Parents
Before & After School Care
How the service was established
It was identified in 1995 that there was a need for an After School Care Program at Mornington Primary School. Out of School Hours Care gives parents peace of mind. The children are well cared for in a familiar environment – within the School Hall and grounds.
In Term 1 of 1997, Before School Care was established as a pilot program. Due to the support of families and the school community, this program was later funded. The OSCH program is funded through the Australian Government.
Philosophy
At Mornington Primary School we are proud to acknowledge the Boon Wurrung/ Bunurong people as the traditional owners of the land.
Our philosophy is to provide a warm, caring and supportive learning environment throughout our Before and After Care program. We promote positive attitudes, personal growth and respect for others.
We encourage the physical, emotional and social well-being of our students whilst maintaining a safe environment. We follow the National Quality Standards, My Time Our Place framework for School Age Care as we support and guide the students through play, rest and relaxation.
We welcome and are inclusive of all students and their families from all cultures and cultural backgrounds.
We endeavour to build open trusting relationships with all our families, our school and the wider community.
Numbers Funded
The Out of School Hours Program is funded for 45 places in the morning and 45 places in the afternoon.
Staff Qualifications
The School Council employs three staff for the Programs.
All staff are experienced in the provision of care and organisation of activities for children and are all Diploma Qualified.
Program Times
The Before School Program operates during school terms from 6.45am to 8.45am and the Aftercare Program from 3.30pm to 6pm.
Activities & Times
Each day the programs offer children a choice of activities.
These activities include art & craft, games , puzzles and the use of resources which stimulate imaginative play as well as sport equipment for use inside and outside play.
Our program supports the ‘Sunsmart Policy’ which operates in Terms One and Four.
Positive Guidance
Our program recognises that children are interacting with each other in a different social context to that of their classroom, with a range of ages mixing together in a less structured environment. Children are encouraged to involve others and to involve themselves in play; to share, to play fairly and safely; and to effectively deal with any issues that may arise.
The children are encouraged to work out solutions themselves with support, as needed from program staff.
Children are encouraged to make many of their own decisions. Older children are given extra responsibility and leadership opportunities.
Further Information
If you would like further information about our OSHC program, please contact the school office on Ph 5976 5500.
Student Wellbeing
Student wellbeing at Mornington Primary School is paramount to everything we plan and implement. The school has a Welfare & Wellbeing team coordinated by the assistant principal, which includes a school wellbeing support officer. Our school wellbeing officer is available to run small group work for students who may need extra support with their social skills, work with individual students, parents or families. Our assistant principal and wellbeing officer are also able to connect students and families with a range of community services and organizations such as Peninsula Health Paediatric Outreach Service, Child First, The Orange Door, Good Shepherd, Anglicare, Changing Futures, the Salvation Army and OutLook. The Department of Education and Training also provide social worker, speech pathologist and psychologist services to the school on an “as needs” basis. Members of this team conduct a range of student assessments and assist in the creation of Safety Plans and Behaviour Management Plans to support students with very specific needs and to meet with and provide support to parents/caregivers.
Through liaising with Kids Hope, the Salvation Army and local church groups, the school has developed an extensive mentoring program where students from grades 1 – 6 are partnered with a caring adult who meets with them for one hour every week of the school year. Our school also implements the Story Dog program where trained reading helpers bring their dogs into school so that our students can read to them. This is an extremely successful program and highly engaging for our junior students.
Positive thinking and behaviour is promoted through infusion of the PYP learner profiles and attitudes throughout the curriculum, daily classroom interactions and is formally celebrated with weekly playground awards and termly citizenship awards across all age groups.
Mornington Primary School’s curriculum programs reinforce healthy lifestyles and healthy choices and provide students and their families with information on physical health, the importance of healthy eating and the promotion of good mental health.
Communication
At Mornington Primary School, we are currently implementing a number of different methods in order to best facilitate communication with our community.
A whole school weekly newsletter is created which provides regular updates of school news, awards and community notices. Our newsletter can be emailed to school families, is sent via Compass and can be provided in hard copy if required.
Teams throughout the school also regularly send out newsletters so that families know what is happening in relation to the curriculum, units of inquiry and how families can help their children.
We use Compass as our communication portal. All school families are encouraged to download the Compass School Management app in order to ensure communication is as efficient and effective as possible.
All current school families have been provided with login details for Compass and can either download the app or go to the compass website and type in the name “Mornington Primary School.” New families will be provided with their password upon enrolment. Please use one of the buttons to the side to navigate to one of these options.
School Council
The role of School Council is outlined in the Education and Training Reform Act 2006. In essence, the role of School Council is one of setting the long term future goals for the school and maintaining oversight of the school’s operation. It is not about running the school – that is the job of the Principal, but rather about providing guidance and assistance to the school, and a perspective that can only be gained from parents and caregivers.The role of School Council is outlined in the Education and Training Reform Act 2006. In essence, the role of School Council is one of setting the long term future goals for the school and maintaining oversight of the school’s operation. It is not about running the school – that is the job of the Principal, but rather about providing guidance and assistance to the school, and a perspective that can only be gained from parents and caregivers.
Mornington Primary School Council oversees the school within the Education Act and Regulations set down by the Department of Education and Training (DET) and consists of elected parent and community members, staff members and the Principal.
Mornington Primary School Council consists of 13 members
- Eight – Parent members (Elected for a period of two years)
- Three – DET (Department of Education and Training) employees (Elected for a period of two years)
- One – Community Member (Seconded for a period of up to two years)
- The Principal who is the Executive Officer
School Council meets for a minimum of two meetings per term and has four subcommittees, which any parents/caregivers are welcome to join. The subcommittees and their purposes are;
- Finance – To ensure the School’s financial and human resources are used efficiently and effectively for the benefit of the children
- Education and Policy – To oversee matters affecting the education of the children and keep school council informed of relevant educational issues, initiatives and progress.
- Buildings and Grounds – To oversee the maintenance and development of the school’s buildings and grounds
- Parents and Friends – To encourage the involvement of the school community in program assistance, fundraising and social activities
Each year about half of the positions on School Council are up for re-election. Elections are held in February each year and will be advertised in our school newsletter. If you would like to find out more about School Council, please come in to the school to ask, or visit
https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/school-council-overview/overview
Parents & Friends
Mornington Primary School has a committed and active Parents and Friends Committee. Anyone is welcome to join, whether that be for social reasons, fundraising or helping out in various ways. The committee generally meets twice a term and is always ready to welcome new members. Our weekly newsletter often contains information from Parents and Friends, and they are the group responsible for organising some of our biggest and most fun events such as the annual Easter Parade, Christmas concert and school discos.
Uniform
Mornington Primary School has a compulsory school uniform which is smart, comfortable and unisex. Our school uniform develops a sense of unity and belonging, establishes our identity within the wider community, provides practical clothing for school activities and eliminates possible peer pressure caused by competition with casual clothes.
Our uniform colours are “ink” and white, with the school logo on all outer clothing. Our uniform supplier is PSW who operate a store at 1/22 Watt Road, Mornington (ph 9768 0346). Opening hours: Tuesday – Friday 9am – 5pm and Saturday 10am – 1pm. Their friendly staff will be able to assist with any queries. Our school uniform policy can be found on this website.
Canteen
Stir Crazy Kids operates a healthy canteen at our school every day. The canteen is open before school for families if they would like to purchase hot chocolate or coffee. Lunch orders can be submitted through the classroom or online. Students are also able to purchase food at the canteen during recess and lunchtime. Throughout the year our canteen staff also offer after school cooking lessons for students.