Week 2, Term 4, 2020

Dear MOPS Families

Welcome to the first newsletter for this final term of 2020. As we move into the last term, my encouragement to staff and students is to finish well. I believe this message is especially important for our Year 7 students who will soon be completing their primary years, celebrating their transition to secondary school and adult hood. For our staff it means seeing our efforts through to the end of another year, trying not to have any loose ends; to leave nothing in the tank, but go into the Christmas /New Year break knowing that we have done our very best for the students in our care.

“Be the hero of your own story. Show the world the quality of your character, the strength of your resolve and the size of your heart by finishing strong.” — Gary Ryan Blair

Last Monday was a Student Free Day where staff underwent training in the Seven Steps for Writing Success program. This was the second day of training in this program. Again we had the privilege of partnering with the staff from Nicolson Avenue Primary School. Just a reminder that we have one more and final Student Free Day at the end of Week 5. This day will be spent reviewing our improvement agenda of this year and making the necessary changes and establishing goals and procedures for the 2021 school year.

I am pleased to announce that some of the building works that have been occurring throughout recent months have now been completed. Staff can now enjoy having a dedicated space in which to conduct our numerous meetings that we have with families, support services and outside agencies. This room is situated at the beginning of the Junior Primary corridor, adjacent to the administration area. We are also excited about the completion of the new wellbeing space situated between Rooms 14 and 15. This space will provide an office and meeting area for our Student Wellbeing Leader and Pastoral Care Worker (when we get one!!). It will also serve as a safe retreat for students who may need some timeout to help regulate their emotions if feeling distressed in any way. This room was officially opened on Wednesday morning by our newly appointed Student Wellbeing Leader in Ms Karen Iversen. Congratulations Karen on winning this position for a further two years.

Fourth term heralds numerous end of year activities that are an important part of our MOPS calendar. These include; the Year 7 Graduation, Awards Night and our much loved Family Night. It would be of no surprise to most families however, that due to COVID-19 protocols and restrictions, these events may look a little different compared to previous years. Staff have begun to review these events, working with all relevant personnel and venue management to determine how they can best be staged with minimal inconvenience to families and still meet all SA Health Requirements. We will inform all families of any details relating to these events as soon as they are finalised.

It is pleasing to know that some of our school camps planned for earlier in the year have still been able to proceed, despite the interruptions of COVID-19. This week is a busy week for both our senior and Reception students who will be enjoying a camping experience. The staff and students from Rooms 3, 15 and 16 will be attending Arbury Park Outdoor School from Monday to Friday. Arbury Park is a well-established and renowned facility that has educated and thrilled thousands of South Australian school students over many years, offering unique opportunities to explore and learn about our environment. I have attended this camp on several occasions and can personally testify to the amazing experiences and the deep learning on offer for staff and students. Our youngest students will have the thrill of expreinceing their first taste of camp and extra-curricular activities on Thursday and Friday, staying overnight at Bunyarra Christian Centre. I wish all staff and students safe travel and happy adventures during their respective camps and all parents a peaceful few days minus their children!!

Finally, it is my privilege to again welcome some new students and their families to MOPS. Welcome to Riley and Levi Roberts who come to us from Port Augusta. We also welcome

Cooper Clough from Adelaide. We are glad that you have chosen our school and hope you will enjoy your time as part of our school family.

Brett

Week 3

Zoe Pickin, Kelly Schuster, Ebony Clarke.

Week 4

Saxon Kittel, Jake Gooding, Joshua Rawlings.