Education

ANNUAL REPORT – EDUCATION SUB COMMITTEE

2025 has been a year of strong achievement and celebration at Murrumbeena Primary School. We began with a clear 2025 Overview, setting the direction for learning and community engagement. Throughout the year, students showcased their talents and learning through key events including Reconciliation Week and our Indigenous Assembly performance in May, the Year 6 Market Day and STEM Exhibition Week in June and July, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Day and Book Week in August, our School Production in September, and the Book Fair in October.

Our NAPLAN results were particularly pleasing, with Year 3 Mathematics achieving the highest results across our network of schools — an outstanding accomplishment for our students and staff. We were also proud to gain approval as a SunSmart member school through the Cancer Council Victoria SunSmart School Program. This recognition strengthens our sun protection practices, supports our OHS obligations in UV risk reduction, and aligns our policy with best practice standards in skin cancer prevention

Looking ahead to 2026, we are focused on strengthening communication, student wellbeing and continuous improvement. Our website will be updated to reflect our various curriculum and wellbeing programs and commitment to the IB .  Our website aims to better showcase leadership and the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden program. We will continue to build student cyber safety capacity, with Year 5/6 students undertaking training, a “Think U Know” parent information session delivered by the Australian Federal Police in Term 1 and student incursions to support safe online behaviours.

Our eSafety processes will be strengthened through the MPS eSafety Checklist, which tracks behaviour, frequency and impact to guide consistent responses to online conduct both inside and outside the classroom.

Policy development remains a priority, with updated Asthma, Attendance, Student Dress Code, Photographing/Filming/Recording Students, Sun Protection and 2025 PYP policies (Assessment and Reporting, Language and Academic Honesty). We also look forward to important discussions arising from our upcoming 2026 PYP Evaluation and the Student Representative Council members will be reviewing the Student Attitudes to School Survey data to ensure our strategic planning continues to reflect the voice of our students and community.

Thank you to Fiona Sewell for convening the sub committee and members Fiona Boyer and Maisie Barry for their review and recommendations.

School Council Education Sub-Committee Update – 27 April

Convenor: Angela Houghton

Members: Steph McPherson, Brenton Czorny, Maisie Barry and Paula Bain.

The Education Sub-Committee met on 27 April to continue its work supporting teaching, learning, and school improvement.

During the meeting, the committee agreed on its purpose and a shared code of conduct to guide how members work together. There was also discussion about how the school sets its goals through the School Strategic Plan and Annual Implementation Plan, and how the committee supports the review of school policies.

The group explored how the school monitors and reviews policies, using guidance from the Department of Education, to ensure they remain up to date and effective.

We also discussed parent understanding of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme. Committee members felt that while not all parents have in-depth knowledge, they generally feel informed and know where to find further information, particularly through the school website.

The committee reviewed results from the 2025 Parent Opinion Survey. Overall, results were very positive, with our school performing above similar schools and state averages. A focus area identified was School Ethos and Environment, particularly around ensuring parents are aware of the school’s strengths and improvement priorities.

To support this, a draft parent information pamphlet was shared. This resource explains the school’s vision, goals, and improvement actions, as well as providing information about the IB programme. The committee provided helpful feedback, and once updated, the pamphlet will be shared with all families (both digitally and in print) next week.

We are also considering sharing similar updates at the beginning of each term and will be seeking parent feedback on this approach.