whilst on school grounds to ensure safety of all students, families and staff. 

Lost jumpers and lunchboxes are already starting to accumulate in lost property.  Please clearly mark all your children's clothing and property with both first and last name – this will greatly assist in the item finding its way back to its owner. 

Literacy: We are learning to write contractions using cross, pop and slide and about the lazy vowel sound, the “schwa” (it just says “uh”). We are also learning to understand and use new vocabulary words from our class novel ‘Charlotte’s Web’.

Numeracy: We are learning to represent multiplication and division problems and create number sentences from worded problems.

Inquiry: Last week we started our Term 3 Inquiry Unit: “Celebrations and Commemorations around the World”. Students will be introduced to celebrations and commemorations observed globally and here in Australia. They will investigate cultural diversity and the history and significance of celebrations and commemorations from around the world. 

Wellbeing: We are learning to practise gratitude for our bodies, and to experience then describe the difference between being‘mind full’ and ‘mindful’.

Recognising TIER Role Models

Congratulations to our most recent TIER Role Models! 

Joshua W – For writing and publishing an impressive factual recount on World War 2, including descriptive detail and emotive language to engage the reader. 

Mitchell Q – For displaying excellence throughout the planning writing and publishing stages of his factual recount about Rick Riordan's life! 

Aimi J – for demonstrating teamwork by settling so well into her new school and establishing strong connections with her peers.
 

Aidan S – For showing improved focus and effort this week, especially when completing your holiday recount. Well done! 

Important Dates

In the Spotlight / Overview:

Congratulations to our Senior School students who have returned rested and ready for another sensational term! It’s been a lovely start by beginning new topics, reestablishing good learning habits and implementing the Positive Behaviour Matrix. As can be seen from the important dates above, Term 3 is shaping up to be jam packed full of wonderful events and learning opportunities. Please ensure you check Compass regularly for all details and to provide consent.

Heads Up!

District Basketball -    
After a series of trials, well done to those students who have been selected to represent MPPS at the upcoming District Basketball Gala Day. Competing in a round robin against others schools at Parkdale Secondary, we wish the following students the best of luck:  

Girls: Asha C, Mackenzie O, Ash M, Isla D, Zoe and Annabel A and Jade. 

Boys: River B, Bailey E, Aston L, Ben W, Evan K, James B and Lennox S.

Health -  

We have a student returned to school whose immune system is currently compromised due to medical treatment. We know our school community values care, compassion, and looking out for one another — and this is one of those moments where we can all make a difference. We kindly ask that you keep your child at home if they are unwell. If your child/ren are diagnosed with chickenpox or measles this must be reported to the general office as soon as possible. 

Literacy:Read and respond to our class novel, Once by Morris Gleitzman. Use symbols to create notes from sentences (notetaking).

Numeracy: Write, rename, order and compare decimals to the thousandths, using number lines and place value grids

Inquiry: Exploring defining moments in Australian history since Federation, in particular the experiences of First Nations People and Migrants.

Wellbeing: Understand that a strong sense of purpose can be derived from showing empathy and kindness towards others.

Recognising TIER Role Models

Haru R – For demonstrating excellence throughout his notetaking for our novel study, ‘Once’. These notes really helped him to complete an amazing creative task!

Matilda Henderson – For demonstrating excellence in the classroom, she always completes her classwork to a high standard and sets a positive example to her peers. Well done, Matilda! 

In the Spotlight / Overview: 

In Auslan, we have been focusing on the important of story telling and the importance of “showing not telling” when sharing stories.   

Storytelling plays an important role in the Deaf Community as it allows people to share their stories inclusively with everyone not just Deaf or Hard of Hearing People.  

We have focused on using Constructive Action and Depicting Signs to retell a story visually, with increased understanding on the importance of facial expressions.   

Foundation to Grade 2 students watched people from the Deaf Community retell either “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” or “The Three Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf” before practicing their own visual story of “Jack and the Beanstalk” and presented back to their peers. 

In Grade 3/4 students explored ways to describe Disney Characters using movement, hands and facial expressions and will present their own Disney Character and story back to class next week. 

In Grade 5/6 students explored a range of different stories visually told by a Deaf Person and have written their own stories using a Disney Character to visually present back to class next week. 

We look forward to seeing students using Story Telling using their hands, movement and facial expressions out in the community.  

Recognising TIER Role Models 
 
Kit M – For participating with respect during our Auslan. Well done Kit! 

Athletics in Action! 

Sports Day – Thursday 14th August, 12:00pm-3pm

Check Compass this week for full event details!

In PE this term, students across all year levels have been getting active and preparing for our upcoming Sports Day with a focus on all things running and jumping! So far, we’ve been working on a range of leg-based athletic skills, including running, skipping, hopping, sprinting and high jump.

Here’s how it’s all been progressing across the school:

? Foundation – Year 2

Our youngest students have been exploring how their bodies move by practising skills like running with control, hopping on one foot, and skipping with rhythm. These activities help build balance, coordination and confidence in movement.

? Years 3 – 4

Students in Years 3–4 have been refining their running technique, building endurance, and practising short sprints. We’ve also introduced skipping drills and high jump basics, encouraging safe landings and use of arms for lift.

? Years 5 – 6

Our senior students have been working on sprint technique, skipping efficiency, and high jump form – with a focus on using movement strategies to improve performance. We’ve explored how body positioning, arm drive and take-off technique can influence speed and height.

There’s been fantastic energy and effort from every student so far — and we’re just getting started! Over the next few weeks, we’ll continue building on these skills by introducing more events to get everyone ready for Sports Day.

Keep an eye on Compass this week for all the details, and get excited — the countdown is on!

In the Spotlight / Overview 

Throughout term 3 we will be looking at Earth and Space Sciences in STEAM. 

Our Foundation students brainstormed a huge list of different types of weather they are aware of. We looked at common weather symbols used in forecasts and discussed different activities we like to do depending on the weather. 

The grade 1/2 students will be exploring our vast solar system. We have been practising recalling the 8 planets and looked at the phases our moon goes through. 

Our grade 3/4 students have begun exploring the difference between weather and climate. They researched the current local weather as well as weather in major cities around the world. We began a discussion on how seasons differ between hemispheres. 

The grade 5/6 students have begun researching extreme weather and natural disasters. So far, they have looked at earthquakes and tsunamis and the devastation they can cause to both lives and the landscape. 

Recognising TIER Role Models  
  
Jack B – for participating positively in STEAM and completing his work to a high standard. Keep it up!
 

Dear Mentone Park families, 

We hope you’ve enjoyed taking time to reflect with your children through our previous GEM Chat activities. This fortnight, our focus shifts to Mindful Movement, an opportunity to connect body and mind through purposeful and present action. 

Review from previous newsletter edition: 
At Mentone Park Primary School, we are committed to supporting student wellbeing and resilience through our whole school approach The Resilience Project (TRP). Your child is already exploring the key principles of Gratitude, Empathy, Mindfulness (GEM), Emotional Literacy, and Connection in their learning. Now, we invite you to bring these strategies into the home with our ongoing GEM Chat activities. 

What is Mindful Movement? 
In our busy lives, we often move without thinking, rushing from one place to another while our minds race ahead. Mindful movement encourages us to slow down and notice how our bodies feel in motion, helping us become more calm, grounded and aware. 

This Fortnight’s GEM Chat Home Activity: Family Walking Meditation 
We invite Mentone Park families to take a short walk together and explore mindful movement. As you walk, focus on each step you take. Notice the rhythm of your breath, the swing of your arms, and the feeling of your feet connecting with the ground, heel, ball, toe. 

After your walk, reflect together: 

• Did the walk help you feel more calm or focused? 

• Was it difficult or easy to stay present in the moment? 

• Where else in your day could mindful movement help you feel more balanced? 

Taking even a few minutes each day to move with intention can help create a sense of calm and clarity, for both children and adults alike. 

Warm regards, 
Pamela Kousis 
Student Wellbeing Coordinator 

Reporting to the Office

Hello everyone,

Just a friendly reminder that all visitors must report to the Office and sign in or out — whether you are assisting with a fundraiser, collecting your child for an appointment, bringing them late to school, or visiting for any other reason.

When you arrive, please wait for our office staff to assist you with the sign-in or sign-out process. They will then collect your child from class or escort them back to class as needed.

Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and organised school environment.

THANK YOU!

Our MPPS Annual Trivia Night was an absolute hit — so many laughs, incredible costumes, and plenty of friendly competition! 

We’re thrilled to announce that together we raised $4,807.30 for our school! 

A huge shout-out to all the amazing volunteers, organisers, and fundraisers who made the night possible — we couldn’t do it without you. Your time, energy, and generosity make such a difference to our school community.

Thank you to everyone who came along and supported the event. We can’t wait to do it all again next year!

PFA – Term 3 & 4 – We’re Halfway There!

The PFA still has some wonderful events coming up in Term 3 and Term 4, including the Father’s Day Stall & Breakfast, Colour Run, Grandparents’ Morning Tea, Bunnings BBQ, and Year 6 Graduation.

To make these events a success, we need your support — whether that’s helping out on the day, lending a hand behind the scenes, or simply sharing your ideas.

If you’d like to stay in the loop and get involved, please make sure you’re signed up and connected with Bree Owens:
bree.owens@hotmail.com | 0438 140 732

Thank you for your continued support — it really does make a massive difference!

CHOIR IS BACK FRIDAY 18th AUGUST

Brad is back! 
We’re excited to announce that Choir will be starting again for Term 3 on Friday, 18th August.
Choir is open to all students in Grades 3–6 — come along and join the fun!

LOST PROPERTY

PLEASE take a moment to check lost property located in the Kids Cafe for any missing clothing. Within the next few weeks items that have not be collected will be added to the second hand unifrom store, as we have quite the collection!

Lunchtime Library Schedule

Poco Music is an external Music Lesson Provider to our school.

Please see below for more details.

NEW LUNCH ORDER MENU

New menu items in Term 3 are a Quesadilla (Chicken) served with Sour Cream; Tandoori Chicken Puff Parcel with Mango Chutney; Carrot Cup Cake (Gluten Free, Dairy Free & Vegan); and Harvest Snaps.  

The Poke Bowl has been a huge hit and will continue this term along with our other "new in Term 2 items" - Soft Shell Chicken Tacos with Salsa, Cheese & Salad; Sausage Rolls with Tomato Sauce; Lamingtons; Corn Chips with Mild Salsa; and "Not Cross" Buns.

The children will also be excited to learn that the Margherita Pizza TWIST will be returning for Term 3!

Please note, our menu is all served cold/room temperature.

After-School ART CLASS! 

Do you have a little artist at home? Let their creativity shine!

WHEN: Every Thursday
WHERE: In the Art Room
TIME: 3:40 PM – 5:00 PM
Bring a snack!

First class FREE! 

Come and create with us!